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.
ReadWriteThink: Protecting Our Precious Planet: Sharing the Message of Earth Day This lesson is geared towards grades K-2 but can be adapted for older students. Students create an environmental message and display it by decorating borrowed brown paper bags from local grocery stores. The bags are then returned to the store for bagging use at the registers. This is a simple yet meaningful way students can share their environmental messages with the local community.
Create Public Service Announcements: Pair students up in groups of two to search for and collect digital images about recycling, water pollution, air pollution, natural resources or other topics related to Earth Day. Using Animoto.com* have each pair create a 30 second video public service announcement about caring for our environment. (Grades 4 and up). *Animoto is a user-friendly free web-based tool for creating 30 second videos super fast. Just select photos from their gallery or upload your own, add some text, select or upload your music and Animoto will do the rest.
Thinkfinity offers several great links to other lesson plans and resources centered around Earth Day. Be sure to check them out!
Good planets are hard to find... so let's not blow it! April 22 is Earth Day. Oops! Correction: Every day is Earth Day! In celebration of Earth Day, here are some titles you won't want to miss that highlight our amazing planet and tell how we can better take care of it. Check it out!
A Kid's Guide to Global Warming
by Glenn Murphy
Oil Spill! by Melvin Berger
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth
by Rochelle Strauss
Oil Spill! Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico
by Elaine Landau
Moses' class has been talking about friendship. When his teacher asks the class to pick a friend to write about, Moses thinks about his many friends including his classmates, his parents, his teacher and even green his friends, Zaki and Hashi, the pet iguanas that live next door. Moses spins the wheels of his wheel chair as the wheels in his head keep spinning with ideas about which friend he will write about. In the end, Moses decides to write about Zaki, the iguana with no back toes. He says, "I think that's what I really like about Zaki. She figures out how to get where she wants to be in different ways than Hashi does. She's like me. I like Zaki and I think she likes me back."
Ellen Senisi's colorful photographs show children from a variety of cultures with diverse needs in an familiar environment every child can relate to: the classroom. Her story leads us through Moses' thought process as he tries to decide what to write about. Ellen Senisi is known for her beautifully photographed children's books and stock photography that celebrate diversity, children with special needs and inclusion.
Literature Connections: This would be a great book to share as a read aloud for a discussion starter about friendship, diversity and special needs. It would also be an excellent choice to use for a mini lesson about the writing process and selecting a topic using the example of Moses' thought process as he decides what to write about.
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.
Title: Math Curse Author: Jon Scieszka Publisher / Date: Viking Juvenile / 1st Edition: 1995 If you're looking for a great read aloud with a math focus, this is it! Math Curse opens with the main character's teacher commenting, "You know, almost everything in life can be considered a math problem." The student then is "cursed" with discovering the truth in this statement as she goes about her day. As the student encounters math problems in everyday situations she shares her "curse" in humorous ways while tackling addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and other problem solving skills. Teachers will love this book for the authentic math problems that are presented and the humorous approach to dealing with math anxiety. Jon Scieszka's humor and creative story telling along with catchy illustrations by Lane Smith hold students' interest. Themes: Math, Humor, Math Anxiety Curriculum Connections: Grade 1 and up: Math!!! This book is full of interesting word problems
Title: Naming Liberty Author: Jane Yolen Illustrator: Jim Burke Publisher / Date: Philomel / 2008 Genre: Historical Fiction, Picture Book Themes: History, Freedom, Immigrants, Social Studies Summary: Yolen weaves parallel stories in this beautifully illustrated picture book. While telling the true story of how the Statue of Liberty was built, she also tells the story of a young Jewish girl from Ukraine and how her family came to America. As they journey to the new land of freedom, she ponders what her American name will sound like. She is welcomed to America first by the Statue of Liberty and decides to share her name: Liberty, or Libby, for short. Curriculum Connections: Upper Elementary: Social Studies (coming to America, religious freedom, significance of the gift of the Statue of Liberty and how and why it was made) Notes: The parallel story format of this book may be confusing to younger readers, but provides a fantastic historical picture for upper elementary students.
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: 14 Cows for America Author: Carmen Agra Deedy Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez Afterward by: Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah Publisher / Date: Peachtree Publishers, Limited / 2009 Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book Themes: tragedy, loss, compassion, sympathy, global community, generosity, 9/11, storytelling, Maasai culture, friendship, symbolism Summary: Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the Maasai in Kenya grieve for America and the impact this tragedy has on the world. The Maasai show their amazing compassion by an extraordinary gift of 14 cows for America. (The cow is life to the Maasai.) Curriculum Connections: Social Studies: Grades 3+: 9/11; African cultures; Language Arts: Creative writing Notes: This is an extraordinary true story of compassion across cultures with amazing paintings by illustrator Thomas Gonzalez. Click on the link below to visit the website about the book, see a trailer about the book, find links for teachers including a teachers' guide and lesson ideas. http://14cowsforamerica.com/
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: Owen and Mzee: the True Story of a Remarkable Friendship Author: Isabella Hatkoff, Craig hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu Photographs by Peter Greste Publisher / Date: Scholastic Press / 2006 Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book Themes: friendship, animals, adaptation Summary: Remarkable true story of a baby hippo that was rescued from danger after being washed up on Kenya shore after the devastating tsunami of 2004. The authors tell how Owen was all alone when he was rescued. They took him to an animal sanctuary where Owen met Mzee, an Aldabra tortoise. Owen found comfort in the old turtle in the midst of his turmoil and the two have been inseparable ever since. Curriculum Connection: Grades K-5 Science: weather (effects of a tsunami), animal adaptation; Geography: Africa Notes: Remarkable photojournalism; wonderful read aloud and discussion starter!
Title: What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? Author: Robin Page Illustrator: Steve Jenkins Publisher / Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / 2008 Genre: Nonfiction; Picture Book Themes: Animals, Science Summary: Through a simple question / answer format, readers are encouraged to guess the animal whose tail is pictured and how they might use it. Curriculum Connections: Grades Pre K-2: Science: Animal adaptations Notes: Great read aloud and discussion starter for animal adaptations
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: P is for Peach: A Georgia Alphabet Author: Carol Crane Illustrator: Mark Braught Publisher / Date: Sleeping Bear Press / 2002 Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book Themes: Georgia, ABC Books Summary: Georgia's unique qualities from A to Z are explored through a gentle rhyming text and colorful illustrations. The book is well planned to provide a shorter version for younger readers and a more detailed text for older students that is informative and enjoyable to read. Curriculum Connections: Grades Pre K- 3 Social Studies / Geography: Georgia; Language Arts: Beginning Sounds Notes: Click below for a link to the Teacher's Guide for this book from the publisher http://www.gale.cengage.com/DiscoverAmerica/guides/GAGuide.pdf
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
