Students who have ever been made fun of or who have stood up for what is right will quickly connect with the characters in Christopher Myer's thought provoking picture book, Wings. Based on the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus, Wings is the story of a boy named Ikarus who is made fun of because he is different. Despite the snickers and snide remarks of his peers, Ikarus stays true to himself and uses his beautiful wings as they were intended: to fly. The narrator of the story, a young girl at Ikarus's school, is also made fun of because she is so quiet. She can't help but notice how Ikarus's wings droop and sag when others make fun of him. Regretfully, she doesn't say anything. As the bullying continues, she eventually finds the courage and her own voice to stand up for what is right. She boldly tells Ikarus what he needed to hear, "Your wings are beautiful." This is a story about bullying and second chances and standing up for what is right when others are being treated poorly.
Literature Connections:Wings is the perfect read aloud to spark meaningful conversations about bullying, being yourself, and standing up for others. This would also work well paired with the Greek myth Icarus and Daedalus. After reading both stories, compare and contrast the character traits of Icarus / Ikarus in each story. Discuss the authors' purpose for each story as well as why the author may have chosen to name the character Ikarus in Wings. What else could the wings in Myer's story represent? Check out the educator's guide, extension activities and vocabulary scaffold for Wings provided by RIF (Reading is Fundamental) here.
As an educator, election season is one of my favorite times of the year because of the opportunities for authentic learning experiences it provides. What better time to teach our students the power of exercising our right to vote than election day? And what better way to teach this than through the power of story?
Consider hosting a mock election with storybook characters as candidates. (See book list below for ideas.) Encourage students to consider what character traits they feel are most important in a candidate. Brainstorm each candidate's character traits as evidenced in the stories. Engage students in the planning of the voting event by making voting boxes, ballots, forming campaign teams for favored storybook characters, advertising election day details and counting the votes. *School librarians: Use this opportunity to host a school-wide mock election with storybook characters as candidates. Post or announce election updates throughout the day (or week) as each class votes.
Check out some of the election-themed children's books in the list below. These thoughtfully written children's books are the perfect conversation starters for discussing the importance of elections and the power of exercising the right to vote.
I Need My Own Country by Rick Walton is perfect as a read aloud for K-2 students as well as students in grades 3-6. Frustrated by her little brother, a young girl decides to form her own country, make her own currency and her own flag. She soon realizes the importance of citizenship in her country and the need for rules and laws.
The Class Election from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler will pull the young chapter book reader in with familiar humorous characters from the Black Lagoon. Readers will explore the importance of candidates standing up for what they believe in as characters in this story must choose the offices for which they will run.
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin is an enjoyable read aloud that is sure to spark meaningful discussion among students young and old. Duck is tired of the way Farmer Brown is running the farm so he decides to do something about it by running for office. (See video featuring this book at top of blog post.)
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio is a suitable read aloud for students in grades K-6. Grace, determined that there should be a female presidents, decides to run for president at her school's election. Grace for President would be a great introduction for an upper elementary lesson on the electoral system.
No one likes to be bullied, including Ajani and his football (soccer) buddies in South Africa. Mina Javaherbin's story is one in which children all across the globe can relate. Ajani and his friends live in poverty. Their homes are shanties. Their street is unsafe. They have little time to play between school and daily chores. But when they do find time to play, they find escape and hope in a simple game of football. They know the bullies will come again and try to take their ball. But for today they have outsmarted the bullies. Today there will be kicking, running, scoring and laughter.
This 2010 large picture book is a winner not only for it's high interest level, but for the gentle yet realistic way of handling difficult issues like poverty and bullying for young readers. A.G. Ford's illustrations are full of color and energy while also showing a range of emotions throughout the story. Literature Connections: K-5, Language Arts, Guidance, Geography, Social Studies, Physical Educaiton: Goal! would make a great discussion starter for poverty and global citizenship as well as character traits and life skills such as perseverance, overcoming obstacles and dealing with bullies.This book would be an excellent choice for a language arts mini lesson on conflict and resolution. The author's notes at the end of the book would make a great physical education tie-in about the history of football/ soccer.
Okay, I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I was never much of a reader in high school. While I enjoyed reading as a child, somewhere along the way I lost interest in reading by the time I was in high school. Don't get me wrong, I read plenty for my classes... just not so much by choice. I remember being disenchanted with the book choices in my high school library And speaking of the library, it wasn't a place I frequented as a teenager. I remember it being a quiet, boring, uninviting place.
Thankfully, my disenchantment with reading was short lived. I rediscovered the joy of reading while I was in college. Fast forward now to 2011. I just finished reading a popular YA title, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.This one took me a while to get my hands on since there was a waiting list a mile long at my public library. But it was worth the wait. I'd say it's kind of like survival skills reality show meets CSI in a disturbing futuristic kind of way. Collins draws the reader in quickly and doesn't let go till the last page. You can read a more complete review of The Hunger Games written by Bookmomma here. The Hunger Games series has captured the attention of young adults as well as those of us adults who are forever young at heart.
