Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday 3.18.15

I am excited to join Alyson Beecher and other friends in this weekly challenge.  Finding great nonfiction picture books isn't a challenge anymore, there are so many wonderful books to be read now!  The challenge is sharing them with as many people as possible so they can find this wealth of literature to share with our young readers.  Thanks to Aly for starting this weekly link-up and thanks to all who join in!

Last week's post talked about using chapter book biographies.  This week I'm using picture book biographies, but for an activity that is a bit more specific.  I've noticed that my reading students have a hard time answering the question "what type of character is ____?", this question along with naming character traits or adjectives has proven to be difficult.  Often I get answers that the character "lives with their family" or is "nice".  

Using picture book biographies and turning the activity around a bit, has shown students a way to look at the characters in a new light.

I have found finding descriptive character trait words (beyond the usual nice, a good friend, etc) a difficult task for students.  Instead of starting with character traits, we started with actions.  After reading through pages of a picture book biography, I stop after one or two big pieces of action.  Not necessarily a "fighting" scene, but a part in the biography when the person has done something big in their lives.  We talk about the action of the character, what did they do, how did they do it?  Once they have an understanding of what happened, then we talk about what does that mean for the character?  "Because the character did ______, that shows __{insert describing word}__.  By going in this reverse order, the kids can concentrate on one specific part of the character's life, instead of thinking broadly.  Continue reading the book in this fashion, and students will have several great words to describe the character!  

Along the way, I have found some great picture book biographies to use with students.  Mostly thanks to the bloggers on #IMWAYR and #NFPB2015.  What amazing resources this has been!

Make sure you check these out!

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Kathryn Russell-Brown

I Am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer

Ben Franklin's Big Splash by Barb Rosenstock

Earmuffs for Everyone! by Meghan McCarthy

Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson

SoLSC 3.17.15 Posting Our Spring Break Shelfies!

 

Slice of Life is a weekly event hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Our 4th graders have been joining in on their own Monday #IMWAYR posts.  I saw a tweet by Kristin Ziemke about using padlet for IMWAYR.  I was intrigued and decided to give it a try.

Since I work with reading students, I needed to use an avenue for our Monday posts that everyone could have access to.  I knew kidblog was an option, but Kristin had mentioned using padlet and I thought this was something new, yet accessible.

Each week I set up a new page with a new date.  That way kids are constantly updating the page with new books and getting new ideas.  My reading students always blog about what they are currently reading or a book they've just recently completed.  We looked at my blog and my #IMWAYR posts and a few other blogs.  I pointed out different ways to review a book.  You can summarize, talk about lines that stick to you, point out what was special about the book, use adjectives to describe or make you feel.  But the most important thing is don't give away the ending!  We talked about giving the reader just enough information and dangling something that makes them want to read the book.

After the students review their book and sign it (boy, they love seeing their name "in print"), they take a picture of their book or find a picture from the internet.  They attach it to their review and then it's posted.  I've encouraged the kids to look at the books their classmates have posted - see something you like?  Add it to your TBR list!

We have four 4th grade classrooms and two of the classrooms are currently joining us.  The students have all week to add their reviews to the page.  Friday afternoon I review everything and lock the page.  The page is then added to the school's website.  We are currently trying to get the "word" out to parents that this is a great resource to use to get book titles - getting a peer recommendation goes so far!

I'm really excited for this week's posts.  Since it's the week before Spring Break, I thought instead of writing a review, we would post some Spring Break shelfies!  I regularly do book talks for the kids, but this time I talked to them about making Spring Break reading plans. We talked about knowing how many books would we need to have over break.  Are they going to challenge themselves?  Try something new?  Just make a goal to always have a book!  All the kids left with new books to read and a Spring Break plan.  Next up, taking some shelfies!  The kids were really excited to show what they would be reading.  I invited other 4th graders to show us their Spring Break shelfies as well as their teachers.  I can't link the page up yet, since they have all week to add their pictures. 

You could feel the excitement as the students made their plans and getting to share it through technology made it even more fun!

This is just one way I have found to have kids share their reading.  What has worked for you?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 3.16.15

This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers.  It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.

