Holm, Jennifer L, and Matthew Holm. Babymouse Our Hero. New York: Random House, 2005.
This book was about a little girl who just can't seem to have everything fall in to place. She has such a spunky personality how can you not help but like her?! After conquering dodgeball and finally defeating Felicia Furrypaws, Babymouse thinks she is on top of the world! But, little does she know what is lurking around the corner to stuff her into her dreaded killer locker. I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not read comic books when I was growing up so I was unfamiliar with the format. But, that was easy to get over and the content of the book was amazing. It was hilarious! I feel like any child would love this book and I would highly recommend it to my students.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Stuart's Cape Craft Lesson
Pennypacker, S. Stuart's Cape. Illus. Martin Matje. New York NY: Scholastic/Orchard Books, 2002.
Discussion
I think that every once in a while it is okay to go outside the box with an assignment and let the kids have fun! Stuart's Cape is all about imagination, superheroes and letting this little boy have fun. I feel it is important for kids to have fun, even if they are in the classroom. I would use this assignment for fifth graders in an art class and then have them do some creative writing on their art project. I am hoping this stimulates their imagination and helps them be creative in their writing.
How to Teach It
I would let the class read this book together for an all class read aloud. After we finished reading I would explain to them that for this assignment they are going to let their imaginations run wild. I would supply everyone with a piece of cloth made into a cape. They are going to design their capes however they choose! They can paint it, color it, cut it and whatever else they think of. But, the design of their cape has to fit in with their writing assignment. After they design their cape they will write a description of it and what it helps them do. Their writing has to be done with correct grammer, punctuation and sentence structure. They will then wear their cape and present it to the class and turn in their writing assignment.
Discussion
I think that every once in a while it is okay to go outside the box with an assignment and let the kids have fun! Stuart's Cape is all about imagination, superheroes and letting this little boy have fun. I feel it is important for kids to have fun, even if they are in the classroom. I would use this assignment for fifth graders in an art class and then have them do some creative writing on their art project. I am hoping this stimulates their imagination and helps them be creative in their writing.
How to Teach It
I would let the class read this book together for an all class read aloud. After we finished reading I would explain to them that for this assignment they are going to let their imaginations run wild. I would supply everyone with a piece of cloth made into a cape. They are going to design their capes however they choose! They can paint it, color it, cut it and whatever else they think of. But, the design of their cape has to fit in with their writing assignment. After they design their cape they will write a description of it and what it helps them do. Their writing has to be done with correct grammer, punctuation and sentence structure. They will then wear their cape and present it to the class and turn in their writing assignment.
Chapter 13
Tunnell, Michael O. and James S. Jacobs. Children's Literature, Briefly. 4e. Upper Sadle River NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall, 2008.
This chapter discusses all the different types of biographies and what each kind encompasses. I liked this chapter because I learned something new and thought of innovative ways to use biographies in my classroom someday. I have to say, I was actually surprised at how many different types of biographies there were! I had no idea! I remember having to read biographies when I was in elementary school and then having to give a report of that persons life! BORING! It was always the same. I would think up something new and different to have kids enjoy reading these. I think a key factor in having kids enjoy reading biographies, is letting them choose a subject or someone that interest them. If they have to read about someone they feel no connection with or think is boring, they will end up not liking biographies! I really liked the idea of picture book biographies and exposing them to kids at a younger age. Maybe you could use them to introduce a certain topic or a certain subject!
This chapter discusses all the different types of biographies and what each kind encompasses. I liked this chapter because I learned something new and thought of innovative ways to use biographies in my classroom someday. I have to say, I was actually surprised at how many different types of biographies there were! I had no idea! I remember having to read biographies when I was in elementary school and then having to give a report of that persons life! BORING! It was always the same. I would think up something new and different to have kids enjoy reading these. I think a key factor in having kids enjoy reading biographies, is letting them choose a subject or someone that interest them. If they have to read about someone they feel no connection with or think is boring, they will end up not liking biographies! I really liked the idea of picture book biographies and exposing them to kids at a younger age. Maybe you could use them to introduce a certain topic or a certain subject!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Stuart's Cape
Pennypacker, S. Stuart's Cape. Illus. Martin Matje. New York NY: Scholastic/Orchard Books, 2002.
