Author Archive for Ryan

Teaching Civics With Chidren’s Literature: Woodrow, The White House Mouse

Published by Ryan on November 15, 2009 in civics and book review. 0 Comments

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Woodrow, The White House Mouse written and illustrated by Peter W. Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes chronicles the presidency of Woodrow G. Washingtail.  The book follows President Washingtail and his family, First Lady Bess, and his children Truman, Franklin, Quentin, Kermit, Dolley, Millie, George and Art as they get to know the White House and the duties of  the President.  Woodrow, The White House Mouse explains  the duties of the president and the intricacies of The White House by using poetry on every page.  The illustrations in this adorable and cleverly written book highlight The State Room, The Oval Office, The East Room, The Red Room, The Green Room, and The Blue Room at Christmas.  The students will enjoy learning about the Departments of the Government and what it takes to pass a bill.  This is the perfect book for helping students understand the jobs and roles of the President and the different Departments of Government.

Here are a few excerpts from the book.

  • “So on a cold winter’s day, with the most solemn respect, two presidents swore to preserve and protect, our nation, our freedoms, out flag see it wave- our land of the free and our home of the brave.” (pg. 3)
  • “The President has a big job, you’ll agree- many places to go, many people to see.  In the great Oval Office, he does all his thinkin’- And Woodrow, they say, is as smart as Abe Lincoln!” (pg. 12)
  • “The President is required to study each “bill”, that Congress delivers from Capitol Hill.  If he signs it, a bill becomes law-it’s approved.  If he gives it a “veto,” it’s rejected, removed.” (pg. 29)

Curriculum Connections:
Woodrow, The White House Mouse is an easy-read with wonderful illustrations to help students in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade to learn about civics. For kindergartners, this book will help them recognize the American flag and know  that the President is the leader of The United States. (VA SOL K.9)   First graders will recognize the symbols and traditional practices that honor and foster patriotism in the United States by identifying the American flag, and the Washington Monument. (VA SOL 1.1)  Second graders will explain the responsibilities of a good citizen, with emphasis on demonstrating self-discipline and self reliance, and practicing honesty and trustworthiness.  (VA SOL 2.10)  Woodrow, The White House Mouse will help third graders recognize the importance of government in the community, Virginia, and the United States of American by explaining that the basic purposes of government are to make laws, carry out laws, and decide if laws have been broken.  (VA SOL 3.10)  Furthermore, the book will help students explain the importance of the basic principles that form the foundation of a republican for of government by describing the individual rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and equality under the law.  (VA SOL 3.11)

Additional Resources

  • If you have access to a computer in your classroom, this slide show of concepts is a good way for students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade to learn the basics about our government, specifically the Constitution, the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch.  You can also click on different categories and different age ranges for more information.
  • If you are looking for another great book to help your students understand more specific information like The Bill of Rights or The First Amendment, or political figures like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton, then you should read The Bill Of Rights written by Norman Pearl.
  • Scholastic offers several links to websites all aimed at helping students understand different parts of government.  Scholastic offers links to every topic from Presidents (past and present), to first ladies, to constitutional rights.  My favorite link is Seven Roles of One President.

Book: Woodrow, The White House Mouse
Authors: Peter Barnes and Cheryl Barnes
Illustrators: Peter Barnes and Cheryl Barnes
Publisher: Vacation Spot Pub.; 2nd edition
Publication Date: November 1998
Pages: 32 Pages
Grade Range: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade
ISBN: 978-0963768896

Teaching Geography with Children’s Literature: Buster

Published by Ryan on November 2, 2009 in geography and book review. 0 Comments

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Buster, a book written by Denise Fleming, follows a dig named Buster through his quest to get away from the new family pet, a cat named Betty.  Not only is Buster afraid of cats, but he ruled the roost before Betty came along.  Buster had his own dishes with his name, a large grassy yard with a tall oak tree to nap under, a sandpit for taking dirt baths, an in-and-out flap on the back door, a basketful of toys, and a radio tuned to his favorite station.  However, Betty came along, she took over all of his private spaces and even changed his radio station, so Buster ran away from the house.  He spent the day at a nearby park but could not find his way back home after dark.  He searched for familiar clues or anything he would recognize, but found nothing until he saw Betty waving her paw.  He followed Betty all the way home and realized how nice she was after all.     Buster teaches students  the importance of looking for familiar landmarks when they are lost.  The students will enjoy following Buster as he ventures to and from the park.

