My Brother Martin, written by Christine King Farris and beautifully illustrated by Chris Soentpiet tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the eyes of his sister Christine.
In this book we learn about the boyhood of King, known to his sister as “ML”. The author tells us that she and her brothers ML, and AD grew up in Atlanta, Georgia just like normal children. Their days were filled with books, games, friends, and even playing pranks on unsuspecting neighbors. However, she tells us that this was “back in a time when certain places in our country had unfair laws that said it was right to keep black people separated.” ML and his siblings didn’t quite understand the effects of these laws until one day their white playmates were no longer allowed to play with them. Martin is especially confused by what is happening and asks his mother, “Why do white people treat colored people so mean?” His mother answers, “Because they just don’t understand that everyone is the same, but someday, it will be better.” The author tells us that she will always remember ML’s reply, “one day I’m going to turn this world upside down.” The story then continues to tell how ML grew up to become a civil rights leader who “dreamed a dream, that turned the world upside down.”
Curriculum Connections
This book would pair well with any lesson about the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. It could be used for students who are learning about Americans whose contributions improved the lives of others (SOL 2.11, SOL 3.11), as well as the theme that Americans are a people of diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who are united by the basic principles of a republican form of government and respect for individual rights and freedoms (SOL 3.12).
Additional Resources
Author: Christine King Farris
Illustrator: Chris Soentpiet
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 40
Grade Range: 2-4
ISBN: 978-0689843884
As the Crow Flies written by Gail Hartman and illustrated by Harvey Stevenson is a great way to introduce maps to young children.
The book follows the paths of an eagle, a rabbit, a crow, a horse, and a gull. At the end of each animal’s journey a simple map illustrates the places the animal has visited. “AS THE RABBIT HOPS. A path winds around a farmhouse, past a shed, to a garden where the sweet greens grow.” On the facing page the author shows “THE RABBIT’S MAP”, a simply illustrated map with a path from “my house”, to the “farmhouse”, to the “shed”, to the “garden”. At the end of the book the author follows the moon as it shines on each of the animals paths, including the rabbit, “It shines on the garden near the farmhouse in the country.” On the last pages the paths of all the animals come together to form one big map titled “THE BIG MAP”.
Curriculum Connections
This book would work well when introducing students to maps as part of a Geography unit. It is best suited for a kindergarten or 1st grade classroom. The concepts included in the book work with lessons where students will describe the relative location of people, places, and things by using positional words, use simple maps to develop an awareness that a map is a drawing of a place to show where things are located, describe places referenced in stories and real-life situations, and develop an awareness that maps and globes show a view from above, show things in smaller size, and show the position of objects (SOL K.3, K.4a,b and K.5a,b,c).
Additional Resources
Author: Gail Hartman
Illustrator: Harvey Stevenson
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: 1993
Pages: 32
Grade Range: K-2
ISBN: 978-0689717628
Saturday Sancocho, written and illustrated by Leyla Torres, introduces students to the art of bartering. The author/illustrator has included eye-catching, realistic illustrations that will help children envision a bustling South American marketplace.
Every Saturday Maria Lili looks forward to making a sancocho dinner with her grandparents. However, on this day Mama Ana has nothing in her kitchen but eggs, and there is no money for any of the ingredients. Maria Lili is disappointed, but Mama Ana has a plan, “we will use eggs to make sancocho.” “Egg sancocho! Everyone knows sancocho is not prepared with eggs,” says Maria Lili. “Come, my dear, we are going to the market.” As they make their way through the market Mama Ana trades her eggs for the ingredients she needs. After a few stops she begins to trade some of her newly acquired goods for more ingredients. “The next stop was the stall of Dona Carmen. She was not interested in the eggs, but Mama Ana managed to trade nine plantains for four pounds of thick cassava.” For their last important ingredient, the chicken, Mama Ana has another idea. Knowing they have plenty of vegetables and must make a big trade for the chicken she says, “Let’s divide the vegetables equally between the two baskets.” After some haggling she successful trades one of the baskets for a chicken and they head home to make their Saturday Sancocho.
