Fiction vs. Nonfiction

     I used two sets of great books this year to help 2nd students compare and contrast fiction and nonfiction books.  We read one of my favorites; Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel-we read the first chapter (oh, and they loved the idea that this was a CHAPTER BOOK!!)  and compared it to Frogs and Tadpoles by Anita Ganeri and Anni Axworthy and Toads by Julie Murphy.  I didn't read but a few pages of the nonfiction titles but we looked at all the photos and talked about how nonfiction is set up different. 

Because second grade had some prior owl knowledge we did the same with Owl Babies by Martin Waddell (hmm, another of my longtime favs) and looked at Owls; Flat-Faced Flyers by Adele D. Richardson and Owls by Wayne Lynch.  Owl Babies is a great choice to use as a comparison because it gives some accurate information about owls-making it harder to decide for students.  The key element making it a fiction choice is that the owls "tell" the story to us. 

Brilliant Author Studies

     Kindergarten students are still studying Eric Carle.  We've read The Very Hungry Caterpiller, The Very Busy Spider, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle, 1, 2, 3, To the Zoo, Rooster's Off to See the World and Little Cloud.  We've made trains carrying animals and clouds floating in the sky to represent Carle's beautiful artwork.  We've also watched Eric Carle read The Very Hungry Caterpiller to us and watched a few of his stories on video.  By the end of this study Kindergarten students will really be able to recognize all things Eric Carle!!

     First Grade students are studying Nancy  Carlson, who lives only one state over in a Minneapolis suburb.  We've had a great time finding new characters in all of Carlson's books.  We've read Henry's Amazing Imagination,  I Don't Like To Read!, Harriet's Halloween Candy, Harriet and the Roller Coaster, Harriet and the Garden, and Louanne Pig Makes the Team.  Most of these books have themes that fit with the Six Pillars and making good choices so we've had some really interesting discussions!  We plan to graph the characters next week. 

    Second Grade students have enjoyed the art of Graeme Base for the last three weeks.  We've read Jungle Drums, Animalia and The Water Hole; all books of his representing the natural world and all its beauty.  His books have offered a new look at the world and students have  enjoyed discoving his books. 

    Third Grade students have studied author, Eve Bunting.  We've read a few of her fun books that focus on imagination such as Little Badger; Terror of the Seven Seas and Mouse Island but we've also read a few of her more thought-provoking books like Fly Away Home, Some Frog! and The Wednesday Surprise.  With these titles we've discussed Author's Purpose and come up with the problems of homelessness, divorced families and an irresponsible Daddy and how important reading is (literacy) issues.   What authors do you love?  Stop in and find a new author today...

Great Library Books about the Library, of course!!

Here is a list of books we read at the beginning of the year to understand what a library is in our lives as students and humans in the world.  I always want students to know that what I teach them inside our library doors makes a difference outside the doors of our school as well. 

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen; illustrated by Kevin Hawkes:

This is a well-written tale with dreamy illustrations that make you just want to fall into the book  A lion comes to visit the public library and the head librarian lets him stay as long as he learns not to roar.  The lion arrives early every day for storytime and finds joy in helping the librarians by dusting encyclopedias, licking overdue notices, and as a step stool for small children.  He loves being the library lion until Miss Merriweather falls and he roars to get help.  The kids love the idea that the lion is forgiven and invited back to the library-after all libraries truly are generally very forgiving places! 

Reading Makes You Feel Good by  Todd Parr:

This is a great list book with perfectly silly illustrations and is a perfect starting point for young listeners to see how important reading can be in their lives.  It has a catchy "refrain" of and you can do it anywhere!, which students love to repeat with you.  At the end I relay how I carry a book with me everywhere so I can read if I'm left waiting in line, stuck in traffic, or waiting at an appointment.  All the reasons to read are touched on in the book (using your imagination, recipes, following directions, traveling to new places are just a few), which provides students with a bigger reason to read than just schoolwork-or "because my teacher makes me!"  Kids will love the illustrations and Todd's word choices.

B is for Bookworm; A Library Alphabet written by Anita C. Prieto is a very informative text on all the many aspects of a library.  It begins with A is for Author;  There are thousands of books on the library shelves, just waiting for you and me.  They were written by people who love to create.  Do  you know who those people might be?  There is also tons of information in a sidebar about each topic but I didn't read that part to students.  This book introduces lots of great library vocabulary and I found a great teacher's guide by Patricia Pierce.  Of course I found the lesson plan after I had read the book but I be ready with it next year!

