A Rainbow of Friends Review

Title: A Rainbow of Friends
Author/Illustrator: P.K. Hallinan
Publisher: Guidepost Books 2005
Pages: 24
Genre: Multicultural

Rating System: Elementary 5 (recommended)
This book is for all elementary grades. With the bright-colored illustrations, it shows the reader the "rainbow" of friends. This book teachers the timeless lesson of acceptance of other no matter what they look like or where they came from. I recommend this book in every classroom because if we can teach our students the importance of acceptance at a young age, it will benefit them in their future.

Summary:
This book is awesome! It shows students how friends come in all different shapes, colors and sizes. They can be athletic, smart, funny, or musical.  We should always celebrate how different we are because that is what makes us all so special.

Educational Purpose:
I will read this book to my students. I will discuss the importance of being accepting of our friends no matter what they look like. After I read the book, we will make a "Rainbow of Friends" using the students handprints. Each student will be asked to pick a color they feel best describes them. I will paint their hands and place them on our rainbow and write their names below. This will hopefully show students that just because our friends look or seem different, doesn't mean you don't share something in common or can't be their friend. Teaching acceptance is number1!

Bug Detective Review

Title: Bug Detective
Author/Illustrator: Maggi Li
Publisher: Sterling Children's Book 2015
Pages: 28
Genre: Informational

Rating System: Early Elementary 5 (recommended)
This book is for early elementary. (K-3) This book has amazing illustrations along with interesting facts about all the different kinds of bugs. The text is very fun and easy to understand. It is written to catch the eye of the reader. One of my favorite things about this book is that it comes with a magnifying glass, which allows the students to be engaged the whole time. The students will actually feel like real "detectives".

Summary:
Any bug you can think of in the whole world is mentioned in this book. From beetles to spiders to beautiful butterflies, it's all there!  On every page there are brief introductions and facts scattered all around. This book also comes with a magnifying glass, which allows the students to be "detectives" and complete all the "missions" they find all throughout the book.

Educational Purpose:
I would use this book when learning about bugs. I will read this book to my students and allow them to come up and use the magnifying glass to find and see the different bugs. The students will all have their own copy of this book on their desk. After I finish reading the book, the students will be asked to complete all the missions throughout the book and if time permits, the students will be asked to complete some of the additional activities in the back of the book. Because of how hands-on this book is, I feel my students will learn a lot and of course, have fun!

Snowflake Bentley Book Review

Title: Snowflake Bentley
Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrator: Mary Azarian
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 32
Genre: Biography

Rating System: Elementary 5 (recommended)
This book is great for all elementary grades. The text is very easy to follow, even though there are some challenging words at times. The illustrations and photography really help make this book come alive. The photos of the snowflakes helps show students how different snowflakes really are and how no 2 snowflakes are the same. This book is a must have for a classroom, especially when incorporating art in your classroom.

Summary:
Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as little miracles every since he was a little boy. He wanted to capture these crystals with his camera. No one really understood his love for snowflakes.  He really liked how every snowflake was different and how no 2 snowflakes are the same, which not only made them unique to him but also very beautiful. What does he do with his photos? Do people finally see his fascination with snowflakes?

Educational Purpose:
I will read this book to my students. I will really spend time showing them the different pictures of the snowflakes in the book. I will emphasis how no 2 snowflakes are alike. I will ask them to go back to their seats. I will ask them to get out their scissors while I pass out blank white pieces of paper. I will explain to them that they are making their own unique snowflake. I will show them how to fold their paper and show examples of different cuts for different designs. I will give them time to make their snowflakes. When everyone has made at least two, we will do a gallery walk and look at each others snowflakes. After the gallery walk, we will hang our beautiful, unique snowflakes up in our classroom.

Queen Of The Falls Book Review

Title: Queen Of The Falls
Author/Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin 2011
Pages: 38
Genre: Biography

Rating System: Upper Elementary 4 (Recommended)
This book is for upper elementary. (Grades 3-6) This book offers really mature content. The text can be challenging but the illustrations help guide the reader throughout the book. Since this book is about someone risking their lives, make sure the students are mature enough to understand not to attempt anything that can be life threatening.

Summary:
A 62 year old, retired school teacher by the name of Annie Edson Taylor wanted to do something no one has ever done before. She wanted to go over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel.  Does she end up doing it? Does she make it out alive?

Educational purpose:
I will read this book to my class. I will ask them to go back to their desk and get out their writing journals. I will give them this prompt " I have decided to do something no one has ever done before and that is...". They will write in their journals for 20 minutes, then share their ideas with the whole class.