Curriculum Connections
This book would work well in an Economics unit as an introduction to trade and barter. It would work best in a 1st or 2nd grade classroom. The concepts included in the book integrate well with lessons where students are asked to distinguish between the use of barter and the use of money in the exchange for goods and services. (SOL 2.8)
Additional Resources
Author: Leyla Torres
Illustrator: Leyla Torres
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication Date: 1999
Pages: 32
Grade Range: K-2
ISBN: 978-0374464516
In the book One Well: The Story of Water on Earth author Rochelle Strauss explores the concept that all water is connected - oceans, rivers, glaciers and raindrops are all a part of the global well. The book is illustrated beautifully by Rosemary Woods and is part of the series Citizen Kid, a collection of books that inspire children to be better global citizens.
The author has created an engaging and insightful story about the water cycle, how we use water on Earth and the need for conservation. The book begins by explaining the concept that all water on earth is connected. “So whether you are turning on a faucet in North America or pulling water from a well in Kenya, or bathing in a river in India, it is all the same water.” Each page spread is dedicated to addressing an aspect of water on Earth. Children learn about the recycling of water (the water cycle), and how plants, animals and human beings depend on water to live. Children are presented with some uses of water they may be less familiar with. “About 21 percent of the water we use goes to making everything from computers to cars… Water vapor runs machinery. Water is an ingredient in many products such as lotions, shampoos, chemicals and drinks.” Throughout the book there are collections of interesting facts about water and it’s uses. “Every day 1.8 million tonnes (2 million tons) of garbage are dumped into Earth’s water - enough to fill more than 15,000 boxcars.” The last pages of the book explore access, demand, pollution and conservation. The author addresses the need to think now about how we treat our water supply because it affects the entire earth and its inhabitants for years to come.
Curriculum Connections
This book pairs nicely with curriculum that teaches conservation or the water cycle and would be appropriate for grades 3-5. Students can learn about the processes involved in the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation) (SOL 3.9b), that water is essential for living things (3.9 c), and about the supply and conservation of water. (SOL 3.9d) Teachers may also find the book a good fit when teaching about natural resources and how human influences can affect the survival of species. (SOL 3.10a,b,d)
Additional Resources
- The back pages in the book provide additional information and ideas for discussing water conservation. The publisher, Kids Can Press has a Learning Resource guide for the book on their website.
- The EPA has an easy to understand animation of the water cycle as well as a good selection of interactive games.
- This complete lesson plan Water: A Never Ending Story includes hands on activities for exploring evaporation, condensation, precipitation and water and soil.
Author: Rochelle Strauss
Illustrator: Rosemary Woods
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 32 pages
Grade Range: 3-5
ISBN: 978-1553379546
A Seed in Need: A First Look at the Plant Cycle by Sam Godwin is an engaging introduction to the life cycle of a plant. The author describes the parts of the flower and the life cycle in language that is easy for younger readers to understand. The bright and cheery illustrations by Simone Abel are sure to capture the attention of young children.
This story takes the reader from seed, to seedling, to bud, and finally to sunflower. Along the way the two main characters of the book, Snail and Ladybug provide conversational dialogue that includes additional facts about plants and funny comments. On one page we learn that “The white shoot pushes its way through the soil. It has become a seedling.” Snail says, “Plants need sunlight to make them big and strong.” Ladybug replies, “I like sunlight, too!” The stem grows taller and thicker, gets sunlight and water, and plays host to little creatures of the garden. Soon a bud appears and begins to unfold. “The bud turns into a beautiful flower. Bees and butterflies come to visit.” Readers learn from Snail that the insects come to drink the nectar. Finally the petals fall and the gardener collects the seeds to plant next spring. The cycle is complete. On the last page there is a two page illustration of the sunflower, so children have a chance to review the parts of the plant.
Curriculum Connections
This book is perfect for introducing the parts of a plant and learning about plant life cycles. It would work best in the K-1 classroom. The concepts included would integrate well with lessons where the students must investigate and understand the basic needs and life processes of plants and animals; including living things change as they grow and need food, water and air to survive; and plants and animals live and die (go through a life cycle) (SOLs k.6a,b, and 1.4a). It would also work well with students learning the parts of a plant (seeds, roots, stems, leaves, blossoms, fruits) (SOL 1.4b)
Additional Resources
- In the back of the book is a page of vocabulary words, a few fun facts and a short list of other books.
- This sequencing worksheet would be a good exercise to reinforce the stages of the plant’s life cycle.
- Students investigate the inside of a lima bean seed in this experiment.
- This lesson plan has students grow their own seeds.
