Author Archives: openwidearchive

Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: Never Smile at a Monkey

Posted on January 29, 2010 by openwidearchive

Summary and Introduction Never Smile at a Monkey was written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins.   This book discusses animal adaptation and some of the defense mechanisms animals possess to protect themselves from predators and humans.  It focuses on 17 different … Continue reading →

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Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: Tell Me, Tree

Posted on January 29, 2010 by openwidearchive

Tell Me, Tree, written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons, presents a close-up look for children at many important characteristics, purposes, and behavioral traits of trees.  Gibbons exposes readers to an abundance of different types of individual trees, as well as … Continue reading →

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Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: Dolphin

Posted on January 29, 2010 by openwidearchive

Dolphin by Robert A. Morris, illustrated by Mamoru Funai, is an informative nonfiction book that takes the reader on a journey through the life cycle of a dolphin.  It starts off by introducing the reader to a female dolphin, a … Continue reading →

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: Arthur Meets the President

Posted on January 29, 2010 by openwidearchive

Arthur, one of children’s most beloved characters, is back in this delightful story Arthur Meets the President by Marc Brown. Filled with humorous misadventures, this story is perfect for introducing civics and public speaking into an elementary school classroom. Students … Continue reading →

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Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: Waiting for Wings

Posted on January 29, 2010 by openwidearchive

 Introduction and Summary Waiting for Wings, written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert, is a wonderful book for young learners that explains the life cycle of a butterfly.  With beautiful illustrations and simple explanations, Waiting for Wings is a great teacher’s … Continue reading →

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution

Posted on January 28, 2010 by openwidearchive

Shh!  We’re Writing the Constitution, by Jean Fritz and illustrated by Tomie dePaola,  provides an engaging summary of the events during the summer of 1787 through the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788.  Fritz masterfully explains that, “[a]fter … Continue reading →

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: Abraham Lincoln for Kids

Posted on January 28, 2010 by openwidearchive

Summary and Overview Who would have ever guessed that a homely looking, depressed and underestimated man who was self-educated and was born into major poverty would soon become the greatest President of all time? In Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His … Continue reading →

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Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: Too Many Tamales

Posted on January 27, 2010 by openwidearchive

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto and illustrated by Ed Martinez is a story about a little girl named Maria, who is helping her mother and father cook tamales for their Christmas party.  It begins with Maria and the mother kneading … Continue reading →

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Teaching Life Science with Children’s Literature: In the Trees, Honey Bees

Posted on January 26, 2010 by openwidearchive

   In the Trees, Honey Bees written by Lori Mortensen and illustrated by Cris Arbo is an amazingly illustrated story about the jobs of honey bees and their interaction with the surrounding environment.  In the Trees, Honey Bees offers explanations … Continue reading →

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Teaching Geography with Children’s Literature: Maps and Mapping

Posted on January 26, 2010 by openwidearchive

"I can’t imagine life without maps. How would we find our way around the world?” Introduction and Summary Maps and Mapping, by Jinny Johnson, is an inside look at how we make and use different kinds of maps.  The book … Continue reading →

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