Bibliographic Information: Yolen, J. (2007). How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?. Illus. Mark Teague. New York, NY: Scholastic.
Brief Annotation: This Book shows how if Dinosaurs were able to be at school, they'd probably be disruptive but then again, they could probably control themselves. The disruptive behaviors the dinosaurs portrayed are the typical disruptive behaviors you see in classrooms. Then the dinosaurs are portrayed as following the rule and behaving properly at school.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Grade Level: K-3rd
Readers who will like this: Kids who love dinosaurs!
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I really liked the rhyming which made this book a very smooth read and the illustrations were very eye catching!
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do you think would happen if dinosaurs really did go to school?
Reading Strategies Connection:
a. Reading Strategy: Poetic Response
b. Strategy Description: Have the students write a poetic response to the book by creating a poem arguing how they think school would be like if dinosaurs did come to school. Their poem must take one side of the argument, either the positive or the negative side of allowing dinosaurs to be at school.
c. Rationale: This would be a good strategy to show they comprehended the story of the book. Then they will also get a chance to use their creative writing skills to write a poem in response to either it is a good idea of allowing or not allowing dinosaurs at school.
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Principal's New Clothes
Bibliographic Information: Clamenson, S. (1989). The Principal's New Clothes. Illus. Illustrator Denise Brunkus. Broadway, NY: Scholastics.
Brief Annotation: Mr. Bundy was the sharpest dressing principal, he had enough clothes that he would go a whole month without repeating his outfits. Then one day, a couple of tricksters came to sell Mr. Bundy some new clothes made out of special fabric. This Fabric was so special that only smart people or people who are fit for their jobs could see it. When no one, not even Mr. Bundy, could see the clothes everyone pretended to see it. No one wanted to tell the truth because they didn't want to seem stupid until a kindergartner pointed out the truth. Then Mr. Bundy awarded the student a golden star for her honesty.
Genre: Trickster tale, fractured fairy tale
Grade Level:K-3
Readers who will like this: Anyone who enjoys an entertaining and comical book.
Response/Rating (1-4): 3, The message of the book is a great message to use with primary grades. It really teaches kids to be honest, even if you're afraid of how other might think of you!
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What kind of clothes do you think the principal is getting?
a. Reading Strategy: Open-Minded Portraits
b. Strategy Description: The students will choose one character from the book and draw a portrait of that character. Then on the second page, they will draw an open-minded portrait of what they think that character was thinking during a specific moment in the book. They will get to choose which moment they want to draw about. Once they've decided which moment they are doing, they will write a brief description of that event before they draw that character's open-minded portrait.
c. Rationale: This strategy will allow the students to think deeply an reflect on some of the small moments in the book. It will also allow the students to look at the moment from the chosen character's perspective.
Brief Annotation: Mr. Bundy was the sharpest dressing principal, he had enough clothes that he would go a whole month without repeating his outfits. Then one day, a couple of tricksters came to sell Mr. Bundy some new clothes made out of special fabric. This Fabric was so special that only smart people or people who are fit for their jobs could see it. When no one, not even Mr. Bundy, could see the clothes everyone pretended to see it. No one wanted to tell the truth because they didn't want to seem stupid until a kindergartner pointed out the truth. Then Mr. Bundy awarded the student a golden star for her honesty.
Genre: Trickster tale, fractured fairy tale
Grade Level:K-3
Readers who will like this: Anyone who enjoys an entertaining and comical book.
Response/Rating (1-4): 3, The message of the book is a great message to use with primary grades. It really teaches kids to be honest, even if you're afraid of how other might think of you!
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What kind of clothes do you think the principal is getting?
a. Reading Strategy: Open-Minded Portraits
b. Strategy Description: The students will choose one character from the book and draw a portrait of that character. Then on the second page, they will draw an open-minded portrait of what they think that character was thinking during a specific moment in the book. They will get to choose which moment they want to draw about. Once they've decided which moment they are doing, they will write a brief description of that event before they draw that character's open-minded portrait.
c. Rationale: This strategy will allow the students to think deeply an reflect on some of the small moments in the book. It will also allow the students to look at the moment from the chosen character's perspective.
Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella
Bibliographic Information: Lowell, S. (2000). Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella. Illus. Illustrator Jane Manning. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Brief Annotation: A Western version of Cinderella, Cindy Ellen is forced to put up with her lazy step sisters. Instead of wanting to go to a ball, Cindy Ellen wishes to attend the rodeo! When everyone leaves Cindy Ellen behind, her fairy godmother appears with her fancy, golden pistol and uses magic to fancy up Cindy Ellen for her big debut at the rodeo. Cindy Ellen attends the rodeo and wows Joe Prince, a rich rancher's son, who falls in love with her. Racing to get home before midnight, Cindy Ellen loses one of her sparkling diamond spurs in front of Joe Prince! Collecting the diamond spur, Joe Prince goes searching for his dream girl and comes upon Cindy Ellen and they lived happily every after!
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tale
Grade Level: K-3rd
Readers who will like this: Anyone who enjoys a playful version of famous fairy tales
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I loved the colorful illustrations and the playful western style use of language
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What other versions of Cinderella have you heard?
Brief Annotation: A Western version of Cinderella, Cindy Ellen is forced to put up with her lazy step sisters. Instead of wanting to go to a ball, Cindy Ellen wishes to attend the rodeo! When everyone leaves Cindy Ellen behind, her fairy godmother appears with her fancy, golden pistol and uses magic to fancy up Cindy Ellen for her big debut at the rodeo. Cindy Ellen attends the rodeo and wows Joe Prince, a rich rancher's son, who falls in love with her. Racing to get home before midnight, Cindy Ellen loses one of her sparkling diamond spurs in front of Joe Prince! Collecting the diamond spur, Joe Prince goes searching for his dream girl and comes upon Cindy Ellen and they lived happily every after!
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tale
Grade Level: K-3rd
Readers who will like this: Anyone who enjoys a playful version of famous fairy tales
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I loved the colorful illustrations and the playful western style use of language
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What other versions of Cinderella have you heard?
The Boy Who was Raised By Librarians
Bibliographic Information: Morris, C. (2007). The Boy Who was Raised By Librarians. Illus. Illustrator Brad Sneed. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.
Brief Annotation: Melvin develops an interest in the library, where he can find information about anything! With the time he spends at the library, he develops close relationships with the librarians. They become his mentors and help him throughout his school years. After he graduates, his love for the library brings him to become one of the new librarians.
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: K-5
Readers who will like this: Students who enjoy visiting and exploring the library!
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I absolutely love this book! Working in the library, I appreciate how this book illustrates just how resourceful the library and the librarians can be!
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What is your favorite thing about your library?
a. Reading Strategy: Collaborative Books
b. Strategy Description: The students will work together in groups to write a book about a fictional student who enjoys to go to the library. They will each include their own personal experiences at a library. Then they will work together to try and fit each experiences into their book. Then they will add their illustrations and present the finished product to their classmates.
c. Rationale: This strategy will allow the students to work collaboratively and think creatively to produce a book. In order to do so, the students must know the characteristics of a book and be sure to include all parts that make up a book. Then once they are done, they will gain a sense of ownership, as well experience as an author when they present their books to their classmates.
Brief Annotation: Melvin develops an interest in the library, where he can find information about anything! With the time he spends at the library, he develops close relationships with the librarians. They become his mentors and help him throughout his school years. After he graduates, his love for the library brings him to become one of the new librarians.
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: K-5
Readers who will like this: Students who enjoy visiting and exploring the library!
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I absolutely love this book! Working in the library, I appreciate how this book illustrates just how resourceful the library and the librarians can be!
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What is your favorite thing about your library?
a. Reading Strategy: Collaborative Books
b. Strategy Description: The students will work together in groups to write a book about a fictional student who enjoys to go to the library. They will each include their own personal experiences at a library. Then they will work together to try and fit each experiences into their book. Then they will add their illustrations and present the finished product to their classmates.
c. Rationale: This strategy will allow the students to work collaboratively and think creatively to produce a book. In order to do so, the students must know the characteristics of a book and be sure to include all parts that make up a book. Then once they are done, they will gain a sense of ownership, as well experience as an author when they present their books to their classmates.
Three Cool Kids
Bibliographic Information: Emberly, R. (1995). Three Cool Kids. New York, NY: Little, Brown Company.
Brief Annotation: Three kids (young goats) lives in a big, busy city. The lot they've lived in for as long as they can remember is quickly running out of grass to eat so they are in search of a new place. Having spotted a new place across the street, with plenty of green grass, they are a little weary to cross because of the big, bad rat in the sewer that guards the street. Big Cool, the oldest of the kids, convinces his siblings to cross and they come across the rat who threatens to eat them. Big Cool fearlessly defeats the rat and the kids live happily ever after in their new lot.