This book was about a little boy with a very active imagination! He is very bored until he puts on his "cape" and it takes him on wonderful adventures to meet amazing people. He flys, meets a dinosaur and a horse, his cat turns into the garbage man and he grows toast as big as a matress! I really , really enjoyed reading this book and it was such an easy read. This book uses such great imagery to paint pictures for the reader, and I really got caught up in Stuart's imagination. This would be a great book to introduce to the reader who is tired of picture books but not quite ready for a longer chapter book. AWESOME BOOK!
This book was about a little boy with a very active imagination! He is very bored until he puts on his "cape" and it takes him on wonderful adventures to meet amazing people. He flys, meets a dinosaur and a horse, his cat turns into the garbage man and he grows toast as big as a matress! I really , really enjoyed reading this book and it was such an easy read. This book uses such great imagery to paint pictures for the reader, and I really got caught up in Stuart's imagination. This would be a great book to introduce to the reader who is tired of picture books but not quite ready for a longer chapter book. AWESOME BOOK!
Sidewalk Circus Craft Lesson
Fleischman, Paul and Hawkes, Kevin. Sidewalk Circus. Picture book. Cambridge MA: Candlewick Press, 2004.
Discussion
I think imagination is a very important trait for a child to develop. Wonderful things can come from a child having an active imagination, and the last thing I feel we as future teachers should do is supress that!
How to Teach It
I would like the students to create their own Sidewalk Circus by using their imaginations. First I would read the book very carefully so the students can start to see the "circus" in the book. This might be easy for a child to look over if they don't use their imaginations. The students can go where ever they feel the most comfortable; the gym, library, outisde or in the luch room, and look around to imagine thier Sidewalk Circus. I feel that this will get their imaginations working and wonderful things will come when they start to get wrapped up in their own Sidewalk Circus!
Discussion
I think imagination is a very important trait for a child to develop. Wonderful things can come from a child having an active imagination, and the last thing I feel we as future teachers should do is supress that!
How to Teach It
I would like the students to create their own Sidewalk Circus by using their imaginations. First I would read the book very carefully so the students can start to see the "circus" in the book. This might be easy for a child to look over if they don't use their imaginations. The students can go where ever they feel the most comfortable; the gym, library, outisde or in the luch room, and look around to imagine thier Sidewalk Circus. I feel that this will get their imaginations working and wonderful things will come when they start to get wrapped up in their own Sidewalk Circus!
Read Aloud Plan 2
Pennypacker, S. Stuart's Cape. Illus. Martin Matje. New York NY: Scholastic/Orchard Books, 2002.
Plan:
For my second read aloud, I plan on reading Stuart's Cape to a little boy in late third grade. This little boy has a very active imagination so I am hoping that he really enjoys this book. It is my hopes that he can somewhat identify with Stuart and enjoys his adventures. I am going to read aloud to him, but I would also like him to join in on the reading. I am really hoping he likes this story as much as I did!
Journal:
I read this book to a little boy in third grade. I started out by reading the first couple pages and then asked him if he wanted to read a little. He was more than willing, and I think he really enjoyed reading to me! I decided not to read the book straight though in one day because I wanted him to participate as much as possible. Instead, I read it over about three days, each day asking him to recap what we had previously read. I was very surprised at his reading level. Although, I did help him through a few words he read very well and also comprehended the parts he read. I am really glad that I let him read and didn’t do it all myself. I also think he truly enjoyed being the one reading and making me listen!
After we finished reading I asked him what he thought of the book. I was very pleasantly surprised at how much he liked it. This little boy has such an active imagination and loves the idea of “superheroes”. He can even entertain himself by making two dirt clods into monsters that are destroying the world! He told me the part he enjoyed the most about Stuart’s Cape was when Stuart discovered he could fly, and his Aunt had to feed him Pound Cake to get him down! He said he also liked it when Stuart slept on toast because he wants his bed to be a racecar instead of a regular bed! After we finished the book I asked him if he could have any special power what it would be; his reply was that he wanted to be invisible so he could sneak in his sister’s room and scare her! I personally have no doubt this is exactly what he would do!
