A google search of "Día de los Muertos" picture books reveals a wide-ranging selection of texts to choose from. Being intentional about which to use as a window or mirror with ourstudents is an important aspect of our work as educators and a process worth sharing and evaluating. It’s important to start by sharing clearly… Continue reading A less than perfect journey to a more inclusive classroom: Día de los Muertos
Month: October 2021
Big Bright Feelings
Tom Percival has taken on the task of making conversations around emotions and regulation of those emotions more easily accessible to children. In a year like no other books like Ruby's Worry, Perfectly Norman, Ravi's Roar, and Ruby Finds a Worry have allowed me to initiate and continue conversations with my kindergarten students. They identify… Continue reading Big Bright Feelings
BOO! Discovering a New Genre
Who doesn’t like a good scare every now and then, especially in October? I certainly do. I like the laughing that inevitably occurs after a good scare. Fourth grade is a time when many readers are starting to transition from reading books in a series to reading more stand alone novels. It is also a… Continue reading BOO! Discovering a New Genre
The Little Blue Bridge, written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez
Ranked as my new favorite read aloud, The Little Blue Bridge is a spin off of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. This new title features Latinx characters, STEM connections, and a theme of feminism. Ruby, the female protagonist, suggests to her brothers, “Let’s go pick berries to bake in a pie”. Her brothers, taunting her… Continue reading The Little Blue Bridge, written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez
ZOO-MATE WANTED by Korrie Leer
Hello teacher friends! I hope this post finds you feeling magnificent, speeding ahead with your lessons and filled with joy from your delightful, rule-following cherubs. But if you are like me, you are struggling. Not all the time. But sometimes. The picture-perfect class community I imagined forming with my students is taking longer than expected… Continue reading ZOO-MATE WANTED by Korrie Leer
An Interview with the Illustrator
Monday Written by Lucy Branam Illustrated by Kevin M. Barry Hot off of the presses! Monday, is a newly released picture book that humorously personifies the days of the week. It tells the story of the main character, Monday, who, as everyone knows, is the worst day of the week. Monday envies every other day… Continue reading An Interview with the Illustrator
Welcome to Our Writing Community
Last month, we welcomed you to 4Q's Reading Community. This time, we'd like to share a bit about our community of writers! Here are some reasons why we think our writing community is special: "We have writing tools." -B Our literacy work at Brown School is anchored in the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project… Continue reading Welcome to Our Writing Community
Be a Tree!
Humans are imperfect. The good news about imperfection is that there's always room for growth. In Maria Gianferrari's Be a Tree!, she highlights how trees support one another through the wood wide web and encourages humans to be as supportive and community-oriented as trees. Earlier this month, our school transitioned from having classes separated from… Continue reading Be a Tree!
Celebrating Every Week
In August, I shared plans of how my second graders would create an identity frame to showcase their work throughout the year. I hoped that these personal frames would become each child's unique place in the classroom - a spot that was all about each of them. As I've gotten to know these learners, I… Continue reading Celebrating Every Week
What I Am by Divya Srinivasan
What a joy it is to return to kindergarten classrooms and be able to share a picture book with them! All nice and close on the rug, their expectant eyes peering over their masks - I had been waiting to be able to read this way for a long time. And I brought with me… Continue reading What I Am by Divya Srinivasan
It Fell From The Sky by Terry Fan & Eric Fan
Books by the Fan brothers have long entertained elementary classrooms, inspiring wonder and curiosity. Their latest collaboration, It Fell From the Sky, was one of my first read alouds of the 2021-2022 school year. It immediately sparked authentic thinking and talking about reading as students discussed the text and the illustrations. (In fact, they were… Continue reading It Fell From The Sky by Terry Fan & Eric Fan
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Mel FellBy Corey R. Tabor I've been thinking a lot about comprehension. As a K-5 literacy coach, I get a bird's eye view of our school and this view constantly has me wondering how we can all keep growing together. The last few years, I have noticed more and more kids in our upper grade… Continue reading Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
I’m Sorry by Michael Ian Black & Debbie Ridpath Ohi
by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by my writing friend Debbie Ridpath Ohi This year my school is emphasizing social emotional learning since our kiddos have lived through a pandemic which isn't over. I've been reading one picture book each week that emphasizes some characteristic that we can learn and discuss during our morning meetings. Some… Continue reading I’m Sorry by Michael Ian Black & Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Outside In by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby
Fall in New England is arguably the most beautiful season. Often a tree-produced riot of color, magical visuals flood our senses. Definitely time to get outside and possibly take a literal hike. I love so much about Outside In. It has been on my list to share for months. The illustrations beautifully crafted by Cindy… Continue reading Outside In by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby
The Cot in the Living Room
I could not love this book more. Absolutely perfect mentor text for character change. As the story begins, our main character is very jealous of the children who get to spend the night on the cot in her living room. The illustrations by Gaby D'Alessandro assist the readers as we imagine what our main character… Continue reading The Cot in the Living Room
The Alphabet’s Alphabet
Have you ever thought of the alphabet as one big happy family of relatives? That’s how they are presented in The Alphabet’s Alphabet, written by Chris Harris and illustrated by Dan Santat. Harris begins by explaining that the alphabet is just like a family and that they are all alike in many ways. He then… Continue reading The Alphabet’s Alphabet
Dear Librarian
Lydia Sigwarth's beautiful new picture book begins, "Dear Librarian, May I tell you a story? It's about me, and it's about you, and it's about my Library Home." When she was five, the author and her family moved from Colorado to Iowa while her dad searched for work. During this time, the family of nine… Continue reading Dear Librarian
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright was an unexpected surprise from a Scholastic Book Club teacher order. I got a copy at the end of last year using the last of my bonus points and tossed it in my feelings bin when I packed up my classroom in June. When I pulled it out to read… Continue reading The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright
Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers by Rajani LaRocca and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
Bina has three older brothers who annoy her and call her silly names, but she loves them anyway. When Raksha Bandhan, a holiday for brothers and sisters nears, Bina wants to make bracelets for her brothers to keep them safe. After asking each brother his favorite color, Bina and her mother buy beads. While making… Continue reading Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers by Rajani LaRocca and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
Time for School Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle As we tackle the many walks of life at school, we are constantly asking our students to define for themselves, and reveal to their community, who they are. Exploring this big question requires an inner dialogue, experiences and action. Good literature can also help as we seek to develop this awareness. Our… Continue reading Time for School Little Blue Truck