- This web activity lets students put the parts of a plant together and shows a seed growing under different conditions.
Author: Sam Godwin
Illustrator: Simone Abel
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 32
Grade Range: K-1
ISBN: 978-0750024976
If you are beginning to teach simple machines to your students, Michael Dahl’s book Pull, Lift, and Lower: A Book About Pulleys, is an easy to understand introduction to the way pulleys work. The illustrations by Denise Shea are simple, yet show enough detail for children to comprehend the mechanics of pulleys.
The author begins the book by using the crane to introduce the concept of lifting heavy objects. He then gives children easy to comprehend definitions of the simple machine and pulley. “A simple machine is anything that helps people do work.” “A pulley uses a wheel and a rope, or cable. The rope wraps over the wheel. When the rope is pulled at one end, the wheel helps lift the rope on the other end.” Children are then shown examples of pulleys that they are probably familiar with, such as window blind cords and flag poles. The author continues to introduce and explain to the reader different types of pulleys in easy to understand text. For example, “Some pulleys use more than one wheel. More wheels make a load easier to lift. A block and tackle is a combination of several wheels and ropes that work together.” The author closes with another image of the crane and the idea that “Pulleys help keep the world moving.”
Curriculum Connections
This book would be a great way to introduce the study of simple machines in your classroom. It seems best suited to 2nd and 3rd graders. The concepts presented would integrate well with science lessons where the students investigate and understand types of simple machines (lever, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and wedge) and their uses, (SOL 3.2 a, b) and become familiar with examples found in the school, home, and work environment. (SOL 3.2d)
Additional Resources
Book: Pull, Lift, and Lower: A Book About Pulleys
Author: Michael Dahl
Illustrator: Denise Shea
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Publication Date: July 2002
Pages: 24 pages
Grade Range: 1-3
ISBN: 978-1404819085
In Barbara Mariconda’s book Sort it Out! we meet Packy the pack rat. Packy has collected quite a load of odds and ends. His mother tells him he must sort his collection and put everything away. Children will be engaged throughout the story by the author’s use of rhyming text as well as the detailed and colorful illustrations by Sherry Rogers.
As Packy begins his sorting task he names all the things he has collected and thinks about ways he can group them together. As the story continues Packy sorts all of his items into like groups. Items are sorted using both familiar and out of the ordinary characteristics. The author pushes children to think beyond attributes such as shape or color with ideas such as, “The locket, umbrella, and book that he chose, these are all things you can open and… close.” On each page the text is designed to prompt the reader to respond with the next rhyming word. “The needle, the locket, the dented tin kettle, all these three things are made out of… metal.” Cleverly, the response is the word that defines each group and it is represented by a large illustration as well as the word. Some children may notice that some of Packy’s items are included in more than one group. The book also includes a subtle mystery. At the end of the book Packy “scratched at his head, and said “I’ve been thinking; why does it seem my collection is shrinking?” Readers who have been paying close attention may have noticed Packy’s sister lurking in the background on some of the pages. On the last page, we see that she has swiped the missing items and is having a tea party outside.
Curriculum Connections
This book is a winning introduction to sorting, classifying, and making observations for grades K-2. In the state of Virginia this book would pair with the Science SOL K.1a, learning to identify basic properties of objects by observation. It would also be appropriate to use in support of the 1st grade Science SOL 1.1c, learning to classify and arrange objects according to attributes or properties. Teachers of 2nd grade could also use the book in teaching the Science SOL 2.1c, two or more attributes are used to classify items.
Additional Resources
- The back pages in the book provide additional sorting exercises using Packy’s items. There is a hidden pictures exercise, a classifying card game and a writing component that helps students think of different ways to describe objects. Additional activities are available to download from the Teaching Activities page at Sylvan Dell Publishing. Activities and lesson plans include an edible sort, animal classification and a writing activity.
- Lesson Planz.com has some great sorting activities for grades k-2. I like the Halloween Candy Sort because it expands the lesson to cover graphing. For 2nd graders the Spider Sort has many applications for expanding these concepts.
- Additional sorting worksheets can be downloaded at Enchanted Learning.com.
Book: Sort it Out!
Author: Barbara Mariconda
Illustrator: Sherry Rogers
Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
Publication Date: May 13, 2008
Pages: 32 pages
Grade Range: K-2
ISBN: 978-1934359112
