My Name is not …

Do you remember daydreaming of being a famous movie star? When I was little, I wanted to be like Shirley Temple. She was the cutest kid, could dance and charm anyone. She said the cutest things and was adorable. As I grew older, my heroine was Jaclyn Smith. Her hair flowed beautifully, she had beautiful skin, and had adventure with style. Oh, if only I could be like her, I would sigh.

Girls love to dress up, pretending to be someone grander than they are. Each dreams of being in the lime light and full of adventure. Jennifer Fosberry captures the little girl dreamer in her book, My Name is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream.

View the one minute book trailer.

Isabella is a young girl full of hopes and dreams. As she goes through her daily routine, Isabella pretends to be a famous, historical woman. The book encourages children to believe they can achieve any career activity they want.

“I am Helen, the greatest, kindest librarian of all.”

Watch the below one minute YouTube video of how illustrator, Mike Litwin, transforms a one page sketch into a colorful scene.

This book will spark ideas for every young student who has dreamed of being someone. It will create conversation around making goals and believing in themselves.

A companion book for boys is called My Name is Not Alexander.

Savorings for reading and in writing for My Name is Not Isabella:

• Imagination
• Dreams/ goals
• Repeating Structure
• Superlatives – toughest, fastest, bravest, smartest,
• Bookend – begins day, ends day

SOLC: Laughing

For the past half hour, our three children have been sharing teenage sayings, tagging on to stories, and laughing. LAUGHING! I thought, I wish I could record the three-some laughter and post it. The noise, somewhat annoying yet definitely inviting, snagged my attention and kept me from being productive in my reading. My husband walked through their hysterics, shaking his head. His eyes said, “Can you believe this?”

It’s not that our kids don’t laugh; many times they are making cynical remarks or listening to their music or doing homework. Sharing stories and laughing for over a half an hour – it’s just a rarity. I wanted to stop time … and video it all. We’d probably win $10,000 on America’s Funniest Videos. The viewers would begin to laugh even if they couldn’t understand the words. The cheerful pitches spurred a million endorphins through our three teenagers’ brains.

I’ve noticed this positive change the past few weeks, ever since our trip to Florida. The sunshine did cheer our spirits, but our two youngest got a taste of not having their senior brother around for four days. They had been remarking, almost reveling in the fact that Wes will be out of the house in the fall. “My own room,” our youngest declares. “No more bossing,” our daughter states. Yet deep down, past the annoying remarks and sibling nuisance, our three teens like each other.

So I grab this slice, this moment in time, and … smile.

I laugh and hold and savor the moment.

Laughter… vibrate through our beings, warm our hearts, and connect our spirits. We…are…family! <3

Getting Your License

I couldn’t wait to get my license. Neither could my son. He was thrilled when the day came for him to go to the license branch: take the test, park and change lanes correctly, get his picture. License in hand, his grin told the world, I’m 16. I’m grown-up. I can drive.

Our son began “driving” when he was very young. He drove his Matchbox cars around, his Tonka trucks, and his red wagon. He was a driver. Driving is instinctive for boys. They make broom, broom noises and putter around. You can only smile when you see a little one maneuvering around.

Hallie Durand grabbed this playfulness and created an adorable, fun book in Mitchell’s License. On the book jacket, she explains the origin of the game from an invented game her husband created for their children’s bedtime routine.

At age 3, Mitchell officially drives himself to bed on his remote control car (his dad). Sitting on his dad’s shoulders, Mitchell checks the engine and steers carefully, going from one place to another, ultimately finding his bed.

The story emulates the bong between father and son. I find the book to creative, taking an every-day moment and composing a story. Our kids can remember fun activities they imagined doing. This story triggered a memory of my oldest when he was 3 years old pulling his wagon. I was the gas station. Your kids could remember too. Read and wait for the stories to arise.

Savorings for reading and in writing for Mitchell’s License:

• Small Moment – bedtime routine
• Make Believe – a dad transforms into a car
• Kinder and first grade – illustrations your children will imitate
• Magic of 3
• Specific language about a vehicle – coasted, honk, blinkers

Warsaw Community Public Library (new book – 2011; Candlewick Press)

SOLC: First Grade Inspiration

Yesterday, I spent time in a first grade writing class. They were discussing revision strategies. Yes, at first grade. Revision is delightful, although it’s not always as elaborate as we might be thinking.

One student I conferred with was writing about football. He had written, “One afternoon, I played football.” I asked him what his purpose was for writing this piece. Jay said, “It was a great game. We won.” He had definite purpose.

We talked about how the action in the story could help share his purpose along with the illustration he had. I left and Jay busied himself with writing. When I checked back with him, he had written, “We played in the field. We won a trophy.” I then noticed a star between the last two sentences. I asked about the star. “I forgot to add in that he (pointing to his picture) threw the ball to me and I caught it.”