The Boy who was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris; illustrated by Brad Sneed:

I read this book with third grade students and they loved the idea of how helpful each librarian was at this public library.  Melvin is one curious child (we all know a Melvin or two) and he wants to know a little about everything...Marge, Betty and Leeola are the librarians who help him find out everything he is interested in.  The librarians created by Sneed are a treat and happily look like really lively librarians.  One curious child in my story circle did inquired "Where are his parents?"- we never do meet them-it is the 3 librarians who stand with him as he graduates from high school.  A nice surpise ending that will have each child smiling at the end!

The Library Pages by Carlene Morton; illustrated by Valeria Docampo:

This is a new addition to our library and students really got the whole book but then were still surprised by the ending.  The librarian is at home on maternity leave and gets a mysterious video package from students.  It seems the guest teacher likes to sleep while the "Library Pages" or helpers organize/destroy the library!  My students had shocked looks on their faces and are so happy when they find out the joke is on the sweet librarian at home!

There are many other great choices to teach library lessons-these are just a few I used this year.  What are your favorites?

Caterpillars to Butterflies

     Kindergarten and first grade students listened to The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert.  Each book talks about the life cycle stages of a butterfly and each has bright, bold illustrations to capture a young audience's attention.  Ehlert's book is nonfiction, which gave us the opportunity to talk about nonfiction information and

compare it to Carle's fiction writing which gave the same information in a funny way. 

Some Frog

Eve Bunting's book, Some Frog!  will be read this week in the library to third grade classes.
Check out this cool video of a real frog-hopping contest.

Owls Stop by Highland Elementary

    
     Second grade students recently studied owls; learning about their habitat, eating habits, and life cycle.  Linda Nebee presented a slide show about many of the animals she's rescued through the Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project.  At the end of her presentation she showed off two beautiful owls. 

Five Facts about Owls:

1. Most owls are nocturnal.
2. They are birds of prey.
3. Owls have strong feet like raptors with two toes facing foreward and two toes facing back.

4. Owls' eyes are fixed in their sockets.
5. Owls have a long, hooked bill.


Owl web sites:
 
Barn Owl Facts
Owl Facts
Birds of Prey Foundation
Mrs. Nash's class studied owls and this
is what they found.

Good books to read about school

Check out these great titles we read at the beginning of school!!

Kindergarten and first grade students have enjoyed

1. Chicken Chickens Go to School by Valerie Gorbachev. Two tiny chickens are a little afraid to be at school and mostly want to make some new friends.  After Mother Hen leaves the chickens they try to make friends with  beaver but he is busy building a tower.  During story time the two little chickens try to talk to rabbit but he is busy listening to the story.  The little chickens eventually find ways to make friends with everyone in class but not during class time.  This story emphasizes cooperation and expctations for school behavior. 

2. Hungry Monster ABC by Susan Heyboer O'Keefe.  One little boy is put in charge of showing 10 naughty little monsters all about the alphabet and how to behave in school.  Seems like the little monsters don't know what to do.  Kindergarten students love to see the mischief played out in the text and pictures of this easy alphabet book. 

3.  Read It, Don't Eat It by Ian Schoenherr.  This funny little book helps students remember how it is we treat our library books.  Laugh along with bear as he learns not to put his book in his mouth, not to leave it in the rain, not

to stand on it or eat by it.  Students love the ryhmming words and funny animal illustrations.

First Grade students also enjoyed Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell.  Molly Lou is short, buck-toothed and loud but she doesn't care because her grandmother has taught her to be a nice person and be proud of herself.  Because of her caring attitude she is able to turn a bully into a friend.  This one has funny illustrations and keeps the kids laughing while still understanding how Molly Lou is unique and kind.

Second Grade students listened to Brand New Pencils, Brand-New Books by Diane deGroat.  Gilbert and his little sister, Lola, begin the school year and are a little overwhelmed with learning all the new things about school.  Gilbert makes a new friend and likes his new teacher, Mrs. Byrd.  Their parents take them for celebration ice cream where they discover many of their classmates as well.