We know that a big part of the CCSS is to include more informational texts into our students' reading. I quickly discovered I had a "gap" in my reading diet - the genre of informational texts! To help me fill the gap this year, I am going to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesdays! This is a great link-up hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy. Please visit this website to see other educator's link-ups. My goal is to read at least one informational text each week and post information on the blog. The more books and subjects I read, the more I can encourage (my #OLW for 2014) other teachers to use in their classroom!
I read an amazing book this week: If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche
The bas-relief cut-paper collages are amazing. I spent more time than I want to admit pouring over the homes, imagining what it would be like to live in one of those homes. Which ones do I want to visit the most? (the white towns on Astipalaia Island, Greece) Which ones look like the most fun to play in? (the adobe homes would be fun to lift the ladders, the Venetian palace so you can step out onto your boat, or the chateau in France to run from bridge to tower) I think the conversations you would have with students would be so rich as they constantly refer back to the text for evidence for answers. Spin a globe and place your finger randomly down... what home would be used in that area of the world??
I think this book would pair well with Underworld: Exploring the Secret World Beneath Your Feet by Jane Price. Underworld is a much longer, more in depth text, but closely looking at a few of the underworld dwellings would be a great comparison.
I have been wanting to read If You Lived Here. There was talk about it being a potential Caldecott book. Underworld looks pretty interesting too. Thanks for the reminder and the new title, Michele.
ReplyDeleteWow, Michele, this book looks terrific. We often have students choose to study houses, & this will be perfect for a resource. A must have! I don't know Underworld either-will check it out. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe book seems interesting and what a great idea to pair it with another similar title. Great titles to know.
ReplyDeleteIf You Lived Here Looks fantastic! I love to peek inside the way people live, so I know I would really like that book. Thanks for sharing Underworld, too. I haven't heard of either.
ReplyDeleteI just bought If You Lived Here to share with my students. I LOVE this book. I really like the idea of Underworld too.
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