A large smile spread across his face. He was inspired and thrilled with his work. I was thrilled that my conferring had inspired him.

Amazing Austrailian Animals

Marianne Berkes sculpts a rhythmic text in Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under. The text’s foundational structure is based upon the song, Over in the Meadow. Students will interact with the text, building fluency.

The Australian animal kingdom is the theme of this hybrid text. Each page features a mother and her babies, teaching specific vocabulary and verbs. Jill Dubin’s illustrations are adorable collages within the natural setting. She mingles texture into her illustrations, creating a 3D effect.

To connect your students to live animals, view the YouTube video of Steve Irwin at the Autralia Zoo Tour. (3 min. and 21 sec.)

Savorings for reading and in writing for Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under:

• Math connections – counting 1 to 10
• Musical rhythm
• Repeating Structure
• Class book – interactive writing about your class, stats, subject matter
• Verbs – past tense with suffix -ed
• Surprise ending

Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero

I read this book in the morning and then was interrupted. Several hours later, I am still wondering – so is this book about a superhero and his secret life or a young boy with an avid imagination? Anne Cottringer’s story, Eliot Jones Midnight Superhero, will promote a lively discussion with your students. I guarantee your reluctant readers will be wanting this book for their personal library.

Eliot is a quiet boy. He enjoys reading and playing quietly in his room. But when the clock strikes midnight, eliot morphs into a super hero. He saves the world. Adventure awaits him as he saves the world. One major crisis arises and Eliot is on the scene.

I love the ending.

“But being a Midnight Superhero is very tiring. it doesn’t leave Eliot with much energy. So by day … Eliot is quiet.”

Savorings for reading and in writing for Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero:

• Character Description
• Bookend
• Magic of 3
• Adjectives
• Transitions between scenes
• Repeating Structure

A Holocaust Heroine

The Holocaust. Sorrow grips my heart when I think of the injustice placed upon the Jewish people. Freedom is priceless… for everyone.

Irena Sendler is one account of a brave heroine during the Holocaust. Her story had remained silent until 1989. During the Warsaw Ghetto, Irene helped smuggle 2500 Jewish children to safety. She secretly hide the children’s identity on a list she buried in a jar.  When captured by the Nazis, Irene was sentenced to death. By a bribe from someone outside, Irene was miraculously able to escape. After the war, Irena began to reunite children and surviving parents. Read her story in the book, Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto, by Susan Goldman Rubin.

Sharing Irene’s story and others of the Holocaust, we have an opportunity to teach our children respect for others, to stand against bullies, and preserve life.

To hear Irena speak about her encounter with the Ghetto, introduce your children to the video clip of her (3 min.) I suggest viewing the pictures prior to showing it to your children. Young children may not fulling understand.

How her story was shared.

Savorings for reading and in writing for Irena  Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto:

• Biography with tension
• Quotes
• Snapshot
• Important details – summarizing
• Community building

PES new book

SOLC: Sunshine

 

I love sunshine.

Sunshine brightens my day.

Sunshine brings hope and joy to a cold day, to any day.

We enjoyed the Florida sunshine for the first time over break.

I returned home with sunshine in my heart.

With snow in the forecast and freezing temperatures, my heart will be sunshine for others.

Rays of smiles will greet my students.

Splashes of laughter will fill surprising moments.

Warmth of assurance will envelope struggles.

Sunshine will prevail.

Fortunately, Unfortunately

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the day you have planned out and obstacles happen along the way. Welcome to this post. Literally. I have typed this post twice only to have the page come up blank. Frustrating. Fortunately, I write out my reviews and am able to revise my thoughts.

Michael Foreman must have had a day like this. He created an adventurous, fun book in Fortunately, Unfortunately. Your students will have fun following the adventure, especially the boys.

The day begin ordinarily for Milos, the monkey. He’s returning the umbrella to his grandmother. Along the way, several detours create problems for him.

Michael Foreman teaches children to see a positive in each negative happening. The cause and effect text shares a domino of events, creating anticipation from the reader.

Savorings for reading and in writing for Fortunately, Unfortunately:

• Perspective
• Cause and effect
• Sequence of events
• Fantasy sprinkled in to an ordinary event – teaches children how to fabricate the everyday events of their lives
• Prediction – what’s new?

Warsaw Community Public Library – new (c2011)

Animals in Winter

Tanja Askani provides a home for injured animals. I blogged about her book, A Friend Like You.  Her brilliant photographs are breath-taking. As I researched Tanja, I came across some brilliant videos of animals in winter.

To introduce animals in the elements and bring the wild to your classroom, view Tanja’s YouTube video.

After visiting Florida over Christmas break, we were met with beautiful snow. Although the snow is beautiful, I much prefer warm sunshine. I was reminded of the book, Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Samms II and Jean Stoick. With a smile, enjoy the winter season.