Plan:
For my second read aloud, I plan on reading Stuart's Cape to a little boy in late third grade. This little boy has a very active imagination so I am hoping that he really enjoys this book. It is my hopes that he can somewhat identify with Stuart and enjoys his adventures. I am going to read aloud to him, but I would also like him to join in on the reading. I am really hoping he likes this story as much as I did!
Journal:
I read this book to a little boy in third grade. I started out by reading the first couple pages and then asked him if he wanted to read a little. He was more than willing, and I think he really enjoyed reading to me! I decided not to read the book straight though in one day because I wanted him to participate as much as possible. Instead, I read it over about three days, each day asking him to recap what we had previously read. I was very surprised at his reading level. Although, I did help him through a few words he read very well and also comprehended the parts he read. I am really glad that I let him read and didn’t do it all myself. I also think he truly enjoyed being the one reading and making me listen!
After we finished reading I asked him what he thought of the book. I was very pleasantly surprised at how much he liked it. This little boy has such an active imagination and loves the idea of “superheroes”. He can even entertain himself by making two dirt clods into monsters that are destroying the world! He told me the part he enjoyed the most about Stuart’s Cape was when Stuart discovered he could fly, and his Aunt had to feed him Pound Cake to get him down! He said he also liked it when Stuart slept on toast because he wants his bed to be a racecar instead of a regular bed! After we finished the book I asked him if he could have any special power what it would be; his reply was that he wanted to be invisible so he could sneak in his sister’s room and scare her! I personally have no doubt this is exactly what he would do!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Poetry Folder
An Angel for My Friend
By: Eloise Greenfield
Greenfield, Eloise. Angels. Illus. Jan Spivey Gilchrist. New York NY: Hyperion Books for Children, 1998.
This is such a beautiful poem about friendship. I like this poem because the little boy
sounds so sincere and it is so poignant.
I want the children to write a poem about their best friend and what he or she means to them.
Castanet Clicks
By: Pat Mora
Mora, Pat. Confetti: Poems for Children. Illus. Enrique Sanchez. New York NY: Lee and Low Books, 1996.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely amazing, I think that is one of the main reasons I choose this book. I also liked the fact that it was a bilingual book.
I would use this book to teach students how to count in Spanish. I also think it would be good for ESL kids to practice counting in English.
Colors
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
This poem reminds me of the Dr. Seuss book “My Many Colored Days”. I enjoyed it because it made me feel like the child has a lot of emotions inside but doesn’t quite know how to express them.
I would use this poem to teach feelings. I might also incorporate it with the Dr. Seuss book “My Many Colored Days” to help them explain their feelings. I think these two pieces would pair nicely together!
Giant Children
By: Brod Bagert
Bagert, Brod. Giant Children. Illus. Ted Arnold. New York NY: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002.
I thought this poem was very funny and the illustrations are just as great. I think it captures what a class pet would feel like perfectly with all the children around it constantly.
I would read this poem to the children before I brought in the class pet. I don’t think I would make an assignment out of this; instead I would just hang it by our pet so the children would remember to be careful with it.
Oceans Five
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. Illus. Allison Jay. New York NY: Dial Book for Young Readers, 2002.
I choose this poem because it is a good poem to learn about geography, but it also funny so it doesn’t feel like you are actually learning.
I would use this poem and incorporate it into a geography lesson. I think it would be extremely useful in helping the students learn about the oceans; which can sometimes be hard to remember!
People Are Really Good At Heart
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. Vherses: A Celebration of Outstanding Women. Creative Editions. Illus Mark Summers. Mankato MN: The Creative Company, 2005.
This poem is about Anne Frank. It is amazing to read. It paints such vivid imagery of Anne Frank and her plight.
I would use this poem when we begin to talk about Anne Frank, probably in the 5th grade. I would read this before we even begin to talk about the Holocaust as a lead in to the subject.
