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HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!! Try this cute craft when done reading.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Books All About Spring
Some of my favorites to read to children at story time about Spring are the following:
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Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The Fault in Our Stars (Green)
The Fault in Our Stars (Green) Click here for some great lesson plans for this book!
Monday, March 17, 2014
"The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
OK, OK, OK, I'll read it already. My 18 year old daughter has convinced me that I must read this book, so read it I will and I'll review it here as soon as she gets her copy back from her friend, which "better be soon". :)
An Amazon reviewer wrote, "I've read a lot of books, but this is one of my all time favorites; that's not something I can say about very many books. I'll make it simple; I'm a fifteen year old teenage boy. When I usually read a book, I toss it aside and move on to the next one. And, like most teenage boys, I am not very emotional. At the end of this book, I cried. Not just a few tears either; I was full on bawling my eyes out. That's how good this book is. I promise you, unless you have a heart of stone, you will love this book."
My daughter bawled her eyes out as well. PS: The trailer for the movie, which comes out in June, looks enticing, I must say.
And.......Here are some more great lesson plans from the trusted site TeachingBooks.net.
Book Resources
An Amazon reviewer wrote, "I've read a lot of books, but this is one of my all time favorites; that's not something I can say about very many books. I'll make it simple; I'm a fifteen year old teenage boy. When I usually read a book, I toss it aside and move on to the next one. And, like most teenage boys, I am not very emotional. At the end of this book, I cried. Not just a few tears either; I was full on bawling my eyes out. That's how good this book is. I promise you, unless you have a heart of stone, you will love this book."
My daughter bawled her eyes out as well. PS: The trailer for the movie, which comes out in June, looks enticing, I must say.
And.......Here are some more great lesson plans from the trusted site TeachingBooks.net.
Book Resources
Friday, March 14, 2014
Library Sparks - the Best "darn" Library Magazine in the West
No, I'm not one of the "reps" for Library Sparks magazine. I just love their magazine for teachers and librarians. I used to think that this was really a magazine for librarians only, but "ah contraire". It is chucked full of information for the month, author spotlights and interviews, tips from and for teachers, Common Core helps, Curriculum Connections, Discovering the Natural Sciences with book resources, Character Ed. pieces, Library Lessons, an activity calendar, Story time stories, Reader's Theater, Technology snippets, Fiction and Non-fiction books to investigate. It even has Freebies, Doodads, and Helpful Hints for teachers. It's a must for librarians, especially elementary school librarians.
Did you know that April is Math Awareness Month? I didn't and here are some great ideas to keep your kids on their toes:
*Have an estimation jar or jars on your desk for students to practice their estimation skills (candy or trinkets in a jar, etc.)
*Have other daily or weekly math contests
*Post math riddles, puzzles and jokes.
*Highlight math books in your collection.
*Display picture books with math concepts (numbers, estimation, fractions, predictions, etc.)
*Hold story times with math themes.
April is also Poetry month!
Go to www.librarysparks.com to get a subscription. It's a worth every penny.
Friday, February 28, 2014
All About Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss and His Books
I love Dr. Seuss books. I can still remember my mother reading "Are You My Mother" to me when I was 4 or 5 years old. My mom wore a scarf on her head, over her curlers, so she reminded me of the mother bird in the story and my mom's maiden name is Bird. (I think it's why she liked this book so much.) My mother now has Alzheimer's and I have read it to her a few times, reminding her that she read it to me when I was a child. I've also read this same book to my own children and students for years. All I can say is Hip, Hip, Hooray for Dr. Seuss Day - Sunday, March 2 (National Read Across America Day) or (Dr. Seuss Day) 2014.--Laura
The following is contributed by Elizabeth Kennedy a "must visit" site for book lovers and librarians.
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
See More About
The Amazing Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and his children's books have had a lasting impact on children's literature. If you'd like to know more about this extraordinary man and his books, from his groundbreaking beginning readers The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham to his extraordinary picture books, take a look the resources listed below:Theodor Seuss Geisel
- Hooray for Dr. Seuss! – Brief biography of Theodor Seuss Geisel, mostly commonly known as Dr. Seuss
- What's the Connection Between Theodor Geisel, Dr. Seuss and Theo. Lesieg? – Answer to a frequently asked question
Dr. Seuss Books
- Favorite Picture Books and Beginning Readers by Dr. Seuss – Cover art and brief overview of ten Dr. Seuss favorites, including The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears a Who!, The Lorax, and Oh, the Places You'll Go!
- Your Favorite Seuss: A Baker's Dozen by the One and Only Dr. Seuss - Cover art and book review of this collection of 13 Dr. Seuss stories, which includes an introductory essay for each and biographical information about the author
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! A 50th-Anniversary Retrospective – Brief review and cover art of special edition of Dr. Seuss's classic story of the Grinch
Related Dr. Seuss Features
- The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award - Information about the annual award for beginning reader books, including a list of current and past winners
- Dr. Seuss Author Profile Video - Brief About.com video narrated by author Anita Silvey
- Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook – Review of a children’s cookbook based on Dr. Seuss books
- What is Read Across America and what does it have to do with Dr. Seuss? – Answer to why schools across America celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd
Dr. Seuss Resources from Other About.com Guides
Elsewhere on the Web
Saturday, February 22, 2014
"Gathering Blue" - I just finished reading this remarkable novel by Lois Lowry to my 14 year old son. We both loved it. He read some of the time and I read some of the time, since his reading skills are a bit behind. I won't give an account or summary of the story, just to say that it isn't a sequel to The Giver, but a companion book, a similar story of a dystopian society of poverty on the outside of the capital and excess on the inside. This book is perfect for children aged 10 and older. A must read for both boys and girls. This is also a great discussion book for English and Literature Art classes about so many subjects such as disabilities, loneliness, hope, strength, talents, kindness, poverty and so much more.
http://www.smplanet.com/planetbookclub/novels/blue
This web site has thought provoking discussion questions for each chapter, further reading and research options and more.