A little more normal reading week!  I've had so many holds from the library come in, so lots of picture book reading!  With all the holds, that means my #mustreadin2015 slows down a bit with these other books taking priority.  That darn 3 week checkout!

Picture Books


Hoot Owl Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor
4/5 stars
When I first started reading this story, I didn't know how I was going to feel about it.  It ended up being very cute, one I want to share with my younger readers.
It's a great mentor text for simile and metaphor, too!
The "disguises" the hoot owl comes up with will have younger audiences laughing for sure.  And his last "prey" is very amusing :)


Home by Carson Ellis
5/5 stars
This one went on my must purchase list.  First of all, the illustrations are beautiful.  I think it could also be used to talk about what makes up a home?  What is a home to you?  The simple text packs a powerful message.  
And I think I could go back and look at the illustrations days in a row and find something new!


The Thing About Spring by Daniel Kirk
3/5 stars
It was cute, but I didn't love it.  As spring arrives, Bunny is not happy about winter leaving (what????).  He's going to miss making bunny angels and snow forts.  His friends show him the fun things about this next season coming until Bunny finds how his remaining piece of winter combined with spring to make everyone happy.

Informational Texts


The Thrills and Chills of Amusement Parks by Jordan Brown
3/5 stars
I think Alyson Beecher featured this series on her blog a few weeks ago.  I'm hoping to find some readers that will be interested in this series.  I like that the science of common experiences are explained.  Make those kids think a bit!


Seeds of Freedom by Hester Bass
5/5 stars
Beautiful story about the integration that took place in the 1960.  Great mentor text how to take a smaller moment to write about - the civil rights moment is huge and so many important events took place in Alabama.  The author pinpoints the town of Huntsville, Alabama and how it tried to have a peaceful integration in 1963.  The author clearly shows how the city had more peace than violence during this tumultuous time.  This is a book I will be adding to my collection.

Transitional Chapter Books


Sofia Martinez My Family Adventure by Jacqueline Jules
4/5 stars
I found this book on Crystal Brunelle's blog a little ways back and I'm glad I was able to get it from the library.  This is a great transitional chapter book series for young kids.  There are 3 stories in the book and each story has several chapters.  Easier text and colorful illustrations will catch student's interests.  The series tells Sofia's adventures and features her familia (Spanish glossary found in the back of the book!).
Fans of Kylie Jean and Heidi Heckelbeck will find a new friend in Sofia.
I got this copy from the library, but I will be purchasing a few from this series.  I know some girls who will really enjoy these stories.

Graphic Novel


Sidekicks by Dan Santat
4/5 stars
I know I'm a little late to the game reading this one.  I've checked it out from the library before, just never got around to reading it.  It landed on the 2016 IL Bluestem Choice Award list and I knew it would be an easy sell to many of my students.  I really enjoyed the Sidekicks and their passion to help their owner!

Middle Grade


Listen, Slowly by Thannha Lai
5/5 stars
Oh my gosh.  Put this on your must read now list.  
It was such a pleasure to read.  I said on my goodreads review, I think this was the book of 2015 that I immediately hugged to my heart upon finishing it. 
I loved the main character, Mai.  She has the perfect middle grade voice.  She was sarcastic, but unsure of herself.  She wanted to please adults, but was self-centered at times.  She loved her family, but needed space.  She learned so much about herself by being put into an unfamiliar place.
Woven in with Mai's story, is Ba's story.  Ba is Mai's grandmother who is on a return trip to Vietnam to find out what really happened to her husband after the war.  Told in bits and pieces, Ba's story is as important to us as Mai's self-discovery.

Currently Reading

My adult read is Jeffrey Archer's Mightier Than the Sword.  I'm almost done with this fifth installment of the Clifton Chronicles.  I enjoy this series and I know it won't be the last one. All I can say is I'm really glad my family isn't involved in politics or business to the level the Clifton family is!
My middle grade read is The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold.
A colleague loaned me The Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim.  Have you heard of this one?

One more week and it's Spring Break reading time!

