The ALA Youth Media Awards are a week away so I could write this post about why I think Watercress by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Jason Chin will be an award winner. Instead, I am going to write about how Watercress can be used in the classroom to support social emotional learning. We have… Continue reading Watercress
Tag: read aloud
Circle Round
Circle Round by Anne Sibley O'Brien, illustrated by Hanna Cha is a lovely book I discovered that can be used with multiple hooks in the classroom. First, it's a simple counting book and book about circular items. Second, it's a beautiful picture book of inclusion, featuring a diverse cast of children who include everyone in… Continue reading Circle Round
Ten Beautiful Things
Recently on Twitter, Tara Lazar asked people to give a shout out to picture books published during the pandemic that they thought hadn't received enough attention. I read through the chat and stumbled upon this book. The beautiful cover and the title caught my attention. When I read the reviews and learned it was about… Continue reading Ten Beautiful Things
Zonia’s Rain Forest, written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
We all must answer. Zonia lives with her loved ones in her home in the Amazon rain forest. Each day the rain forest calls for her to explore, and she does. She greets the many animals of the forest, the Blue morpho butterfly, the Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, the Amazon river dolphin, and… Continue reading Zonia’s Rain Forest, written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
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
Amara and the Bats
Amara and the Bats models ways student can channel their concerns for the environment into civic action. Its not uncommon these days for young readers to be aware of challenges facing our planet's ecosystems and their most vulnerable creatures. Amara and the Bats by #KidLit4Climate campaign founder, Emma Reynolds aims to inspire the next generation of… Continue reading Amara and the Bats
Welcome to Our Reading Community
I'd like you to think for a moment about what we might share with other kids and teachers about our reading community. What makes our reading community special? "We do Meet Someone New Monday." -N On Mondays, my students are introduced to someone who has contributed to the world in their own unique way. By… Continue reading Welcome to Our Reading Community
A Small Kindness by Stacy McAnulty
A Small Kindness It’s easy to be kind when it’s a small problem, it’s hard to be kind when it’s a big problem. - Aiden, First Grader I had popped into this first grade classroom to relieve a busy teacher as they were wrapping up a discussion on kindness. Aiden floored me with this comment and… Continue reading A Small Kindness by Stacy McAnulty
Dozens of Doughnuts
I love infusing math time with math literature. And it’s all the better when the book is about doughnuts! Dozens of Doughnuts by my critique partner Carrie Finison and illustrated by Brianne Farley is a delightful, fun, and delicious book that kids will enjoy, served with a side of math. LouAnn the bear cooks up… Continue reading Dozens of Doughnuts
Amira’s Picture Day
This week I had the pleasure of sharing an amazing story, Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi, with a family of 6 from my school. The students range in ages from 2-12 years old. Each child enjoyed the book and interacted in their own way. I was reminded of the importance of sharing books with… Continue reading Amira’s Picture Day
Big Feelings ~ are you feeling them?
The book jacket is a poster that can be used for a variety of things. Here I am introducing new feeling words. I have so much to say about the true power of this book…So many incredible things that have already happened with my students because of this book. But the thing I’m currently feeling… Continue reading Big Feelings ~ are you feeling them?
Going Up by Sherry Lee
Going Up by Sherry Lee reviewed by Susan Kennedy As we are going back to school in whatever form that is taking, hopefully we are returning to writing. I love writing with students and hearing them storytell their narrative plans. Returning to school this fall, I hope we'll start with some narratives: small moments, memoirs,… Continue reading Going Up by Sherry Lee
I Have Missed Books
A Sharing of My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano & Jillian Tamaki This was a different kind of reading summer. Normally, I go to local libraries on hot days, browse the recent releases in the children's section for hours, and check out stacks upon stacks of beautiful books. I visit small, local bookstores and linger… Continue reading I Have Missed Books
Singing with Emily Arrow
Hi Readers, Emily Arrow writes and sings songs about books. Each Tuesday, at 1:00 PM EST, she will sing live on YouTube. I hope you enjoy her songs as much as I do. https://youtu.be/TMlyVIBFI9w HAPPY READING AND HAPPY SINGING
Scott Magoon Reads Aloud The Boy Who Cried BIGFOOT!
Hi Readers, Scott Magoon posted a read-aloud of The Boy Who Cried BIGFOOT and a draw-along video. I love this story and I hope it makes you smile. https://youtu.be/9pPhnRcuCmU Happy Reading!
Awesome Read Aloud Resources
With so many students being out of school, families are looking for read alouds to keep the love of reading alive. Check out these great resources! Author Kate Messner has compiled so many resources from fellow authors and illustrators. https://www.katemessner.com/read-wonder-and-learn-favorite-authors-illustrators-share-resources-for-learning-anywhere-spring-2020/ Author Susan Tan put this YouTube channel together. Books, art, and more... Pernille Ripp compiled… Continue reading Awesome Read Aloud Resources
Oge Mora reads aloud Saturday
Hi Readers, I love this story and I love to study and learn from the way Oge writes this text. I hope you enjoy it too. Happy Reading! Tammy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_TKhaMv-cI&feature=youtu.be
Who Wet My Pants? By Bob Shea
Hi Readers, Guess what? I emailed Bob Shea to ask him if I could read his book aloud to you, and do you know what he said? He said, "YES!" Then he said something even better. Bob told me he read it aloud on YouTube and that I could share it with you. Thanks, Bob!… Continue reading Who Wet My Pants? By Bob Shea
100 Bugs! A Counting Book by Kate Narita
Hi Readers, My friend Kate Narita is the author of 100 Bugs! A Counting Book, and she is also a fourth-grade teacher. I loved Kate’s book so much that I wanted to share it with kids. Now, Kate wants to share her book with all of you. Thanks, Kate. To hear Kate read aloud her… Continue reading 100 Bugs! A Counting Book by Kate Narita
The Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya, Illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez
Today I asked my youngest daughter, Alice, to join me as we read The Three Billy Goats Buenos, written by Susan Middleton Elya and illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez. Alice has been in her pajamas all day because school is closed for the next two weeks due to the Coronavirus. It was a nice break in… Continue reading The Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya, Illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez
A Read Aloud of One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
Hi Readers, Isatou Ceesay is one of my heroes. She cleans up the environment in her community, she creates her own business, and she makes beautiful things. Here is a read aloud about her written by Miranda Paul. I hope you don't mind that Ranger and Hoppy are listening too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLQ_zBBMXSs&feature=youtu.be Do you want to… Continue reading A Read Aloud of One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
I Wonder by K.A. Holt and Kenard Pak
Do tires ever get tired? How does a clock know what time it is? These are just some of the questions children ponder in author K.A. Holt's I Wonder picture book. With beautiful, whimsy illustrations by Kenard Pak, both the text and the images capture the questions we all have thought, but didn't dare to… Continue reading I Wonder by K.A. Holt and Kenard Pak
The King of Kindergarten
The King of Kindergarten “It’s time to start kindergarten, and you know what, kid? You got this! It’s your time to shine and be the King of Kindergarten!” The King of Kindergarten joyfully written by Derrick Barnes and artfully illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton should be every kindergarten teacher's read during the sparkling-with-opportunity first few minutes… Continue reading The King of Kindergarten