Smart
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends.. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
I think most children are like this child in the poem. Every child thinks that if you get more of something it is better, never mind the fact that the child is getting less money each time! I am sure I was like this; I was the child that would rather get two quarters instead of one dollar!!
I remember learning how to count money in elementary school and I think this would be a good introduction to that lesson.
Texas Prayer
By: David Davis
Davis, David. Texas Mother Goose. Illus. Sue Marshall Ward. Gretna Louisiana: Pelican Publishing, 2006.
Though this is a short poem, I really enjoyed it. Everyone loves the state we live in, and we should be proud of where we come from!
I would hang this poem in my classroom for everyone to enjoy. I think it is relatable because we all love the state we live in!
Twinkle, Twinkle, Texas Star
By: David Davis
Davis, David. Texas Mother Goose. Illus. Sue Marshall Ward. Gretna Louisiana: Pelican Publishing, 2006.
I liked this poem not only because it is a Mother Goose poem, but also because it is a TEXAS Mother Goose poem. It puts a Texas twist on the regular version and could be very relatable in the classroom, especially in West Texas.
I would use this poem for the younger grades when they are just learning about Mother Goose. I would read the regular Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and then this version and see which one they like better.
What Is Science?
By: Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Dotlich, Rebecca Kai. Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. Illus. Virginia Halstead. New York NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 1999.
I really enjoyed the illustration that accompanied this poem. I also think it encompasses what science is perfectly for someone that is just delving into the subject!
I would use this poem as an introduction to a science lesson. I think it would great for a class that is just beginning to learn more about science.
What Are You, Wind?
By: Mary O’Neill
O’Neill, Mary. Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. Illus. Virginia Halstead. New York NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 1999.
I think my favorite part of this poem and the whole book is the pictures. They are so bright and fun. I feel if a child picked up this collection of poems they would no doubt enjoy all of them. This poem is also fitting because of the region we live in, windy west Texas!
I would use this poem to introduce a science lesson on weather and wind. I think every student could relate to this poem especially since we definitely now what wind is like!
Bad Words
By: Brod Bagert
Bagert, Brod. Giant Children. Illus. Ted Arnold. New York NY: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002.
I remember being little and my mom telling me never say the words I CAN’T. This poem reminds me of my childhood and my mother. It is perfect to build up a child’s self esteem and make them understand they can do anything.
I think this is a perfect poem to read to a class at the beginning of the year. A child should never think they CAN’T do something. I would like to have the children write down at the beginning of the year a list of things they want to accomplish. As they get these things done they can mark them off on their list. I think this will build up their self esteem.
Christopher Columbus
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. Illus. Allison Jay. New York NY: Dial Book for Young Readers, 2002.
I like poems like this when I was in school, especially when it had to do with my name. Though this one does not have someone’s name in it, it is helping the students learn about Christopher Columbus.
I think this would be useful in helping the students learn about Christopher Columbus. I would read it aloud and then give them copies to keep. I would also let them write a poem like this but with their name!
Fourth of July Night
By: Dorothy Aidis
Aidis, Dorothy. The Free and the Brave: A Collection of Poems about the United States. Illus. Sara Rojo Perez. Minneapolis MN: Compass Point Books, 2004.
I personally love the Fourth of July and that is one reason I selected this poem. I think every child loves July 4th for everything it includes, fireworks, good food, swimming and sun. They may not know exactly what the holiday stands for; they just know they enjoy it!
I would use this poem to teach alliteration to students. I believe it would work well because it has good examples of alliteration throughout (wheels whirling, spit sparks, flowers falling).
Hector the Collector
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends.. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
I liked this poem because the reader can tell all these things meant so much to this little boy. He could find anything and make it into a treasure that he adored. Someone else’s trash is another person’s treasure!
I think this is a good poem to work on rhyming skills for children. Almost each line has a pair of rhyming words for the children to identify and learn.
Pencils
By: Barbara Esbensen
Tunnell, Michael O. and James S. Jacobs. Children's Literature, Briefly. 4e. Upper Sadle River NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall, 2008.