Here are a few excerpts from the book.

  • “Not his usual park but a fine park with tall trees, a bubbling fountain, tubs of flowers, large grassy patches, and not a cat in sight.” (pg. 16)
  • “He looked up the street.  He looked down the street.  Nothing looked familiar.” (pg. 27)
  • “Buster ran out of the park, around two corners, over five streets, turned left, and ran up the block.” (pg. 37)

Curriculum Connections:
Buster is an easy-read with wonderful illustrations to help students in kindergarten and first grade learn about geography. For kindergarten students, this book will help them use simple maps and globes 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 to locate land and water features.  (VA SOL K.4)  For first graders, students will develop map skills by recognizing basic map symbols, including references to land, water, cities and globes.  (VA SOL 1.4) 

Additional Resources

  • This kindergarten map activity is great for teaching both kindergarten and first grade students to how look for familiar landmarks to help them know where they are.  You can use the school or the classroom as a reference point.
  • This book helps students get a great grasp for the basics of mapping and geography skills.  It’s colorful and interactive too!
  • Draw a map of the inside of your school, and walk around the halls with the students and try to get to specific landmarks using specific references.

Book: Buster
Author: Denise Fleming
Illustrator: N/A
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication Date: September 2003
Pages: 40 Pages
Grade Range: Kindergarten and First Grade
ISBN: 978-0805062793

Teaching Economics With Children’s Literature: The Hard-Times Jar

Published by Ryan on October 26, 2009 in economics and book review. 0 Comments

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The Hard-Times Jar written by Ethel Footman Smothers and illustrated by John Holyfield explores the exciting ideas of economics by following the life of Emma Jean Turner and her family.  The Turner’s were migrant workers who had to follow the crops, so money was often difficult to come by in their house.  Emma’s mother, whom she referred to as “Mama”, created a jar that was called “the hard-times jar” to collect every little bit of change possible.  The hard-times jar was only supposed to be used in an emergency if the family runs out of something important before payday.  This colorful books explains  Emma’s desire to spend the money in the hard-times jar on a store-bought book.  The Hard-Times Jar teaches students  the importance of working hard for money and valuing the money they have.  The Hard-Times Jar also explains the idea of scarce resources and how those scarce resources can effect a family.  The students will enjoy following Emma as she leaves the family apple picking group, attends school, and eventually buys her first store-bought book.

Here are a few excerpts from the book.

  • “Mama’s hard-times jar lay tucked between blankets.  It was just about half full of loose change.  Solid nickels.  Rusty red pennies.  Thin Dimes.  And every now and then a fat quarter.” (pg. 5)
  • “There were lots of boys and girls just like Miss Miller had said.  But none were chocolate- brown like her.” (pg. 17)
  • “That’s what the hard-times jar is for.  For hard times.” (pg. 29)

Curriculum Connections:
The Hard-Times Jar is an easy-read with wonderful illustrations to help students in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade to learn about economics. For kindergarten students, this book will help them recognize that people make choices because they cannot have everything they want.  (VA SOL K.7)  For first graders, students will recognize that people save money for the future to purchase goods and services.  (VA SOL 1.9)  For second graders, The Hard-Times Jar will help students explain that scarcity (limited resources) requires people to make choices about producing and consuming goods and services. (VA SOL 2.9)  For third graders, this book will help students understand that because people and regions cannot produce everything they want, they specialize in what they do best and trade for the rest.  (VA SOL 3.8)

Additional Resources

  • This interactive poem is great for teaching students about scarcity and how people have to make choices because they cannot have everything they want.
  • This quiz provides some good questions for students so teachers can test students’ knowledge of the material.  The quiz is multiple choice and the majority of the questions test the students knowledge of vocabulary words and overall economics ideas.
  • If You Give A Mouse A Cookie is another book that will help students understand how people have to make choices.  This book can also help explain the idea of “and” vs. “or.”   Plus, the students will love it!

