Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Talented Clementine by Sara PennyPacker
This book is another one that is great for older elementary school children. I think that elementary children could really relate to her character and it would make them excited about participating in a talent show. Also, it would help them to feel like they can be themselves. Clementine is totally comfortable being her messy self throughout the entire book. I woul love to introduce this as a new chapter book in my future classroom.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Craft Lesson #3
Writing a Halloween Story
Resource Materials:
Book: Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes
Hardback books
Pencil
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Discussion:
Using our imaginations in the classroom is one of the most important things we can do when reading and writing. In Los Gatos Black on Halloween, the vivid illustrations and rhyming poetry throughout the story easily allow children to use their imaginations. Stories like this are wonderful for inspiring creativity.
How to Teach it: (3rd or 4th grade)
The lesson will begin as I read the story to the class around Halloween time in late October. After the story, we will talk about what they liked and did not like about it. I will ask them questions about it. Do they think it is a good Halloween story? Were a few of them possibly even frightened by it? What was their favorite part? They will then compose their own Halloween tale in a hardback book. This lesson will be two to three days long as the students will need time to come up with a story and do the best job that they can. Time will be made for them to work on these books. On the third day, the children will bring one Halloween item from home and a bag of candy to share with their classmates. This will help them to get into the spirit of Halloween. The books will become a special project for each student and a chance for them to use their imagination and creativity as well during this fun holiday.
Resource Materials:
Book: Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes
Hardback books
Pencil
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Discussion:
Using our imaginations in the classroom is one of the most important things we can do when reading and writing. In Los Gatos Black on Halloween, the vivid illustrations and rhyming poetry throughout the story easily allow children to use their imaginations. Stories like this are wonderful for inspiring creativity.
How to Teach it: (3rd or 4th grade)
The lesson will begin as I read the story to the class around Halloween time in late October. After the story, we will talk about what they liked and did not like about it. I will ask them questions about it. Do they think it is a good Halloween story? Were a few of them possibly even frightened by it? What was their favorite part? They will then compose their own Halloween tale in a hardback book. This lesson will be two to three days long as the students will need time to come up with a story and do the best job that they can. Time will be made for them to work on these books. On the third day, the children will bring one Halloween item from home and a bag of candy to share with their classmates. This will help them to get into the spirit of Halloween. The books will become a special project for each student and a chance for them to use their imagination and creativity as well during this fun holiday.
Craft Lesson #2
What’s in a Name?
Resource Materials:
Book: The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Blank Paper
Colored Pencils
Pencil
Stickers
Crayons
(Glitter, glue, feathers, macaroni, decorative items….)
Discussion:
Each individual child has a special name that was given to them. Their name may have been given to them for a particular reason and it is important to recognize each child’s name. In The Name Jar, the character struggles with feeling different from her classmates. Feeling different and like an outsider because of their name can be a problem for many children. In this craft lesson each child’s name will be important and special and put on display. Hopefully every student in the classroom will feel that their name is truly unique and special.
How to Teach it: (1st or 2nd grade)
The students will first begin the class by writing down their name and what it means or what they think it means. They will be given time to brainstorm about this and ask questions if they have any. They will be asked these kinds of questions to help them get started: How did you get your name? What do you think your name means? What do you like about your name?
Next, the students will each get a piece of paper. I will instruct them to write their first name down in the most creative way they can think of. They will be able to use any of the materials listed above to make it the best way that they can. After they create their name sign we will hang them all in the classroom in different spots. I will remind the class that any time they feel like they are having a hard day or feel down to look for their name in the classroom and what we talked about. It will make all of the students feel more together as a class I think and also feel included.
Resource Materials:
Book: The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Blank Paper
Colored Pencils
Pencil
Stickers
Crayons
(Glitter, glue, feathers, macaroni, decorative items….)
Discussion:
Each individual child has a special name that was given to them. Their name may have been given to them for a particular reason and it is important to recognize each child’s name. In The Name Jar, the character struggles with feeling different from her classmates. Feeling different and like an outsider because of their name can be a problem for many children. In this craft lesson each child’s name will be important and special and put on display. Hopefully every student in the classroom will feel that their name is truly unique and special.
How to Teach it: (1st or 2nd grade)
The students will first begin the class by writing down their name and what it means or what they think it means. They will be given time to brainstorm about this and ask questions if they have any. They will be asked these kinds of questions to help them get started: How did you get your name? What do you think your name means? What do you like about your name?
Next, the students will each get a piece of paper. I will instruct them to write their first name down in the most creative way they can think of. They will be able to use any of the materials listed above to make it the best way that they can. After they create their name sign we will hang them all in the classroom in different spots. I will remind the class that any time they feel like they are having a hard day or feel down to look for their name in the classroom and what we talked about. It will make all of the students feel more together as a class I think and also feel included.
Craft Lesson #1
Problem Solving
Resource Materials:
Book: 100th Day Worries by Margery Cuyler
Blank Paper
Pencil
Crayons
Discussion:
Everyone worries at some point about something. This book is about how a little girl worries about bringing enough objects on the 100th day of school. Worrying can cause unneeded stress and troubles for young children. Often times, children worry and are afraid to tell anybody about their problems. Problem solving and thinking through situations are an important part of teachers helping children to stop their worrying.
How to teach it: (K- 1st grade)
Today we are going to talk about worrying. Think of a situation or time that you have worried about something. What was it? How did it make you feel? Write down or draw that situation and picture it in your head.
Now, we are going to think about different things we could do to make that worry go away. What would you do? Play a game? Go outside? Talk to a friend? There are many different options. It is up to us to be problem solvers when we have a worry or a problem to deal with. This lesson may take a couple days as I will have them practice their problem solving when they go home that night. Then the next day we will have discussion and they will talk about how their problem solving technique helped them to feel better and what they did. I will also tell them about my worry situation and what I did to remedy it.
Resource Materials:
Book: 100th Day Worries by Margery Cuyler
Blank Paper
Pencil
Crayons
Discussion:
Everyone worries at some point about something. This book is about how a little girl worries about bringing enough objects on the 100th day of school. Worrying can cause unneeded stress and troubles for young children. Often times, children worry and are afraid to tell anybody about their problems. Problem solving and thinking through situations are an important part of teachers helping children to stop their worrying.
How to teach it: (K- 1st grade)
Today we are going to talk about worrying. Think of a situation or time that you have worried about something. What was it? How did it make you feel? Write down or draw that situation and picture it in your head.
Now, we are going to think about different things we could do to make that worry go away. What would you do? Play a game? Go outside? Talk to a friend? There are many different options. It is up to us to be problem solvers when we have a worry or a problem to deal with. This lesson may take a couple days as I will have them practice their problem solving when they go home that night. Then the next day we will have discussion and they will talk about how their problem solving technique helped them to feel better and what they did. I will also tell them about my worry situation and what I did to remedy it.
Made You Look by Diane Roberts
I think this book is definitely great for reluctant readers. It is aimed at older children, probably 3rd or 4th graders and is action packed. The way the author writes the story keeps young readers that might get bored interested the entire way through. Her character, Jason, wants to get a chance on a game show called Masquerade Mania. His family tells him that he is going on a camping trip instead and he does everything possible to distract them to get onto the show. He also gets bullied by a student in his class, but in the end learns "Ambie" really wants to be his friend as he competes against him in the show. From a dinosaur head to pink underwear, the reader never has a chance to get bored! I really enjoyed this book.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This book was one of my favorite books growing up. I loved to look at Eric Carle's wonderful illustrations throughout the book. He is still one of my favorite children's book authors today and I love to go back and reread my favorites! Once again I hope the class enjoyed this read as much as I did.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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