I like this poem because I thought I was so creative how the author made it seem how all of a child’s ideas are bottled up in a pencil. That tiny pencil brings all the child’s ideas to life.
After I read this poem I would like to give the children one blank piece of paper and a pencil. I want to see what they can come up with from their imagination. Whether it be a poem, story or picture it will be interesting to see what their pencil brings to life!
Skyscraper
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. Vherses: Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape. Illus. Lisa Desimini. New York NY: Simon & Schuster, 1998.
I always loved this type of poem. I think they are fun to read and fun to write. They test your creativity and your writing skills.
I would use this poem to teach my students how to write a poem that takes shape. I hope they will have as much enthusiasm for them as I did.
The Dirtiest Man In The World
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
This is one of the poems I can remember very well from my childhood. I loved it when I first heard it as a child and finding it to reread made me reminisce of the great memory I had with it.
This is one of the poems that I would put on the board for the children to enjoy. I wouldn’t read it out loud; it would just be up there for them to see. At the end of the week I might ask who has read the poem on the board and ask what they thought of it! It is my hopes that if they see it and read it, they will enjoy it as much as I did.
What I’ve Learned At School
By: Robert Pottle
Pottle, Robert. I’m Allergic To School. Illus. Mike and Carl Gordon. http://www.gigglepoetry.com/poem. Meadowbrook Press.
I thought this poem was hilarious. It is all the things kids want to do at school but can’t because they should know better! The child is learning all these things but can’t figure out why he is getting in so much trouble!
I would use this poem for the early grades to teach manners. When children first come to school they may not know exactly how to act! I would use to teach them the things they should NOT do.
When Riddles Come Rumbling
By: Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Dotlich, Rebecca Kai. When Riddles Come Rumbling: Poems to Ponder. Illus. Karen Dugan. Honesdale PN: Wordsong: Boyds Mills Press, Inc., 2001.
I enjoyed this poem because of its creativity. It didn’t have an individual title but if you read it carefully and you are able to look at the illustration, you can see it is about a rollercoaster.
Every child has been to an amusement park or to a fair. I would like to have them write something like this poem. They would be able to pick anything at the fair or amusement park and write a poem describing it without telling what it is!
By: Eloise Greenfield
Greenfield, Eloise. Angels. Illus. Jan Spivey Gilchrist. New York NY: Hyperion Books for Children, 1998.
This is such a beautiful poem about friendship. I like this poem because the little boy
sounds so sincere and it is so poignant.
I want the children to write a poem about their best friend and what he or she means to them.
Castanet Clicks
By: Pat Mora
Mora, Pat. Confetti: Poems for Children. Illus. Enrique Sanchez. New York NY: Lee and Low Books, 1996.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely amazing, I think that is one of the main reasons I choose this book. I also liked the fact that it was a bilingual book.
I would use this book to teach students how to count in Spanish. I also think it would be good for ESL kids to practice counting in English.
Colors
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
This poem reminds me of the Dr. Seuss book “My Many Colored Days”. I enjoyed it because it made me feel like the child has a lot of emotions inside but doesn’t quite know how to express them.
I would use this poem to teach feelings. I might also incorporate it with the Dr. Seuss book “My Many Colored Days” to help them explain their feelings. I think these two pieces would pair nicely together!
Giant Children
By: Brod Bagert
Bagert, Brod. Giant Children. Illus. Ted Arnold. New York NY: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002.
I thought this poem was very funny and the illustrations are just as great. I think it captures what a class pet would feel like perfectly with all the children around it constantly.
I would read this poem to the children before I brought in the class pet. I don’t think I would make an assignment out of this; instead I would just hang it by our pet so the children would remember to be careful with it.
Oceans Five
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. Illus. Allison Jay. New York NY: Dial Book for Young Readers, 2002.
I choose this poem because it is a good poem to learn about geography, but it also funny so it doesn’t feel like you are actually learning.
I would use this poem and incorporate it into a geography lesson. I think it would be extremely useful in helping the students learn about the oceans; which can sometimes be hard to remember!
