I finished reading my fourteenth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee, Athlete Vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack. In this story twin brothers, Russ and Owen Evans, seem to have very little in common until the new basketball coach comes to town. He orders Russ the mathlete to try out for basketball and Russ discovers that he likes it!
This was a fun, quick read. It would make a fun read aloud for third, fourth, or fifth grade classroom. It could easily be used to teach checking for understanding, making predictions, and literary elements.
Showing posts with label teaching reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching reading. Show all posts
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Thirteen Books Done!
I just finished reading my thirteenth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee, "Summer of the Gypsy Moths" by Sara Pennypacker. In this book Stella and Angel have two things in common. One they live with Stella's great-aunt and two they live there because they have no place else to be. The story unfolds with Stella's great-aunt dying. Read to find out how Stella and Angel deal with this and find places to belong.
This book would work well for teaching theme or main idea and details. Check out the discussion questions provided by the author.
This book would work well for teaching theme or main idea and details. Check out the discussion questions provided by the author.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Twelve Books Done!
The twelfth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee that I chose to read was The PS Brothers by Maribeth Boelts.
This story would work well for teaching literary elements, cause and effect, main ideas and details, and rereading the text.
On Maribeth Boelts web page she has a question answer section in which she talks about her writing. There is some useful information here that would teach students about the writing process.
This story would work well for teaching literary elements, cause and effect, main ideas and details, and rereading the text.
On Maribeth Boelts web page she has a question answer section in which she talks about her writing. There is some useful information here that would teach students about the writing process.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Eleven Books Done!
The eleventh Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee that I chose to read was Pie by Sarah Weeks. In this story young Alice loves to spend time with her Aunt Polly at her pie shop. When Aunt Polly passes away Alice's world is turned upside down. To make matters even worse Aunt Polly left her famous pie crust recipe to her cat, Lardo! Or did she?
This book could help students work on sequencing events, using prior knowledge, cause and effect, setting, character, and theme. The author also includes some readers theaters on her website this could be used to work on many different fluency strategies including reading like the author would to convey meaning. If you are interested in doing an author study or you have a student who is, Sarah Weeks has provided some wonderful suggests on how to begin on her website. Click on the gold circular emblem that says "Are You Doing an Author Study?" to get started!
This book could help students work on sequencing events, using prior knowledge, cause and effect, setting, character, and theme. The author also includes some readers theaters on her website this could be used to work on many different fluency strategies including reading like the author would to convey meaning. If you are interested in doing an author study or you have a student who is, Sarah Weeks has provided some wonderful suggests on how to begin on her website. Click on the gold circular emblem that says "Are You Doing an Author Study?" to get started!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Ten Books Done!
The tenth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee that I chose to read was The Underdogs by Mike Lupica. The Underdogs is a story of a struggling small town and how in order to save money they are going to discontinue little league football. Will, a boy with a passion and talent for football, works to save his season.
There are so many positive themes you could highlight out of this book. It would also work well for teaching making predictions, character and setting.
It could be used as a model during a lesson on persuasive writing! Will writes from the heart and well you will have to read to find out what it gets him!
There are so many positive themes you could highlight out of this book. It would also work well for teaching making predictions, character and setting.
It could be used as a model during a lesson on persuasive writing! Will writes from the heart and well you will have to read to find out what it gets him!
Wonderful Words Wednesday!
If we are to teach students to love words, shouldn't we love words. To learn to love words join me each week in a Wonderful Words Wednesday Linky. Don't forget to link up below and share a wonderful word that you read or wrote this week. Share it's definition and origin. Then please visit the blog in front of you and after you, as a comment use their wonderful word in an inspiring sentence!
My word this week is: Epistolary: written in the form of a letter Novels that are written in epistolary form are listed as epistolary fiction.
Origin as listed on dictionary.com
Origin:
1650–60; < Latin epistolāris of, belonging to a letter. See epistle, -ar1
My word this week is: Epistolary: written in the form of a letter Novels that are written in epistolary form are listed as epistolary fiction.
Origin as listed on dictionary.com
Origin:
1650–60; < Latin epistolāris of, belonging to a letter. See epistle, -ar1
Monday, June 9, 2014
Nine Books Done!
The ninth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee that I chose to read was Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur. This story addresses the age old theme of growing up. Specifically that time period of leaving elementary school behind and entering middle school. In the book it addresses it from Elise's point of view. Elise is a 12 year old girl who is being raised by her aunt and uncle, because her parents are deceased. She struggles with school, friendship, bullies, and her identity. Sometimes you want to shake her, sometimes you want to hug her!
This book would be good for teaching character, setting, theme, problem/solution, and using prior knowledge to connect with the text.
Make sure you check out Suzanne LaFleur's website. She shares some interesting insight into her writing process, which is so important for writers to see!
This book would be good for teaching character, setting, theme, problem/solution, and using prior knowledge to connect with the text.