Esperanza Rising Book Review

Title: Esperanza Rising
Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher: Scholastic Press 2002
Pages: 288
Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating System: Middle Elementary- Jr. High 5 (recommended)
This books reading level allows many grades to partake in enjoying this book. This book offers a great insight to another culture and what Esperanza and her culture had to go through during the Great Depression. This book could be persuaded more for females but I feel both genders in my classroom would really benefit from reading this text.

Summary:
Esperanza always thought she would live on her family farm in Mexico for forever. She thought she would always live her fancy lifestyle but everything changed when her and her mother fled to California during the Great Depression. Esperanza and her mother ended up settling in a camp for Mexicans who own farms. Can Esperanza handle all this? What is going to happen to her and her mom in this camp?

Educational Purpose:
Since thus book is about another culture, I would take full advantage of having the whole class read this book. I feel it is very important for my students to learn about as many different cultures as they can. We would read this book as a class and do little assignments that involve the students to research about the Mexican culture and step inside their shoes during this time.

The Little Chapel That Stood Book Review

Title: The Little Chapel That Stood
Author: A.B. Curtiss
Illustrator: Mirto Golino
Publisher: Old Castle Publishing 2003
Pages: 40
Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating System: Elementary (5 Recommended)
This book is appropriate for all grade levels in elementary school. This book has some complicated text but the illustrations really make the book come alive. The details in both the text and illustrations, help the reader really understand what happened on that tragic day.

Summary:
This book tells a true story about a chapel right next to the Twin Towers in New York that survived the 9-11 attack. This story illustrates the bravery of the firemen who saved hundreds of lives and that terror can be overcome by bravery.

Educational Purpose:
On 9-11, I would read this book to my students. I will talk about the history of the Chapel and the Twin Towers. Then I will have them go back to their seats. I will explain to them how important our firemen are to our community and what is takes to be brave. I will ask them to write Thank You notes to our local fire department. I will emphasis that we want to thank them for all their bravery and keeping us and our community safe.

Earings Book Review

Title: Earrings
Author: Judith Worst
Illustrator: Nola Langner Malone
Publisher: The Trumpet Club 1992
Pages: 30
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating System: Early Elementary 3 (Recommended)
This book is for early elementary. This book is meant more for females because the main character is a girl who wants to get her ears pierced. The illustrations go along exactly with what the text says, which makes it easier for readers to understand. The text is short and has mostly sigh words within it. This book is very easy to follow along and beginning readers in elementary school shouldn't have a problem with reading it.

Summary:
This book is about a little girl who desperately wants to get her ears pierced so she can wear earrings. She wants them! She has to have them!  She goes through so much trying to persuade her mom and dad to let her get her ears pierced. But will her parents let her?

Educational Purpose:
I will read this book to my class. After I read it, I will ask them to go back to their seats and draw a picture of something they really desperately want. Then, they will paint their picture. After it dries I will have them turn it over and write what they want and why they want it. I will send it home with the students when everyone has completed it. They will give this picture to their parents for a Christmas Present wish.

Birthday Presensts Book Review

Title: Birthday Presents
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Sucie Stevenson
Publisher: The Trumpet Club 1992
Pages:32
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating System: Early Elementary (4 Recommended)
This book is aimed more towards early elementary, preferably K-3rd grade. This book offers great illustrations that are appealing to the eye, along with a text that can be lengthy but the word usage is perfect for early elementary readers. This story is very easy to follow along and gives great perspectives about birthdays. Another great part about this book is that all students can make connections with it and become super engaged from the beginning to the end.

Summary:
This book is about a little girl whose parents share memories with her of each of her birthdays up until her 6th birthday. But what happens on her 6th birthday?

Educational Purpose:
I will read this book to my students. After I read the book, I will ask my students if any of them got the best birthday present ever. I will allow them to share with their class. Then I will have them write in their journals. The prompt will be "The best birthday present I got was...". After they write in their journals and check with me, I will ask them to draw a picture of their birthday present.

Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Author/Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Publisher: Harper and Row 1963
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 40

Rating System: Early Elementary 5 (recommended)
This book is a pre-K-1 grade reading level. This book is a classic for all ages and helps with building imagination. The pictures in the book make it easy for kids to use their imagination and the text makes this book seem real to some kids. Any book that involves students using their imagination is a spectacular book.