FEBRUARY READING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
BY Elizabeth Kennedy
February 1 - Birthday of Author Jerry Spinelli
February 13 - Birth Date of Author and Illustrator Simms Taback
February 28 – Birthday of Author Megan McDonald
February 1 - Birthday of Author Jerry Spinelli
- Stargirl - Award-winning novel for ages 10 to young teens about responding to bullying and peer pressure
- Book Review: My People - Sepia-toned portraits by photographer Charles R. Smith, Jr. give added meaning to the poem by Langston Hughes
- Book Review: Groundhog Day - Facts about this winter event in picture book format
- The 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal - Awarded to David Wiesner for Flotsam
- Book Review: Flotsam - A fascinating wordless picture book
- Book Review: Through Time: Olympics - An illustrated overview of the Olympics, beginning with ancient Greece and ending in 2012.
- Book Review: High-Tech Olympics - A brief illustrated nonfiction book about the impact of technology on the Olympics that will appeal to kids 8 and older, as well as adults
- Book Review: Olympics - A picture book introduction to the summer and winter Olympics for ages 4 to 8
- Recommended Children's Books About the Olympics - History, athletes, technology
- The Little House Books - An overview of Wilder's classic books, including a summary of each and cover art
- 10 Facts About Laura Ingalls Wilder - Wilder and her award-winning Little House books
- Recommended Biographies of Laura Ingalls Wilder - Biographies for a variety of reading levels
- 100 Days of School - One of a number of picture books about Mrs. Madoff’s elementary school class by Anne Rockwell, with illustrations by Lizzy Rockwell
- Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and me, Elizabeth - A Newbery Honor book, a gentle novel for ages 7-10
- Illustrator of How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food and the other How Do Dinosaurs... picture books by Jane Yolen
- The Elephant and Piggie Series - All about Mo Willems’ series for beginning readers
- I Broke My Trunk - Book review of award-winning Elephant and Piggie book
- Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed - Guide Picks: Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2009
- An Interview with Jane Yolen - Author of several hundred books for children
- Book Review: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen - Award-winning picture book
- Book Review: An Egret's Day poetry book by Jane Yolen, with photographs by Jason Stemple, plus factual information about egrets
- Book Review: The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery From History - Entertaining historical fiction in picture book format by Jane Yolen and Elisabet Yolen Stemple.
- Directory of Jane Yolen's Children's Poetry Books About Nature - Poetry books illustrated with color photographs by Jason Stemple.
- See February 10 listing for Mark Teague
- The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary - Nonfiction book by Candace Fleming
- Children's Books About Abraham Lincoln - Five recommended illustrated books
February 13 - Birth Date of Author and Illustrator Simms Taback
- Book Review: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat - Children's book for which Taback received the 2000 Randolph Caldecott Medal for picture book illustration
- Snowy Valentine - A sweet story of love and perseverance
- Book Review: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch - Heartwarming picture book
- Guess How Much I Love You - The Pop-Up Edition
- Recommended Children’s Books for Valentine’s Day - Picture books and books for beginning readers
- Best Valentine’s Day Board Books - 3 Books, 3 Characters Kids Love
- Z is for Moose - Funny alphabet story by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Zelinsky
- Norman Bridwell’s Clifford Collection - 50th Anniversary Edition
- Our Country's Presidents - Nonfiction book from the National Geographic Society
- Book Review: Papa, Do You Love Me? - Picture book by Barbara M. Jossee, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
- Fast Facts About the Wimpy Kid Books - Publication information, brief overview
- The Hundred Dresses - Short children’s novel about bullying by Eleanor Estes, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin
- Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Other Versions - Article about the brothers Grimm and what are known as Grimm's fairy tales.
February 28 – Birthday of Author Megan McDonald
Thursday, November 7, 2013
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Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Check Out my November Lesson Plans...
Don't forget to go to my November lesson plans and get a "gob" of great ideas for the month!!!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
I read this book for the first time with my 14 year old son. He enjoyed it very much. To say that I loved this book is almost like saying that I loved the Holocaust, which of course is ridiculous. What I do love is the way in which Jane Yolen brought my thoughts back to the Holocaust, to never forget the brutality that can occur amongst humans if we do forget our past. The past forgotten, is the past repeated, so we must learn much from our past, the good and the bad. There is so much in this book that reminded me to love more, to hurt others less, and that one person can make a huge difference in the lives of many, by making a difference in the life of one. --Laura Smoot
"Jane Yolen did a fine job of illustrating the importance of remembering." --School Library Journal
By the way, there are study guides and summaries written to teach this book to older students. Check out Amazon or Good Reads under the title "The Devil's Arithmetic". http://www.gradesaver.com/the-devils-arithmetic/study-guide/character-list/
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