Make sure you check out Suzanne LaFleur's website. She shares some interesting insight into her writing process, which is so important for writers to see!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Eight Books Done!
I am making progress with my goal of reading all the 2014-2015 Iowa Children's Choice award nominees. Eight down and nine to go!
The eighth book I read was The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng. Make sure you checkout the common core activities created by the author for this book. You can also check out the illustrator, Abigail Halpin's website. In this story Anna, an American Born Chinese girls struggles with fitting in, friendship, and her Chinese heritage.
This book would work well for teaching summarizing, check for understanding, and back up and reread. It would also lend itself well to teaching theme.
I could see this book sparking some interest in China and the Chinese culture. It might lead students to further research and learning about the Chinese culture.
The eighth book I read was The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng. Make sure you checkout the common core activities created by the author for this book. You can also check out the illustrator, Abigail Halpin's website. In this story Anna, an American Born Chinese girls struggles with fitting in, friendship, and her Chinese heritage.
This book would work well for teaching summarizing, check for understanding, and back up and reread. It would also lend itself well to teaching theme.
I could see this book sparking some interest in China and the Chinese culture. It might lead students to further research and learning about the Chinese culture.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Wonderful Words Wednesday!
I have been reading several books about installing a love for reading and writing in students. One thing I have seen in several books is in order to love reading and writing we need to teach our students to CELEBRATE words.
So in my classroom this fall I am going to implement Wonderful Words Wednesday. Students will be asked to keep an eye out for wonderful words in their reading and writing. They will pick one, record its definite and word origin, and bring it to class to share in our community circle on Wednesday.
This got me thinking, if we are to teach our students to love words, shouldn't we love words. To learn to love words join me each week in a Wonderful Words Wednesday Linky. Don't for get to link up below and share a wonderful word that you read or wrote this week. Share it's definition and origin. Then please visit the blog in front of you and after you, as a comment use their wonderful word in an inspiring sentence!
My word for this week is fascination. Definition: powerful attraction; charm Word Origin: 1595–1605; < Latin fascinātiōn- (stem of fascinātiō ) a bewitching. Seefascinate, -ion Definition and word origin found on Dictionary.com. Found in the book Wondrous Words by Katie Wood Ray.
So in my classroom this fall I am going to implement Wonderful Words Wednesday. Students will be asked to keep an eye out for wonderful words in their reading and writing. They will pick one, record its definite and word origin, and bring it to class to share in our community circle on Wednesday.
This got me thinking, if we are to teach our students to love words, shouldn't we love words. To learn to love words join me each week in a Wonderful Words Wednesday Linky. Don't for get to link up below and share a wonderful word that you read or wrote this week. Share it's definition and origin. Then please visit the blog in front of you and after you, as a comment use their wonderful word in an inspiring sentence!
My word for this week is fascination. Definition: powerful attraction; charm Word Origin: 1595–1605; < Latin fascinātiōn- (stem of fascinātiō ) a bewitching. Seefascinate, -ion Definition and word origin found on Dictionary.com. Found in the book Wondrous Words by Katie Wood Ray.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Seven Books Done!
The seventh Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee I chose to read was Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. Inside Out & Back Again is a story of a young girl who left her home in Saigon when the Vietnam War reached her home and moved to Alabama with her family.
This story would be great to teach students how to create a mental image or picture. This book contains many interesting words in , so it would be a good text for tuning into interesting words.
This story would be great to teach students how to create a mental image or picture. This book contains many interesting words in , so it would be a good text for tuning into interesting words.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Six Books Done!
The sixth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee that I chose to read was Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer. In this story one little boy has a dog and has to give it up, one little boy desperately wants a dog, and one little dog needs a boy. Read on to find out how the story unfolds.
This story would work well to teach making and adjusting predictions using the text to confirm, cause and effect, problem/ resolution, and theme. It could also be used to introduce the use of similes. That said Marion Dane Bauer has created a nice discussion guide and a readers theater script to use with the book.
This story would work well to teach making and adjusting predictions using the text to confirm, cause and effect, problem/ resolution, and theme. It could also be used to introduce the use of similes. That said Marion Dane Bauer has created a nice discussion guide and a readers theater script to use with the book.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Five Books Done!
The fifth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee that I chose to read was The Fast and the Furriest by Andy Behrens. Kevin and his dog Cromwell are classic couch potatoes until Cromwell sees a dog agility contest on TV. Read on to find out how life changes for Kevin, Cromwell, and their family!
This book would work well for practicing identifying cause and effect, summarizing, and identifying main ideas and supporting details. Students could also compare and contrast beginning of the book Kevin and Cromwell to ending of the book Kevin and Cromwell.
This book would work well for practicing identifying cause and effect, summarizing, and identifying main ideas and supporting details. Students could also compare and contrast beginning of the book Kevin and Cromwell to ending of the book Kevin and Cromwell.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Four Books Done!
The fourth Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee that I chose to read was Hiss-s-s-s! by Eric A. Kimmel. Omar wants a snake, but his mom is less than thrilled. Read to find out how the adventure unfolds and how Omar and mom grow and change from their adventure.