Summary:
There is a little boy named Max. He is looking for a little fun, so he dresses up like a wolf. Unfortunately, his mother is tired of this  and sends him to bed without any supper. But unexpectedly a forest grows in his bedroom and Max is taken away to a land of Wild Things. Thankfully, the Wild Things are nice Things and do not eat Max; but instead they make him their king. Will Max return to his mother and finally eat his dinner?

Educational Purpose:
This book is a classic and so many activities can be used with it. In my classroom, I would have my students look at the pictures but come up with their own version of the book. This will show me how creative my students are. When the students get done with writing their own version, I will have them do a share out and they will share their versions of the story with myself and their classmates.

The Polar Express Book Review

Title: The Polar Express
Author/Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 1985
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 32

Rating System: Early Elementary 5 (recommended)
This book is a K-2 grade reading level. This book offers amazing illustrations on every page that will help young readers understand what's going on in the book if the text gets to challenging for them. The text can be very lengthy with some challenging vocabulary words. One of the things I love about this book is that it gives great insight about Christmas and what it means to be grateful for what you have. This would be an awesome book to read during Christmas time.

Summary:
One late Christmas Eve night, a boy boards a mysterious train called "The Polar Express". It was heading for the North Pole. Once the express arrived, Santa offers the little boy any gift he so desires. The boy asks for one special gift, a bell from the harness of a reindeer. But then the bell is lost. On Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the tree. The boy's mother admires the bell. He shakes the bell and only he can hear it, no one else can.

Educational Purpose:
Since this is a Christmas book, I will present it to the class during the holidays. I would make sure the students understand what it means to be grateful for what you have and get for Christmas because one of their friends or classmates might not get anything for Christmas. After we read the book, we will decorate "Polar Express" sugar cookies.

Mr. Wolf's Pancakes

Title: Mr. Wolf's Pancakes
Author/Illistrator: Jen Fearnley
Publisher:Tandem Library 2001
Pages: 28
Genre: Folklore

Rating: Early Elementary 4 (recommended)
This book is a K-2 reading level. This book has lengthy text along with illustrations on every page that are very appealing to the eye. I rate this book a 4 because it has a serious of events that can be fun to follow along and you never know what is going to happen next. Early elementary students would love this book.

Summary:
This book is about Mr. Wolf and he wants to make pancakes for breakfast but doesn't know where to start. He then goes on an adventure asking his neighbors. He asked Chicken Little, Wee Willy Winkle, the Gingerbread man, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Little Pigs to ask what he should do. All of his neighbors didn't help him so he had to figure it out himself. After a while, Mr. Wolf figures out how to make them and he makes a HUGE pile of pancakes. His neighbors smell the pancakes and calls Mr. Wolf asking if he will share his pancakes but he gets his just "desserts".

Educational Purpose:
When I read this book it makes me think of being a bully and excluding people. After I were to read this book to my students I would ask them if not helping out a "neighbor" or a friend is nice? What are ways we can help our friends? How can we include them? I feel this would be a great lesson when teaching students how to treat others with respect. I would also make pancakes during this lesson and SHARE with all the students so they get the full effect.

Pig Boy: A Trickster Tale From Hawaii

Title: Pig Boy: A Trickster Tale From Hawaii
Author/Illustrator: Gerald McDermott
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt New York 2009
Pages: 32
Genre: Folktale

Rating: Grade 2-Grade 4 4 (recommended)
This book is recommended for second grade through fourth grade. There are illustrations that are very appealing to the eye. They text can be lengthy and with more challenging vocabulary words. This story is very useful because its a great example of a trickster tale.

Summary:
With the tropical colors and cadences of the islands,
Big Boy is a hairy, dirty boy is very hungry. He goes through many obstacles and causes problems all throughout the book. When trouble comes along he always knows what to do because he is a "trickster" and they know everyway possible to get themselves out of trouble. Does he go all he way through the book without getting trouble? You will have to read it to find out.

Educational Purpose:
I would use this book when showing different types of folk tales. I would read this trickster tale and a fairy tale and have the students compare and contrast both of them. I would also use this book for an art project. I would explain the difference between warm and cold colors. Then I will assign them to make their own pig boy.

The Real Mother Goose Review

Title: The Real Mother Goose
Author: Blanche Fisher Wright
Illustrator: Blanche Fisher Writght
Genre: Poetry and Rhymes
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publisher Date: First published in 1916. Scholastic printed in 1994         
Pages: 128

Rating: Early Elementary 4 (recommended)
This book is for early elementary. There are illustrations that are very appealing to the eye with tons of poems in it. There are some strong vocabulary words but the stories are very easy to understand and to the point.