Book: The Hard-Times Jar
Author: Ethel Footman Smothers
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication Date: August 2003
Pages: 32 Pages
Grade Range: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade
ISBN: 978-0374328528

Teaching Earth Science with Children’s Literature: On the Same Day in March

Published by Ryan on September 16, 2009 in earth science and book review. 0 Comments

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On The Same Day In March written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Frane Lessac offers a tour of the world’s weather.  This bright and colorful books explains  the changes of weather by taking the reader on a tour throughout the world.  On the Same Day in March teaches students about the weather cycle by explaining why the weather is different in every part of the world on the same day.  The illustrations in On the Same Day in March clearly depict how “in March, winter turns to spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and summer turns to fall in the Southern Hemisphere. The students will enjoy following the weather on “the same day in March” from the Arctic to Thailand to Antarctica!

Here are a few excerpts from the book.

  • “In the Arctic polar bears ride on floes of ice, stalking seals, wishing fish, as the six-month sun begins to rise slowly in the arctic skies.” (pg. 1)
  • “What will the wind carry today? Clouds of blue-winged swallows, dust that hurts their eyes, rain from up the mountain, kites shaped like butterflies?” (pg. 13)
  • “Sunlight sparkles on the market.  Sunlight dazzles on the sand.” (pgs. 19 and 20)

Curriculum Connections:
On the Same Day in March is an easy-read with wonderful illustrations for students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade to learn about the exciting world of weather. For kindergarten students, this book will help them investigate and understand simple patterns in his or her daily life by examining weather observations.  (VA SOL K.8)  For first graders, students will investigate and understand the relationship of seasonal change and weather to the activities and life processes of plants and animals.  Key concepts include how temperature, light, and precipitation bring about changes in people’s dress, recreation, and work. (VA SOL 1.7)  For second graders, On the Same Day in March will help students investigate and understand basic types, changes, and patterns of weather. (VA SOL 2.6)  

Additional Resources

  • This WizKids website has great information for teachers, parents and students on different types of weather occurrences.
  • This Teaching Website provides lesson plans and activities for teachers to do with their class during a weather unit.
  • This fun weather website introduces several fun hands-on activities for kids.  (Click on the hurricane link, it’s my favorite!)

Book: One the Same Day in March
Author: Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Frane Lessac
Publisher: HarperFestival
Publication Date: December 2001
Pages: 40 Pages
Grade Range: Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade
ISBN: 978-0064435284

Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: Who Eats What?

Published by Ryan on September 12, 2009 in life science and book review. 0 Comments

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Who Eats What written by Patricia Lauber and illustrated by Holly Keller explores the intriguing world of the food chain.  This simple text explains  the intricacies of the food chain.  Who Eats What reinforces the understanding that all parts of the food chain are necessary to the success of the overall cycle.  The illustrations in Who Eats What clearly depict how “small fish are eaten by bigger fish, which are eaten by still bigger fish, which are eaten by even bigger fish.”  (pg. 23)   The book explores and explains why “food chains are found wherever life is found” by creating food webs in the sea, on land, and in the air.  (pg. 25)  The informative text as well as the colorful and exciting pictures make this a great book use when teaching about life processes and living systems.

Here are a few excerpts from the book.

  • “All food chains begin with green plants.  Green plants are the only living things that can make their own food.” (pg. 12)
  • “Most animals are part of several food chains.” (pg. 17)
  • “A change in one link is felt up and down that chain.  It is felt through the whole web.” (pg. 32)

Curriculum Connections:
Who Eats What is a simple text with wonderful illustrations for children in  kindergarten and first grade to learn about the interdependent web of the food chain. For kindergarten students, this book will allow students to trace the entire food chain for one specific plant or animal.  Furthermore, Who Eats What demonstrates that living things change as they grow, and they need food, water and air to survive and that plants and animals live and die. (VA SOL K.6)  For first grade, Who Eats What is the perfect book to explain that plants have life needs and functional parts. (VA SOL 1.4)  

Additional Resources

  • This Enhanced Learning website has great basic information for teachers on trophic levels as well the grassland biome, the pond biome, and the ocean biome.  The website also offers 14 different types of worksheets that can be used as visual aids and well as assignments to  test the student’s overall mastery of the subject matter.
  • This Plant Activity Worksheet allows students to identify different parts of a plant and explain the function of those parts.  (A great teaching tool for VA SOL 1.4!)
  • This Science Teaching Idea Website offers over 50 resources for teaching life science to students in elementary grades.