Scattered throughout this book are some examples of onomatopoeia. Other skills you could teach using this book might be make a picture or mental image. The descriptions of certain events in the book are well written and certainly help the reader create a mental image.
I am considering using this as a read aloud in my class. Our basal has an excerpt from the story Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts and an informational text piece about snakes. I am thinking that I will read this to my class shortly before we get to that story and then we will compare and contrast the two fiction stories and use the nonfiction along with those to look at author's purpose.
Scattered throughout this book are some examples of onomatopoeia. Other skills you could teach using this book might be make a picture or mental image. The descriptions of certain events in the book are well written and certainly help the reader create a mental image.
I am considering using this as a read aloud in my class. Our basal has an excerpt from the story Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts and an informational text piece about snakes. I am thinking that I will read this to my class shortly before we get to that story and then we will compare and contrast the two fiction stories and use the nonfiction along with those to look at author's purpose.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Three Books Down
The third Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee I chose to read was Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan. William and Elinor's father left for "a while". Their mom decides to cope by adopting four dogs and a cat. Their new "family" members help them see how important they are to each other.
This story would be a good fit for many skills off the CAFE menu. The fact that it contains some illustrations makes is work for the skill cross checking. It would also work for students working on summarizing, identifying literary elements, and voracious reading.
This story would be a good fit for many skills off the CAFE menu. The fact that it contains some illustrations makes is work for the skill cross checking. It would also work for students working on summarizing, identifying literary elements, and voracious reading.
Two Books Down
The second Iowa Children's Choice Award nominee I chose to read was The Ghost of Graylock by Dan Poblocki. Neil and Bree are spending the summer with their aunts, who just happen to live by an abandoned, haunted state hospital named Graylock. Being typical kids Neil and Bree go explore Graylock. This is when the spooky twists and turns of the book begin to appear.
This story would be a good fit for students working on any number of skills of the CAFE menu. Here are a few I thought would work well with it: making predictions, inferring, asking questions as you read, and identifying literary elements.
This story would be a good fit for students working on any number of skills of the CAFE menu. Here are a few I thought would work well with it: making predictions, inferring, asking questions as you read, and identifying literary elements.
Monday, May 26, 2014
One Book Down!
I began working on my goal of reading the Iowa Children's Choice Award nominees with the book Hold Fast by Blue Balliet.
This is a fast, moving mystery about a father who disappears and his family who ends up living in a homeless shelter. The story unfolds as Early Pearl, the daughter of the missing man,works to solve the mystery and bring her father home.
Shortly into the book, I decided to use it as my first chapter book read aloud in August. Upon making this decision I consulted my copy of the Iowa Core, the Daily 5 and The CAFE Book to see what skills I could use this book to teach.
First off this book is filled with the love of words. Each chapter begins with a highlighted word or two which the author shares the origin and definition of the highlighted words with the reader. This makes it a great way to introduce your class word collector and the skill tune into interesting words.
To go along with this I am thinking about doing Wonderful Word Wednesday. Each Wednesday we would begin our day sharing in our community circle any wonderful words we have found in our reading during the prior week. This idea is not completely original, I saw a similar idea but can not recall where I saw it!
There are any number of spots in this story where you could use the check for understanding and backup and reread skills. This book could also be used to teach using prior knowledge. You could read the inside of the front cover and discuss the genre. Then have students share what they know about the mystery genre. You could discuss what you and your students know about the author. For information about the author check out her website "Blue Balliet" After reading page 5, you could have students share with an elbow partner what experience they have had with family pictures. These are just a few ideas for teaching skills using Hold Fast. If you have others chime in!
This is a fast, moving mystery about a father who disappears and his family who ends up living in a homeless shelter. The story unfolds as Early Pearl, the daughter of the missing man,works to solve the mystery and bring her father home.
Shortly into the book, I decided to use it as my first chapter book read aloud in August. Upon making this decision I consulted my copy of the Iowa Core, the Daily 5 and The CAFE Book to see what skills I could use this book to teach.
First off this book is filled with the love of words. Each chapter begins with a highlighted word or two which the author shares the origin and definition of the highlighted words with the reader. This makes it a great way to introduce your class word collector and the skill tune into interesting words.
To go along with this I am thinking about doing Wonderful Word Wednesday. Each Wednesday we would begin our day sharing in our community circle any wonderful words we have found in our reading during the prior week. This idea is not completely original, I saw a similar idea but can not recall where I saw it!
There are any number of spots in this story where you could use the check for understanding and backup and reread skills. This book could also be used to teach using prior knowledge. You could read the inside of the front cover and discuss the genre. Then have students share what they know about the mystery genre. You could discuss what you and your students know about the author. For information about the author check out her website "Blue Balliet" After reading page 5, you could have students share with an elbow partner what experience they have had with family pictures. These are just a few ideas for teaching skills using Hold Fast. If you have others chime in!
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