Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Brainstorm Vol 40: Books for multiple K-12 classrooms

Picture Book Resources

More Parts by Tedd Arnold
A boy becomes increasingly worried as he hears his parents, neighbors, teachers, and friends say things about his body coming to pieces. Broken hearts, cracking skin, giving up limbs...it's worrying stuff! Eventually, his parents explain that these phrases are just figures of speech and he doesn't need to worry. A very humorous look at the literal meaning of various common American idioms with hilarious illustrations (showing the measures the boy takes to protect himself) and written in rhyming text.

Activity Tie-ins:

  • Idioms: This is the perfect book to kick off a lesson on idioms used in the English language. You can have students brainstorm other idioms they have heard.
  • Literal vs Figurative Language: This is also a good book to help kids understand the difference between literal and figurative language. Have them see if they can come up with phrases frequently used that are literal and others that are figurative. Or, use an exemplar text and have students find examples of literal and figurative language within (periodicals would most likely have both).
  • Rhyming: Arnold uses nicely rhyming text to tell his humorous tale. See if students can teach another grammar lesson with rhymes.
  • Illustrations: Reading this book without the illustrations would miss out on half the fun. Can lead to a nice discussion of how words and pictures work together to tell a more elaborate story than either can on their own. Have students practice putting comic spins on seemingly neutral phrases with illustrations (if students aren't artistically inclined, this could be done with magazine picture cut outs or clip art).
  • History: Many idioms have interesting root sources that sometimes can be found with a little bit of research. See if students can find out where we got some of the crazy phrases we say.


No Dragons for Tea: Fire safety for kids (and dragons) by Jean E. Pendziwol, ill. by Martine Gourbault

A little girl makes a new friend, a dragon! They have great fun at the beach and then she invites him over for tea. But during tea the pepper starts tickling noses, and you can just guess what happens when a dragon sneezes. Fire! The little girl and her mom know just what to do, but have to teach the dragon a few things about fire safety. Fire safety talking points are included in the back. The story is written in catchy rhyme, captivatingly illustrated, and is entertaining enough kids will probably ask for re-readings.

Activity Tie-ins:

  • Fire Safety: This book manages to teach important fire safety tips in a way that doesn't make it feel "educational," so kids should pick up the tips but not feel like they're getting a lesson. After reading this, classes can discuss fire safety procedures at school and then write down talking points to go over with their own families.
  • Firemen and Fire equipment: Talk with students about the roles of firemen and firewomen and the equipment they use to fight fires. (There are numerous books out there that have diagrams of fire trucks and other equipment.)
  • Chemistry: Talking about fire just begs for teachers to go into the science of why things look and smell different after they are burnt. A good book to segue into an intro on chemical changes.
  • Fire producers: While dragons are a bit hard to find outside of storybooks and movies, there are other creatures out there that do produce fire. Have students research bombardier beetles and other such creatures.
  • Etiquette: The dragon in this story is trying to be a good house guest, but he manages to torch his host's home. Opportunity for a good discussion of what to do if you break something at a friend's house.
  • Forgiveness: The little girl and her mom do not get upset with the dragon and realize the fire was an accident. Ask kids how they feel when a friend breaks something or messes something up on accident, what they may want to do and what they should really do.
  • Writing & Safety Topics: Have students write their own story to teach a different safety lesson. Beforehand, you can talk with students about why this book makes it fun to learn about fire safety and have them try to apply the same principles in their stories.
Chapter Book Resource

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally doesn't mean to get in trouble at school. It isn't her fault the letters won't hold still long enough to read. She has pretty much given up on herself. But a new teacher doesn't see her as a problem who won't finish assignments, Mr. Daniels manages to catch on to Ally's deep, dark secret. She can't read. And all those "pranks" were actually her acts of frustration or genuine tries. With the help of Mr. Daniels and some new friends, Ally starts to think that maybe she isn't dumb and perhaps there is some hope for her. 

Activity Tie-ins:
  • Dyslexia: I recently had a teacher ask me for a book on teaching students with dyslexia. I didn't have any on hand, but I did have this. It is a great read for teachers and fellow students of those who struggle with dyslexia because it gives a good insider's perspective of what it is like (read the author's note, this book is somewhat autobiographical). The teacher also employs some good strategies to help Ally overcome her challenges with dyslexia. Two other good books written from the point of view of someone with dyslexia are The Wild Book by Margarita Engle and May B. by Caroline Starr Rose, incidentally, both of those are historical fiction and novels in verse. They are fast reads and interesting in that they come from time periods when dyslexia didn't have a name. Fish in a Tree is set in modern culture.
  • Teacher Inspirational Reading: Books on kids with disabilities are a dime a dozen these days, so in that aspect this book kind of blends in with the rest of the middle grade offerings. What I predict this book will be known best for is the exemplary teacher in it. I can definitely see this as required reading for teachers in training. Mr. Daniels meets his students where they are and tries to get them to where they should be. He's a good dose of inspiration for teachers even if he borders on being too good to be true.

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