Summary:
This book has a collection of nursery rhymes that tend to be very lively and "roll off the tongue". These stories are meant for a fun time while reading. The illustrations really help the reader better understanding about what they are reading. This book also shows many different types of poetry.

Educational Purpose:
Before I read some of the nursery rhymes, I will ask them if they have ever heard of nursery rhymes. I will then ask them if they know what a poem is. I want the students to make connections to get them excited about poetry. I would use this book and read random poems to get them interested in poetry. Then I will ask my class to write two of their own poems and if they feel comfortable, I would ask them to read them out loud to the class.

Barnyard Banter Review

 Title: Barnyard Banter
Author: Denise Fleming
Publisher: Scholastic
Published Date: February 1995
Pages: 29
Genre: Poetry and Rhymes

Rating: Early Elementary 4 (recommended)
This book is a K-1 reading level. I feel this book is challenging when teaching young students correct sounds, animals and the sounds they make. I feel this book would only be challenging to younger kids. If I were to read this book to an upper elementary class they would be uninterested quickly.
 
Summary:
This book is an adventure book. Before you turn the page, you will be wondering what is going to happen next. This book is about a goose who chases a butterfly. The goose then, chases the butterfly all through the barn. Then the goose.... To figure out what happens next, you will have to read this awesome book.

Educational Purpose:
Before I would read this book to my students, I would ask them if they know any animals on a farm?  If so, what sounds do those specific animals make? I would do this just to make connections before diving into a book.  I would read the animals names, say the sounds they make and have my students repeat after me. To follow up the book, I would have them draw their favorite barnyard animal, tell me the sounds it makes and why they chose to draw that specific barnyard animal.

Title: The Berenstain Bears And Too Much Junk Food
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Illustrator: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Mar 12, 1985         
Pages: 30

Rating: Early Elementary 4 (recommended)
This book is a K-2 reading level. This book has lengthy text along with illustrations on every page. I rate this book a 4 because being healthy is very important and this would be easy to incorporate into education.

Summary:
Momma bear notices the cubs are gaining a little weight and eating a lot of junk food. She brings the family to the doctor so they can learn about being healthy and nutrition. The family realizes that they need to be more healthy,so the next time they go to the store they buy all healthy foods and zero junk food. The family notices how great they feel when they fill their bodies with healthy nutritious foods.

Educational Purposes:
Our world is very obese and needs to learn to be healthy. This book introduces many concepts about being healthy and ways you can change your diet and life style to become healthy. I feel this book has a lot of educational purposes.

      

Ruby the Copycat Review

Title: Ruby the Copycat

Author: Peggy Rathmann

Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann

Genre: Fiction

Publisher / Copyright Date: Scholastic Inc 1991

Pages: 28

 

 

Rating:

Early Elementary K-2. 4 (Recommend)

This book is a K-2 reading level. There are pictures on every page but the text is longer on some pages. I would give this book a four because of all the purposes it serves for children growing up and going through school. The vocabulary is challenging as well.

 

Summary:

Ruby is a little girl who is very unsure of herself. She goes to school and copies a little girl that sits  her. Everything the little girls says,she says it. One day she went home and made an outfit that looks exactly like the little girls. The teacher figured out what was going on and told Ruby that its important that she is okay with being herself because she was perfect the way she was.

Educational Purpose: This book teaches students that its important to be yourself. Copying other people may make others mad and you don't want to be like that person because you are you for a reason.

The Fault in Our Stars: Book Review

Author: John Green
Genre: Young-adult fiction
Publisher: Dutton's Children's Books, a division of the Penguin Group
Pages: 315

Rating: High School 4 (recommended)
This book is meant for 14+ years of age. The age range reflects readability and appropriateness. This book would be perfect for high school students who are interested. This book is written in more of a higher reading level. I gave this book a 4 for my recommendation because it will be readable and enjoyable to most students.  It is very easy to follow along and understand what is going on in the story, it gives great mental pictures, and  it will give the more advanced readers more of a challenge.
Summary:
Hazel Grace is a 17 year old girl who is dying of caner, but because of a new drunk her disease is delayed. Because of her type of cancer she has to carry around an oxygen take at all times to help her breathe. Her mom finds her to be very depressed, so she brought her to a cancer support group, where she meets the love of her life Augustus. His disease is delayed as well because the doctors amputated his leg. Hazel is obsessed with the author named Peter Van Houten. She feels his books describe her life events. Come to find out, his books are about his daughter who died when she was 8 of cancer. Augustus surprises her with a trip to Amsterdam to meet the author. When they met the author he was crabby and rude. He had nothing positive to say to her about her cancer or about live. They leave his house upset and confused asking why is he so bitter? They then return to their hotel room and express their love for each other. That next morning, Augustus tells Hazel Grace that his cancer has returned. When they get back to the states, they do everything they can to ensure they are spending quality time with each other before something bad happens to one of them. Augustus got sicker and sicker and asked Van Houten to use his words and write a eulogy for Hazel Grace if he were to pass away. He wants her to know how much he loves her and how she lived her life. So what happens? Do they live happily ever after?