Genre: Animal Fantasy Folktale
Grade Level: K-3rd
Readers who will like this: Students who are studying fractured fairy tales
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I absolutely love the illustrations and the play with words.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: Who do you think are the three cool kids?
Brief Annotation: Three kids (young goats) lives in a big, busy city. The lot they've lived in for as long as they can remember is quickly running out of grass to eat so they are in search of a new place. Having spotted a new place across the street, with plenty of green grass, they are a little weary to cross because of the big, bad rat in the sewer that guards the street. Big Cool, the oldest of the kids, convinces his siblings to cross and they come across the rat who threatens to eat them. Big Cool fearlessly defeats the rat and the kids live happily ever after in their new lot.
Genre: Animal Fantasy Folktale
Grade Level: K-3rd
Readers who will like this: Students who are studying fractured fairy tales
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I absolutely love the illustrations and the play with words.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: Who do you think are the three cool kids?
The Girl Who Spun Gold
Bibliographic Information: Hamilton, V. (2000). The Girl Who Spun Gold. Illus. Leo and Diane Dillon. New York, NY published: The Blue Sky Press.
Brief Annotation: An African version of Rumpelstiltskin, Quashiba was rumored by her mother to be able to spin golden thread. Impressed by her rumored skill, the King married her as his wife and then locked her up until she could spin golden thread for him. Desperate, Quashiba allowed a magical little man to help spin the gold for her, under one condition, that if she can't guess his name, he will make her small and take her to his land. After several wrong guesses, she miraculously comes across his name and is freed from the little man. Then the King finally lets her out and they lived happily ever after.
Genre: Culturally Diverse Folktale
Grade Level: K-5th
Readers who will like this: anyone who enjoys folktales
Response/Rating (1-4): 3, The illustrations were great but I lost interest half way through the story.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What other folktale does the title remind you of?
Brief Annotation: An African version of Rumpelstiltskin, Quashiba was rumored by her mother to be able to spin golden thread. Impressed by her rumored skill, the King married her as his wife and then locked her up until she could spin golden thread for him. Desperate, Quashiba allowed a magical little man to help spin the gold for her, under one condition, that if she can't guess his name, he will make her small and take her to his land. After several wrong guesses, she miraculously comes across his name and is freed from the little man. Then the King finally lets her out and they lived happily ever after.
Genre: Culturally Diverse Folktale
Grade Level: K-5th
Readers who will like this: anyone who enjoys folktales
Response/Rating (1-4): 3, The illustrations were great but I lost interest half way through the story.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: What other folktale does the title remind you of?
Kate and the Beanstalk
Bibliographic Information: Osborne, M. P. (2000). Kate and the Beanstalk. Illus. Giselle Potter. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Brief Annotation: A Kate is put through a series of goodness test to see if she can retrieve what was stolen from a good knight by a greedy giant. Completing all tests, she then learns that the good Knight was actually her father who was slain by the giant. With the giant dead from his fall off the beanstalk, Kate and her mother could return back their father's castle.
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tales
Grade Level: K-3rd
Readers who will like this: Children who enjoys fairy tales.
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I really liked the twist at the ending, it was very surprising.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: Who can summarize the story of Jack and the Beanstalk?
a. Reading Strategy: Reader's Theatre
b. Strategy Description: The story of the book will be broken down into a script for a play. There would be a part for each character in the book. Students will get a chance to take turns having each part. Then they will read their lines, making sure they include the appropriate tone and expression for their line.
c. Rationale: This is a great strategy to use for improving and practicing fluency. With the book being transformed into a play, the students will get to add a voice and character to each part. They will also get a chance to practice the use of tone and expression as they read their line.
Brief Annotation: A Kate is put through a series of goodness test to see if she can retrieve what was stolen from a good knight by a greedy giant. Completing all tests, she then learns that the good Knight was actually her father who was slain by the giant. With the giant dead from his fall off the beanstalk, Kate and her mother could return back their father's castle.
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tales
Grade Level: K-3rd
Readers who will like this: Children who enjoys fairy tales.
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, I really liked the twist at the ending, it was very surprising.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: Who can summarize the story of Jack and the Beanstalk?
a. Reading Strategy: Reader's Theatre
b. Strategy Description: The story of the book will be broken down into a script for a play. There would be a part for each character in the book. Students will get a chance to take turns having each part. Then they will read their lines, making sure they include the appropriate tone and expression for their line.
c. Rationale: This is a great strategy to use for improving and practicing fluency. With the book being transformed into a play, the students will get to add a voice and character to each part. They will also get a chance to practice the use of tone and expression as they read their line.
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