Picture Books From This Summer

Hello!

    I have taken a little summer hiatus, however, now I am back!  And even though I have not written on the blog in a few months, I have certainly continued reading books that my students would enjoy and thinking about great activities to do in the new school year ahead. Here are some new picture books that can be used for multiple grade levels:

(http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Goes-Bananas-C-P-Bloom/dp/1419708856)

     The Monkey Goes Bananas by C.P. Bloom is a wordless book with humor, action, and suspense.  Kids of all ages would find it hysterical and would be so excited to turn the page and find out what happens.  Besides the basic idea of story telling and having the students explain what is happening on each page and why, this book is perfect to teach inferencing and predictions based on the illustrations.  Speech and Language Pathologists would find this picture book perfect of their lessons since students would have to be detailed in explaining why the monkey acts the way he does and what they think the consequences of his actions may be.  Students will love the silly ideas that the monkey has but also the unlikely ending.

(http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Trails-Susan-Middleton-Elya/dp/1582349274/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407788801&sr=8-1&keywords=fairy+trails)

     Fairy Trails by Susan Middleton Elya is a book that incorporates exactly what you would think from the title and cover illustration: fairy tales! I love fairy tales but this book gives an additional twist; not only does it rhyme but it incorporates spanish words throughout!  It's perfect for teaching students some simple spanish words, especially since they can guess the meaning of the word based on the context of the story.  Spanish teachers who instruct on basic spanish words would love it for multiple grade levels.  The storyline is also cute being that the two main characters meet different fairy tales throughout which help them accomplish their main goal.  It was fun for me to ask my student which fairy tale the characters were in on each page and even read to her the ones that were unfamiliar to expand on her learning and help her understand the story even better.

(http://www.amazon.com/The-Eraserheads-Kate-Banks/dp/0374399204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407789439&sr=8-1&keywords=the+eraserheads)

     One of the most clever stories with the most detailed illustrations is the book The Eraserheads by Kate Banks.  It takes you through a day in the life of erasers with a little boy who loves to draw.  The three erasers have big jobs on their hands but learn to love their "gifts" and "talents" in the end even though they have many struggles throughout the way.  I actually found this book to be geared more towards the older grades.  It is perfect for teaching message and theme with 4th, 5th and 6th graders and to have them use the text and illustrations to support their ideas.

(http://www.amazon.com/Slam-Tale-Consequences-Adam-Stower/dp/1771470070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407790299&sr=8-1&keywords=slam%21+a+book+of+consequences)

     Finally, the last book that I have read this summer that would be excellent to use with students in the upcoming school year is the book titled Slam!  A Tale of Consequences by Adam Stower.  This is another wordless book (these types of books are quite popular this year!) with lots of details and adventure.  From the beginning, the main character's first action causes a ripple effect into lots of other actions that change the entire town.  The boy is so focused on his own life, and is completely tuned out to the world around him due to the headphones that he wears, that he misses all of the events!  This book would be perfect to teach students cause and effect, onomatopoeias (since the only words are "bam!" and "whack!"), and have the students explain the point of view from each character that was affected in some way by the first event.  It could also be used to show students how being "present" in their own lives and focusing on the world around you is so important so you do not miss something exciting!  This is a great lesson to start teaching our students now, especially since the whole world seems to be focused on technology rather than the experiences that surround them.


     While planning lessons for the upcoming school year, take a look at these books to incorporate in your teaching.  Adding something new to your plans can keep you fresh as a teacher and excited about the new year ahead!