People Are Really Good At Heart
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. Vherses: A Celebration of Outstanding Women. Creative Editions. Illus Mark Summers. Mankato MN: The Creative Company, 2005.
This poem is about Anne Frank. It is amazing to read. It paints such vivid imagery of Anne Frank and her plight.
I would use this poem when we begin to talk about Anne Frank, probably in the 5th grade. I would read this before we even begin to talk about the Holocaust as a lead in to the subject.
Smart
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends.. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
I think most children are like this child in the poem. Every child thinks that if you get more of something it is better, never mind the fact that the child is getting less money each time! I am sure I was like this; I was the child that would rather get two quarters instead of one dollar!!
I remember learning how to count money in elementary school and I think this would be a good introduction to that lesson.
Texas Prayer
By: David Davis
Davis, David. Texas Mother Goose. Illus. Sue Marshall Ward. Gretna Louisiana: Pelican Publishing, 2006.
Though this is a short poem, I really enjoyed it. Everyone loves the state we live in, and we should be proud of where we come from!
I would hang this poem in my classroom for everyone to enjoy. I think it is relatable because we all love the state we live in!
Twinkle, Twinkle, Texas Star
By: David Davis
Davis, David. Texas Mother Goose. Illus. Sue Marshall Ward. Gretna Louisiana: Pelican Publishing, 2006.
I liked this poem not only because it is a Mother Goose poem, but also because it is a TEXAS Mother Goose poem. It puts a Texas twist on the regular version and could be very relatable in the classroom, especially in West Texas.
I would use this poem for the younger grades when they are just learning about Mother Goose. I would read the regular Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and then this version and see which one they like better.
What Is Science?
By: Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Dotlich, Rebecca Kai. Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. Illus. Virginia Halstead. New York NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 1999.
I really enjoyed the illustration that accompanied this poem. I also think it encompasses what science is perfectly for someone that is just delving into the subject!
I would use this poem as an introduction to a science lesson. I think it would great for a class that is just beginning to learn more about science.
What Are You, Wind?
By: Mary O’Neill
O’Neill, Mary. Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. Illus. Virginia Halstead. New York NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 1999.
I think my favorite part of this poem and the whole book is the pictures. They are so bright and fun. I feel if a child picked up this collection of poems they would no doubt enjoy all of them. This poem is also fitting because of the region we live in, windy west Texas!
I would use this poem to introduce a science lesson on weather and wind. I think every student could relate to this poem especially since we definitely now what wind is like!
Bad Words
By: Brod Bagert
Bagert, Brod. Giant Children. Illus. Ted Arnold. New York NY: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2002.
I remember being little and my mom telling me never say the words I CAN’T. This poem reminds me of my childhood and my mother. It is perfect to build up a child’s self esteem and make them understand they can do anything.
I think this is a perfect poem to read to a class at the beginning of the year. A child should never think they CAN’T do something. I would like to have the children write down at the beginning of the year a list of things they want to accomplish. As they get these things done they can mark them off on their list. I think this will build up their self esteem.
Christopher Columbus
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. Illus. Allison Jay. New York NY: Dial Book for Young Readers, 2002.
I like poems like this when I was in school, especially when it had to do with my name. Though this one does not have someone’s name in it, it is helping the students learn about Christopher Columbus.
I think this would be useful in helping the students learn about Christopher Columbus. I would read it aloud and then give them copies to keep. I would also let them write a poem like this but with their name!
Fourth of July Night
By: Dorothy Aidis
Aidis, Dorothy. The Free and the Brave: A Collection of Poems about the United States. Illus. Sara Rojo Perez. Minneapolis MN: Compass Point Books, 2004.
I personally love the Fourth of July and that is one reason I selected this poem. I think every child loves July 4th for everything it includes, fireworks, good food, swimming and sun. They may not know exactly what the holiday stands for; they just know they enjoy it!
I would use this poem to teach alliteration to students. I believe it would work well because it has good examples of alliteration throughout (wheels whirling, spit sparks, flowers falling).