With so many YA books like Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games and Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series hitting the big screen, YA literature is growing in popularity among teens as well as adults. And thank goodness, gone are the days of mediocre, predictable YA books. I'm not saying all YA books are quality literature, but YA authors are becoming more crafty at grabbing and holding their readers' attention... and teens (as well as adults) are noticing.
Title: Travel Team Author: Mike Lupica Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2005 (Reprint) Genre: Young Adult Novel, Fiction Themes: Sports, Overcoming Odds, Family Relationships, Friendship Summary: Danny lives with his single mom and has always been small for his age. At 12 he wants nothing more than to be taller and make the travel basket ball team. He can deal with his height, but dealing with not making the travel team is another issue. His father, a one time basketball star, is dealing with his own disappointment after being injured in a car accident. He will never play again as a pro, but decides to put his passion for the game into forming a new team for Danny and others who should have made the travel team but were unfairly cut from the team. Curriculum Connections: Language Arts: Leisure Reading Notes: Contains realistic language including an occasional curse word. Lupica has a natural talent for hooking the interest of boys, especially those who tend to be reluctant to read on their own. Click here to visit the author's website and to find similar titles. *The author's website also has a video of a recent interview with Lupica on the Today Show.
Title: Esperanza Rising Author: Pam Munoz Ryan Publisher / Date: Scholastic / 2002 Genre: Young Adult Fiction Themes: Overcoming the odds, Mexican Revolution, Great Depression Summary: Esperanza is the only child of a wealthy Mexican farmer. During the aftermath of the Mexican Revolution her father is killed. Esperanza and her mother face many hardships and tragedy which leads them to seek new life in California as they work and live at Mexican farm labor camp. Esparanza is challenged to find a strength she didn't know she had to care for her mother and herself in a new place during the Great Depression. Curriculum Connections: Social Studies / History: Grades 4-8: Mexican Revolution, Great Depression Notes: This book is categorized "YA" or "Teen" but would also be appropriate for ages 9+. Pam Munoz Ryan's website has some great links for curriculum connections on the Mexican Revolution, recipes that pertain to the story, discussion guide for the book, and teacher and student notes from the author. http://www.pammunozryan.com/esper.html
Title: Fortunately Author: Remy Charlip Publisher / Date: Aladdin / 1993 (originally published in 1964)
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book Theme: language, birthday Summary: Charlip's creative story using an alternating pattern of "Fortunately..." / "Unfortunately" events. Curriculum Connections: K-4 Language Arts (creative writing)
Notes: Wonderful read aloud, esp. Can be effectively used as a lead-in to a "fortunately / unfortunately" creative writing activity. Interesting fact: In 1969 the title was changed from Fortunately to "What Good Luck; What Bad Luck" then eventually it was changed back to the original title.
Title: Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice Author / Illustrator: Judy Schachner Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2009 Genre: Fiction, picture book Themes: Space, animals, humor, Spanish Summary: Skippyjon Jones is a quirky cat with big ears who thinks he is a dog. Skippy also thinks Mars is covered with spicy red pepper. As he sets off to prove that the planet is red because of the spices, he encounters one humorous adventure after another. The play on words and mixture of English and Spanish add to the humor. Curriculum Connection: Grades K-2 Science: Read this book aloud as an interest builder for a unit on space; leisure reading Notes: Visit Skippyjon Jones online at http://skippyjonjones.com/
Title: The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) Author: Rick Riordian Publisher / Date: Disney Book Group / 2010 Genre: Young Adult Fiction Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Greek Mythology Summary: 12 year old Percy Jackson has been moved from school to school and labeled a trouble maker. Thought to have ADHD, Percy has never met his father and feels misunderstood. While at boarding school, Percy is surrounded by strange happenings, including his pre-algebra teacher turning into a flying monster that tries to kill him and discovering his best friend is a satyr. Percy soon finds himself on the way to "summer camp" where his mother says he will be safe. In order to get there he must first fight a Minotaur and save his friend from danger. Once at Camp Half-blood, Percy pieces together enough information to discover that his father is a Greek god and he is considered a half-blood. He soon learns that the Greek gods are alive and angry in modern day America. Percy is accused of stealing Zues's lightening bolt and must prove his innocence while also trying to bring peace and end the war between the gods. Curriculum Connections: Grades 5-9: Greek Mythology; Literature: character development (See the author's website link below for project ideas and more curriculum connections) Notes: Action Packed! Be aware that some readers / parents may not like the paganism and violence portrayed in the book. See the author's website for a teacher's guide to the book, unit lesson plans, readers' guides, and a well written curriculum rationale for using The Lightening Thief in the classroom, a Readers' Theater short intro script based on the book, project ideas and video interviews with the author. http://www.rickriordan.com/index.php/books-for-children/a-teachers-guide-to-percy/
Title: Sister Anne's Hands Author: Marybeth Loribiecki Illustrator: Wendy Popp Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2000 Genre: Fiction; Picture Book Themes: Friendship; Culture & Diversity Summary: Set in the early 1960's Anna has a new teacher, Sister Anne. Sister Anne is the first person Anna has ever seen with dark skin. Anna is surprised by a racist comment from another student and is sad for her teacher. Sister Anne teaches a valuable lesson in how she responds to the comment in this story of diversity and acceptance. Curriculum Connections: Grades K-5: Social Studies: Cultural Diversity; Character and Values Notes: Wonderful story with beautiful illustrations that tenderly deals with a difficult topic. After reading, have students trace their own hand and the hand of a classmate with the thumbs and pointer fingers of opposite hands are touching and form an upside down heart. Have the students illustrate their own traced hands with symbols that represent their uniqueness.