Book: Who Eats What
Author: Patricia Lauber
Illustrator: Holly Keller
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: December 1994
Pages: 32 Pages
Grade Range: Kindergarten and First Grade
ISBN: 978-0064451307

Teaching Physical Science with Children’s Literature: What Makes A Magnet

Published by Ryan on September 6, 2009 in physical science and book review. 0 Comments

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What Makes A Magnet written by Franklin M. Branley and illustrated by True Kelley explores the exciting world of magnets.  This whimsical book explains what a magnet is, what types of materials magnets are attracted to and how to make a magnet.  What Makes A Magnet also explains how and why the “ends of a magnet are different” (pg. 18) and the Earth’s magnetic field. The book explores why “magnets are strongest at the poles” (pg. 19) by creating a fishing experiment which demonstrates that magnets attract things made of iron.  What Makes A Magnet explains how “magnetism is everywhere on this Earth of ours.  It goes through air and water, glass and walls, cardboard and tabletops.” (pg. 32)

Here are a few excerpts from the book.

  • “A magnet picks up only things  that have a lot of iron in them.” (pg. 10)
  • “The Earth is a magnet because it contains a lot of iron.  The moon does not have as much iron, so it is not a magnet.  Your compass would not work on the moon.” (pg. 21)
  • “Like poles repel each other; unlike poles attract.” (pg. 27)

Curriculum Connections:
What Makes A Magnet is a colorful, educational read-aloud for children in  kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. For kindergarten and first grade, this book will allow students to investigate and understand that magnets have an effect on some materials, make some things move without touching them, and have useful applications.  Furthermore, What Makes A Magnet demonstrates that moving objects exhibit different kinds of motion. (VA SOL K.3 and VA SOL 1.2)  For second grade, What Makes A Magnet is the perfect book to explain slightly more advanced ideas of the Earth’s magnetic field and the north and south poles of a magnet. Students will also be able to investigate and understand that natural and artificial magnets have certain characteristics and attract specific types of metals. (VA SOL 2.2)  

Additional Resources

  • TeAchnology is an online website that offers a wide range of introductory lessons to teachers about magnets, the magnetic field and other themes important to magnets and electricity.
  • This Core Lesson Plan helps teachers design experiments for kindergartners to aid in their understanding of the subject material and capture their attention.
  • What Makes A Magnet offers several activities throughout the text to help students understand the concepts of attraction/repulsion and the north pole/south pole of magnets.

Book: What Makes A Magnet
Author: Franklyn M. Branley
Illustrator: True Kelley
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: July 1996
Pages: 32 Pages
Grade Range: Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade
ISBN: 978-0060264413

Teaching Process Skills with Children’s Literature: A Hunt For Clues

Published by Ryan on August 31, 2009 in process skills and book review. 0 Comments

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A Hunt for Clues written by Anne Miranda and illustrated by Michele Noiset chronicles a young girl’s search for her her pet cat Puff.  The young girl, Mary Sue, solicits help from a boy named Burt and his dog True Blue who he claims “can hunt for clues.”  Mary Sue met Burt and True Blue in the park during her search for Puff, and the duo proved to be incredibly valuable.  True Blue used his sense of smell to sniff out clues about Puff’s whereabouts as Mary Sue and Burt identified each object and pieced together all the clues to find Puff.A Hunt for Clues can be used at the kindergarten level to aid in the student’s processing skills.  The student will have to follow the clues uncovered by True Blue, identify the objects, and attempt to understand why the found objects are important  to locating Puff’s whereabouts.

Curriculum Connections
A Hunt for Clues is connected to the K.1 Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic Standard of Learning that requires students to conduct investigations in which basic properties of objects are identified by direct observation.

Additional Resources

Book: A Hunt for Clues
Author: Anne Miranda
Illustrator: Michele Noiset
Publisher: Modern Curriculum Press
Publication Date: 1996
Pages: 16
Grade Range: Pre-Kindergarten-Kindergarten
ISBN: 0-8136-2148-8