Educational Purpose: This is another great life lesson book. Cancer is killing more and more people today. We want people to learn to have compassion for others because you don't know what they are going through on an everyday basis. It also teaches us to care and love for those who are suffering everyday. It helps you appreciate all the things you have in life. This book really teaches the value of life and how we should live it to the fullest!

If I Stay: Book Review

Author:
Genre: Young-adult fiction
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Pages: 320

Rating:
High School 4 (recommended)
This book is meant for 14+ years of age. The age range reflects readability and appropriateness. This book would be perfect for high school students who are interested. This book is written in more of a higher reading level. I gave this book a 4 for my recommendation because it will be readable and enjoyable to most students.  It is very easy to follow along and understand what is going on in the story, it gives great mental pictures, and  it will give the more advanced readers more of a challenge.

Summary:
Mia is a 17 year old very gifted musician with plans to attend Julliard. Her parents were also punk rockers back in their day and she had a 7 year old brother named Teddy. You could say this family really loved each other. One day, because of a huge amount of snow fall, the kids had a snow day. The family decided to go on a road trip to visit friends when suddenly a truck struck their car. Mia was is on the edge of life of death. She is in a coma and has an out of body experience after the crash. She sees everything that happened after the crash and the events that happen in the hospital. Of course she was so scared and concerned for her family but she soon found out her parents died instantly and her brother made it to the hospital but didn't make it. Throughout the movie it shows many flash blacks of Mia and her family. One of the flash backs explains her love for a talented guitarist named Adam. But because of the accident he wasn't able to see her to tell her he loves her too. Her grandparents are the only family left in her life. While Mia is still in her coma, she hears two nurses telling the grandparents that its her decision if she wants to fight to live or not. Her grandpa is holding her hand telling her that it is okay if she wants to go and how much they love her. Adam finally gets to the hospital and rushes into her room. He kisses her on the lips and tells her how much he loves her. Does the power of his love make her fight to live or does she let go?

Educational Purpose:
I feel this book could show many things to high school students. It shows them how fast life can be taken from you. It shows to always tell your loved ones how much you love them and appreciate them. The most important purpose is to watch what you say to others. I can't imagine what it would be like to say a rude comment and bully someone and then the next day they are gone. After I read the book and watched the movie, I drove home just to tell my parents how much I loved them. I called family and friends who I haven't seen or talked too in a long time just to let them know how much I appreciate them. This book really teaches the value of life and how we should live it to the fullest!

Introduction Blog

Introduction:

My name is Kelci May and I am from a small town called Choteau Montana. I am  currently a senior at the University of Great Falls. I am studying elementary education with an emphasis of communication arts. I cannot wait to pursue my dreams of becoming an elementary teacher.

 

What is the purpose of this blog?

The purpose of this blog is to show my students that learning is EVERYWHERE! Most learning is learned outside of school. Children tend to learn more because of what surrounds them. Not only is this a great way to engage all my students, but it can be used anywhere that has internet connection.  Also, reading is a very important aspect of learning. If you cannot read, how are you supposed to learn? Teaching students how important reading is crucial. With that being said, my students will be able to look at books that I rate, read them and communicate with their classmates and I about them.
 I will be rating the books on a 5 star rating:



Reading level system:

Pre-School books will not have much reading content. They will mostly consists of pictures with a word or two to describe what the picture means.
Early Elementary books are going to be in the pre-school through second grade reading level and they will be books that focuses on learning the words and how a book works.
Elementary books will be kindergarten through sixth grade. Unlike the early elementary books, these books will be more focused on the text and not so much pictures.
Middle School books are going to be in the sixth grade through eighth grade level. More text will be represented to ensure full knowledge is being gained.
High School books are going to be eighth grade through twelfth grade the books will be more complex. A more mature reader will steam from reading this level.


My favorite children's book.
Title: Ruby the Copycat
Author: Peggy Rathman