Title: Each Little Bird that Sings Author: Deborah Wiles Publisher / Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / 2006 Genre: Children's Novel; Realistic Fiction Themes: Death, Loss, Family Relationships, Friendship Summary: Death is no stranger to Comfort, whose family owns a funeral parlor. She has been to 247 funerals in her 10 years of life and says that "you get used to death if you live around it long enough," but when her uncle dies, her loss is a tragedy she's not sure how to deal with on top of friendship troubles. Curriculum Connections: Grades 3-5 Language Arts: Leisure Reading; Plot and Character Development Notes: Wiles presents a difficult topic with gentleness and humor that is appropriate for children.Click here for a discussion guide from Scholastic on this book. Click here for extension activities from Scholastic to use with this book. Click here to visit the author's website.
Title: A Week in the Woods Author: Andrew Clements Publisher / Date: Anthenum / 2004 Summary: Mark, an only child of wealthy parents, is faced with yet another move to a new school. Knowing that he will only be at the new school for only a few months, Mark has no desire to get to know anyone, much less his teacher, Mr. Maxwell. Little does Mark know that this fifth grade teacher is different from teachers he's had in the past. Mark discovers this the hard way when he attends a week long 5th grade field trip and gets lost in the woods. Clement draws the reader in with elements of boy versus teacher and boy versus nature. Themes: Camping, nature, student-teacher relationships, survival Curriculum Connections: Grades 4-8 Character study, science Notes: Clements draws even the reluctant reader in as many students will be able to connect with the main character rather quickly. An excellent book!
Title: A Bad Case of Stripes Author / Illustrator: David Shannon Publisher / Date: Scholastic / 2004 Genre: Fiction, Picture Book Themes: Individuality, self esteem, peer pressure Summary: Camilla is so worried about what everyone else thinks that she stops being herself. When she comes down with a peculiar illness (a bad case of stripes) she begins to see the importance of being true to herself. Curriculum Connections: Grades K-3: Language Arts: author's purpose, author's voice; Character Traits: individuality Notes: A great read aloud and discussion starter about the importance of being yourself. Click below for classroom activities for this book. http://www.k-state.edu/ksureads/teachers/bookbags/stripes.htm
Title: Good Night, Good Knight Author: Shelley Moore Thomas Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2000 Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas Genre: Fiction, picture book Themes: fantasy, humor, knights Summary: A good knight is called away from his watch post repeatedly to tend to the needs of three little dragons who are getting ready for bed. Curriculum Connections: Grades K-2: homophones / homonyms; elements of fiction Note: a favorite story for Kindergarten!
Title: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales Author: Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 1992 Genre: Fiction, Picture Book Themes: Parts of a book; writing; fairy tales, humor Summary: Quirky short retelling of familiar classics including Little Red Running Shorts, The Really Ugly Duckling, Jack's Bean Problem and Cinderumpelstiltskin. The stories themselves are quiet humorous and anything but traditional. The book's pages are intentionally unconventional in order to teach the reader in a humorous way of the importance of page order and parts of a book such as the Table of Contents, font size, story development and the layout of space on a page. Curriculum Connections: Grades K-5: Writing conventions, parts of a book, fairy tables
Title: Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan Author: Mary Williams Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie Publisher / Date: Lee & Low Books, Inc / 2005 Genre: Fiction, Picture Book Themes: Refugees, Hope, Africa, war, orphans Summary: Based on a true story. During the aftermath of a civil war in Sudan, an 8 year old boy walks in search of safety to Ethiopia and Kenya with other orphaned boys. Together they find courage and hope to survive. They eventually end up in the US. Curriculum Connections: Grades 3-6 Social Studies: History, Africa, Cultures, Refugees; Character Traits: Courage, Diligence, Inner Strength Notes: Amazing story appropriately written for children.