Celebrate This Week 3.13.15

It's always good to end the week on a positive note.  Sometimes we concentrate on the negatives.  We have a choice.  Choose positive.  Choose to celebrate.  I will be joining Ruth Ayres and her weekly link-up, Celebrate This Week.  Check out all the other celebrations HERE

Looking for those small celebrations can make a week end positively!

1.  Quiet swim week
Because our swim arena is being used for another swim meet this weekend, my daughter has another 5 day swim break.  While she ends up having more energy than I would like, it also meant we got to come straight home straight after school.  I cannot tell you the last time I was home by 3:30 to do nothing.  It's lovely.

2.  Glimpses of spring
We finally got some spring weather this week.  We've had our first 60 degree day up here in the north Chicago suburbs.  My daughter and I went out for a walk - well, I walked, she scootered, this afternoon.  We still have snow on the ground but it's great seeing the melted puddles.  I love feeling the sun on my face and not shivering!  I know we've got cold days ahead but I'm going to enjoy these temperatures while they are here!

3.  No socks
Small celebration, but it's a good one.  I love wearing shoes that don't require socks.  Little chilly in the mornings, but another sign spring is coming!

4.  Round one of PARCC is done
Well, for my daughter.  I was very disappointed to see her school schedule all 5 PARCC tests for 5 days straight.  I was lucky that these tests didn't completely stress my child out.  I don't think they were easy for her, but we didn't have major breakdowns.  I'm glad she's done for this round.

5.  Happy Reading Days
I received some gift cards for my birthday last week which promptly went to buying books.  They started arriving this week.  I'm looking forward to reading RollerGirl, Reading Between the Lines, and a bunch of books from the IL Bluestem Choice Awards:  Dorko the Magnificent, Sidekicks, Masterpiece and Regarding the Fountain.  Love the reading I have ahead of me!

Happy weekend :)

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday 3.11.15

I am excited to join Alyson Beecher and other friends in this weekly challenge.  Finding great nonfiction picture books isn't a challenge anymore, there are so many wonderful books to be read now!  The challenge is sharing them with as many people as possible so they can find this wealth of literature to share with our young readers.  Thanks to Aly for starting this weekly link-up and thanks to all who join in!

Our 4th grade students are currently in the middle of a biography unit.  They are reading and compiling facts.  They are using longer biographies and if they have time, they are finding additional information in picture books and internet sites.  Most of the students are reading books from the "Who Was/Is" Scholastic series.  I like these books because they present the information in a chronological order.  Kids understand timelines and they understand that there is an order to a person's life.  

To take notes we've used an outline the classroom teachers are using and then we're taking notes on post-its using a timeline order.  The classroom teachers want the bulk of information in 2 areas - the person's early life and then adult life.  The students used the table of contents to determine which chapters would cover early life and which chapters would include the adult life.  We had to have a conversation about what constitutes early life - most students don't see the teenage years and college years as early life :)

Next, students put small post-its on parts they thought were important in those chapters.  We talked about taking quick notes on the post-it note to remind us why we put the post-it note in that section.  Once the chapters are read, students lay their post-its down in order and go through and decide what information needs to be included, and what is probably extra info.  They also had to include information on a timeline, so the post-its were perfect to move from their notes section to the timeline.

This unit allowed me to have the opportunity to look at the wide variety of biographies that are out there.  The picture book biographies are great for introducing students to the stories of people who made a difference.  They are a great resource for older students to add additional information to what they already know.  Chapter book biographies can be well done or they can add confusion to students.  I noticed that some of my reading students who selected biographies of people who lived during a time period way before my students, struggled more with background knowledge.  Reading about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson was more difficult than reading about Martin Luther King Jr. only because there was a certain amount of understanding and investment in those time periods.  

And as many of us know, not all biographies are created equal.  I found a new series, "History's All-Stars" that present the information in a narrative format.  While entertaining, I think it would take a discerning reader who could separate the narrative from the facts.

One final point on chapter book biographies, it is sometimes interesting to see if there was a relationship between the author and the subject. That gives me information that the author might have access or additional knowledge as a result of a working relationship.  Other author bios let you know if there was a relationship with the person or if the author is someone who has made a name for themselves writing biographies. 