Hector the Collector
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends.. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
I liked this poem because the reader can tell all these things meant so much to this little boy. He could find anything and make it into a treasure that he adored. Someone else’s trash is another person’s treasure!
I think this is a good poem to work on rhyming skills for children. Almost each line has a pair of rhyming words for the children to identify and learn.
Pencils
By: Barbara Esbensen
Tunnell, Michael O. and James S. Jacobs. Children's Literature, Briefly. 4e. Upper Sadle River NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall, 2008.
I like this poem because I thought I was so creative how the author made it seem how all of a child’s ideas are bottled up in a pencil. That tiny pencil brings all the child’s ideas to life.
After I read this poem I would like to give the children one blank piece of paper and a pencil. I want to see what they can come up with from their imagination. Whether it be a poem, story or picture it will be interesting to see what their pencil brings to life!
Skyscraper
By: J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. Vherses: Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape. Illus. Lisa Desimini. New York NY: Simon & Schuster, 1998.
I always loved this type of poem. I think they are fun to read and fun to write. They test your creativity and your writing skills.
I would use this poem to teach my students how to write a poem that takes shape. I hope they will have as much enthusiasm for them as I did.
The Dirtiest Man In The World
By: Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, Shel. Where The Sidewalk Ends. New York NY: Harper & Row, 1974.
This is one of the poems I can remember very well from my childhood. I loved it when I first heard it as a child and finding it to reread made me reminisce of the great memory I had with it.
This is one of the poems that I would put on the board for the children to enjoy. I wouldn’t read it out loud; it would just be up there for them to see. At the end of the week I might ask who has read the poem on the board and ask what they thought of it! It is my hopes that if they see it and read it, they will enjoy it as much as I did.
What I’ve Learned At School
By: Robert Pottle
Pottle, Robert. I’m Allergic To School. Illus. Mike and Carl Gordon. http://www.gigglepoetry.com/poem. Meadowbrook Press.
I thought this poem was hilarious. It is all the things kids want to do at school but can’t because they should know better! The child is learning all these things but can’t figure out why he is getting in so much trouble!
I would use this poem for the early grades to teach manners. When children first come to school they may not know exactly how to act! I would use to teach them the things they should NOT do.
When Riddles Come Rumbling
By: Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Dotlich, Rebecca Kai. When Riddles Come Rumbling: Poems to Ponder. Illus. Karen Dugan. Honesdale PN: Wordsong: Boyds Mills Press, Inc., 2001.
I enjoyed this poem because of its creativity. It didn’t have an individual title but if you read it carefully and you are able to look at the illustration, you can see it is about a rollercoaster.
Every child has been to an amusement park or to a fair. I would like to have them write something like this poem. They would be able to pick anything at the fair or amusement park and write a poem describing it without telling what it is!
Sidewalk Circus
Fleischman, Paul and Hawkes, Kevin. Sidewalk Circus. Picture book. Cambridge MA: Candlewick Press, 2004.
I thought this was an interesting book. I do like the idea of the children being allowed to make the story their own, and make their own words for the story. Although, it might be a little hard for kids to pick up on the pictures. I think that you have to be able to look closely at the pictures to pick up on the "Sidewalk Circus", and that might be a little hard for children to do. I personally liked the illustrations in the book, but, I was also never afraid of clowns growing up! I found myself going into my imagination just like the child in the book would!I know alot of children that are afraid of clowns and circus' so they might be a little terrified by this! But, all in all, I feel this is a good book to develop a childs imagination!
I thought this was an interesting book. I do like the idea of the children being allowed to make the story their own, and make their own words for the story. Although, it might be a little hard for kids to pick up on the pictures. I think that you have to be able to look closely at the pictures to pick up on the "Sidewalk Circus", and that might be a little hard for children to do. I personally liked the illustrations in the book, but, I was also never afraid of clowns growing up! I found myself going into my imagination just like the child in the book would!I know alot of children that are afraid of clowns and circus' so they might be a little terrified by this! But, all in all, I feel this is a good book to develop a childs imagination!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)