Realistic Fiction

Danzinger, P. (2008). Amber brown wants extra credit. Puffin.

Aww the story of Amber Brown!! Wouldn't it be amazing to have such a colorful name haha! This little lady doesn't think so!! A story in which all children can relate to you! Even adults can get a laugh out of this comical book!! A story in which person versus person conflict is present in a situation in which many children can relate to these days, dating parents/remarried parents! Person versus self conflict is present throughout the entire book and is also something that children can relate to! The plot unfolds as the story of a mothers new boyfriend and the struggle that the child in the home, Amber, faces, takes a turn for the better when she realizes that Max will never take the place of her father, but can be an additional support in her life. A story in which struggling students could be allowed an opportunity to create rememberance books or make shift patchwork quilts to create a momento to keep themselves. This realistic fiction book is geared towards younger age children, but can be appreciated by many others! Although activities to go along with this book could be more writing based for reflective pieces, teachers could use the book across content areas to engage the students through real-life experiences.

Poetry Reflection

Silverstein, S. (1981). A light in the attic. New York: Evil Eye Music, Inc.

 

 

One of my favorite books of all time and perfect for the genre of the week poetry! I didn't come to truly appreciate the book until I was a sophomore in high school and in my honor's english class the teacher decided we should form groups and act out the poems in this book to the entire scool as a production! Although the tasks seemed ridiculous and inappropriate for my age and the age group of my peers, turns out we loved the activity and the joy/laughter of the younger children made it all worthwhile. Meanwhile the older age group performance helped to build self-confidence and show our peers that we weren't afraid to do silly things! A book with a poem by single poets, for almost every situation and/or everyone, one that a teacher can share for a quick moment to fill in a free space in time or one that a teacher can use as an opening activity or to teach characterization, metaphors, similes, etc. in mini lessons. For all you secondary teachers, consider incoroporating this book into your daily routine or yearly curriculum in some way and share your ideas please!!

 



Traditional/Multicultural Book Reflections (2)

Young, E. (1989). Lon po po: A red-riding hood story from china. New York, Ny: Philomel Books.

The Chinese spin-off of the original traditional tale of Little Red Riding Hood. A story in which wit and outsmarting others plays a huge role in the safety of a few children. I LOVED the spin off that the author created in this book. I love seeing varieties and approaches to traditional stories as we encourage our children to do the same in some of the many activities that we incorporate into our daily classroom. By creating stories like this, our students are able to be imaginative and think of the many possibilities and big questions of the story that we may not think of. The illustrations in the book were also wonderful and very vivid!! This is a book that I would encourage teachers to share with their students over and over again each year!! Challenge your students to questions such as what would happen if the students believed the wolf to be their PoPo? What other ways could the children have tricked the wolf? The possibilities are endless!!

 

 

Williams, V. (1988). Music, music for everyone. New York, Ny: Greenwillow Books.

A story that many young children are facing more and more each day as the societial views and unfortunate circumstances are changing. A story of a young Rosa who has to help her hard working mother take care of her sick grandmother. A story of trials, triumph and bonding of friends together. It is a heart warming story that allows for a more moral lesson, but can implemented in a music lesson. Students are more likely to be able to relate to this story, especially in the area I'm from. The big questions will probably come more internally which would allow for a journaling opportunity and a window into their struggles. A book that I suggest all teachers use when beginning the school year!

 

Fantasy Chapter Book Reflection

Lewis, C. S. (1994). The lion, the witch and the wardrobe. New York,NY: Harper trophy.

 

As the years change and books become a major motion picture sometimes the cover changes also!! A classic and one of my favorite stories of all time is The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S. Lewis brings  his readers to a new life and world of imagination every time you open one of his books. In the particular story we see a lot of person vs. person conflict, person vs. self conflict and a good story in which person vs. nature conflict is clearly displayed. With a progressive plot, the children of the story enter a wardrobe at progressing times and enter a fantasy world in which animals can talk and the unrealistic ideals of nature come true. A story that helps teachers in distinguishing between protagonists and antagonists, it is guranteed to hold at least one students interest!! Read the story as a class if time permitting and ask your class questions such as, if you were an adult and seen the children coming in and out of the wardrobe would you believe their story, how would you react? Get the perceptions from your students on this particular topic, it will help you to connect with them personally more. :)

Picture Book Reflection #5

Berenstain, S., & Berenstain, J. (1981). The berenstain bears go to the doctor. New York, NY: Random House Books for Young Readers.

 

 

As my preschooler comes home each week and talks about his new unit or what they are "talking about" this week I always try to coordinate a book to go with his unit to reinforce every night. When he came home Friday talking about careers and the doctor it was the perfect opportunity to bring this book out. The Berenstein Bears are usually a timeless favorite of all that come into contact with their stories/books. The story helps parents to ease the fear of their young children who are going to the doctor for the first time or returning after a "bad" trip. A story that offers person versus self conflict and person versus society conflict.

 

What are some big questions you would ask your students after reading this book? Would you focus more on the conflicts or the ability to overcome fears? Would this be an educational lesson or a personal/moral lesson, or would you even feel comfortable in admitting to not making it educational?

 

Picture Book #4

Numeroff, L. J., & Bond, F. (2005). If you give a pig a party. (1ed. ed.). U.S.A.: HarperCollins.

 

 

If You Give A Pig A Party is a story about a pig who wants to plan a party, but can never focus on the central planning idea. The pig begins by asking for balloons, then to decorate, invite friends, dress up, play games, etc. The story is very cute and follows sequence well. A lot of children I have seen enjoying this book are usually children who get off task easily as they can relate to the pig in the story.

 

What are your feelings, suggestions or ideas on allowing students to create an agenda or party for the class for a day? What kind of conflicts do you think you may encounter as a teacher?

Picture Book #3

Sendak, M. (1991). Where the wild things are. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.



Where The Wild Things Are is about a young boy named Max who gets into trouble with his mother by threatening to leave. Max's mother sends him to bed without dinner. While in the privacy of his room, Max goes on an imaginary journey to a farawy land and comes face to face with the "wild things", who are enormous creatures with large claws and teeth. The "wild things" make Max their kind and he and the "wild things" celebrate until Max tells them to sop and punishes them the same way he was! Join Max on his imaginary journey and true insight into how children really perceive or imagine things to be when not getting their way!

How could you incorporate an activity of making your own "wild thing" into a language arts lesson? I have used this book in math lessons dealing with addition/subtraction, multiplication and geometry.