Here are some of the series I looked at during this biography unit:

"Who Is/Was" series



"I Am" series



"A Biography for Kids" series



"History's All-Stars" series

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 3.09.15

This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers.  It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.

Small amount of reading this week as I'm gearing up to head to WDW to run 19.3 "happy" miles through Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!  
Shoot.... I wrote that a couple of weeks ago.... then never had the time to hit the publish button.  And now it's a couple of weeks later.  I really became a "reading in the edges" reader lately.  So busy, but I read here and there. I finally have the time to share a few reading treasures!  Here's 3 weeks of reading!


Picture Books


Finding Spring by Carin Berger
4/5 stars
I know how Maurice the cub feels in this books.  He's looking for signs of spring when he's supposed to be hibernating.  I think I'm supposed to be hibernating until spring gets here!  Too much winter.


Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
4/5 stars
I know a bunch of kids are going to be excited to see this book after loving Press Here and Mix It Up!  Glad I found this book through other Monday bloggers!


Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
5/5 stars
Loved this story!  I wasn't sure what to expect - was it going to be similar to The Day the Crayon's Quit?  This is an original story that teaches so much.  It's going to be a great story to share and talk about.


Up in the Garden Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
5/5 stars
Over and Under the Snow is a book I enjoy sharing in the winter time.  There is always amazement and interest in what really lives in the snow.  I was looking forward to this follow up, and it didn't disappoint.  Although, now I'm really going to clean my garden vegetables a bit more!  We were fortunate enough to Skype with Kate Messner this week and my favorite author's story from this book is Kate sharing how she would lay down in her garden to get close to the dirt and see and hear what was happening!


Special Delivery by Philip C. Stead
5/5 stars
I must've had an interesting voice going when I read the post master's voice because my daughter said she pictured him having tattoos under his shirt!  That's the beauty of read alouds.  I love what they can spark in little minds.  This book begs to be read aloud and shared.  It's fun and Matthew Cordell's illustrations kept me going back to pages.


A Poem in Your Pocket by Margaret McNamara
4/5 stars
I think young readers are going to enjoy this book, but I loved the ideas it subtly showed - hanging pockets of poems around school.  This will be a great book to use in April!

Informational Texts


What's Great About Illinois? by Kristin Marciniak
3/5 stars
Do you have a primary or elementary class that needs books to study the states?  This new series from Lerner will be a great addition.  Basic information, not a lot of extra thrown in which is good for young readers.  Newer photographs and good informational text features.



Middle Grade


The Shadow King by Jennifer Nielson
5/5 stars
I'm really going to miss Sage and everyone.  He's turned into one of my favorite characters.  I always enjoyed the spunk, creative thinking and goodness in his character.


The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John
4/5 stars
This is going to be an easy series to sell to kids.  Miles and Niles are fun, witty and make you chuckle.  
I've seen Mack and Jory banter together a couple of times and it made this book come alive.  I can hear their voices in Miles and Niles.  The back and forth, the good guy/bad guy.  I think the two of them should be the narrators for the audio book!


Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen
4/5 stars
I enjoyed the first book to the new series by Nielsen.  It's a new setting, new problems, new twists, new characters.  I can see this new protagonist, Nic, being friends with Sage.


Adult


First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
4/5 stars 
I love Allen's books.  The happy magic, the magic that feels right.  All of her books have some, but this one is probably my favorite.  I loved the characters, especially the teenage girl, Bay.  If you're looking for some light, heartwarming adult reads, check out Sarah Addison Allen.

Currently Reading


Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai
I am loving this book. Mai's voice is spot on.
On Deck

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold
and
I'm starting the next installment of Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles, Mightier Than the Sword.  
Lots of other kid lit in the pile.  Not sure what will be first!

Happy Reading!

Celebrate This Week 3.07.15

It's always good to end the week on a positive note.  Sometimes we concentrate on the negatives.  We have a choice.  Choose positive.  Choose to celebrate.  I will be joining Ruth Ayres and her weekly link-up, Celebrate This Week.  Check out all the other celebrations HERE

Oh yikes, my last Celebrate post was exactly a month ago.  Sounds about right, life got so busy right about then.  I have found that out about life - it seems like a period of time comes when things get really really busy and something has to go.  I became a real "reading in the edges" reader this past month.  I read when I could, even if that meant it took me a couple of weeks to finish a book!  Writing took more of a backseat.  Lots of thoughts in my head, nothing on paper or typed out.  Luckily, things are calming down a bit.  Maybe not during the week, but my weekends are a bit slower.  Especially this one.  I've been looking forward to today for awhile.  I had purposely not planned anything.  Well, until tonight.  My birthday dinner.  Yup, today is my birthday and I wanted to do nothing.  I wanted time to read and time to write.  I'm doing exactly that and it feels good.  I've curled up this morning with a great book - Thanhha Lai's newest Listen, Slowly - and now I'm writing my first Celebrate post in a month.  Not a bad way to celebrate.

Here's the good things that have popped out this month:

1.  I completed Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge.  
Yup, 19.3 miles later (10k on Saturday and 1/2 Marathon on Sunday), I have 3 amazing medals, great pictures and memories, a fading tan, new Minnie Mouse gym shoes and some great race swag.  I love running in Disney.  It's not about your time, it's about the fun.  Complete the miles, but have fun while doing it.  I still don't know what my ending time was and I'm not going to worry about it.  Standing in line to get pictures with the Disney Villains was worth it!  I went away with 2 great friends and it was a wonderful long weekend.  I'm ready for warm sun and green grass to show up in my neck of the woods any day now!

1 medal for the 10k

1 medal for the 1/2 marathon

and 1 medal for being crazy enough to do both!

2.  Swimming accomplishments
I've written about my daughter's swimming feats many times and I would be a bad mom if I didn't take the time and write about her latest.  While I was running 19.3 miles, she was busy taking 43 seconds off 5 different swimming events in her regional competition.  43 seconds may not seem a lot, but usually at this point in the swim season, kids are taking maybe half a second to a couple of seconds off races.  Multiply that by 5 and you certainly do not get 43!  She had an amazing meet and I was sorry to have missed it.  I spent a few tense minutes pacing the hotel room while she swam her 500 free.  One thing that was funny, yet reminded me that she was growing up, was that I was receiving text messages from her while I was running.  Because of the hour time difference and her having to get up early to go to the meet, she was up texting with me during my race.  It gave me some motivation to keep going.
Last weekend, my daughter competed in the Wisconsin State Swimming Championship.  Most of you know my daughter has a physical disability, but she swims with able bodied swimmers.  She also competes in Paralympic Swimming.  Her coach wants her to understand what it's like to swim in championship level swimming meets to get her used to that level of competition.  He believes in her ability and thinks she'll be able to get far with her Para swimming.  He petitioned the state swimming board to allow disabled swimmers to swim in the meet as well.  It worked, but she was the ONLY disabled swimmer there.  I felt lucky that she is not self-conscious at all and it didn't bother her - truth be told, I don't think she realized she was the only one.  She swam with all the other state swimmers and had a blast being with her team.  She hit her goal of going under 40 sec in the 50 free which was so exciting to see.

This is having fun at a meet!

3.  Wait list for books
Readers are used to waiting.  Waiting for books to come in to the library.  Waiting for favorites to be published.  Waiting for books to be delivered.  But until recently, the kids I worked with never pined for books.  They never waited.  Never had a desire to wait.  But now we have lists of kids waiting for books.  Our reading kids have influenced their classmates to wait for books.  The recent push is for the Amulet books.  We have an amazing reading assistant with a steel trap mind who somehow knows where both of our copies of all 6 books are and which kids want them next.  She gets mobbed when she walks into her 2 classrooms that she supervises after lunch because kids all want to know if their time waiting for a book is done.  That's a nice change.

I know February has had more celebrations to talk about but it's my birthday and I want to get back to my reading day.  Hope you found celebrations this week (or month!) too! :)