I am not as familiar with this genre for children.
For early elementary students, The Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne are wonderful historical fiction books. Her topics range from the middle ages to the Titanic.
For upper elementary, a fifth grade class recommended Inkspell and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and Crispin by Avi to me. I think the recommendation of a target audience is golden!
The fifth graders I was working with had a hard time finding interesting books at the library, I asked each student to submit one or two recommendations along with a one sentence description of the book. I compiled all the recommendations into one classroom list. The kids love it! I'm not sure if any recommendations were sought, but I think if someone is truly stuck as to what to read the next time they are at the library, they have 26 fifth grader approved books to chose from.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Picture Books
I don't think a teacher can go wrong with picture books. I think pictures enhance all aspects of comprehension and enjoyment and children of all ages should be exposed to them. I feel that the artistry of picture books really adds to the message.
For early elementary, I would seek two types of picture books. I would select simple pictures that are text related for the emergent reader. The emergent reader could view the picture for cues to the text. Nice examples of these types of books include some simplier Berstein Bears Books (e.g. The B Book), Phonic Series books that can be found at any book store or book club, Go, Dog, Go; Hop on Pop, and No, David by David Shannon are all enjoyable.
However, in addition to the emergent reader type books, I would expose the early elementary student to more complex stories and art work as a read aloud. The Napping House is a very cute book that teaches consequences, Amelia Bedelia books are silly and can only be comprehended with the picture (in my opinion), Jan Brett's books have wonderful artwork that kids seem to be drawn to, I also love the artistry of David Shannon's books, Jamie Lee Curtis' books. Children love a good story, an underlying message only enhances the experience.
For upper elementary, I think the read aloud type books for the early elementary is appropriate for the upper elementary student to read on their own. If exposed to them at an early age, they will especially enjoy the familiarity as they read them on their own. In addition, I think the upper elementary student will appreciate books of great artistry, not just literary, but visually as well. Finally, the upper elementary student would benefit from picture books relating to a historical time or event. The picture could help the student with comprehension.
While early elementary students use picture books for fluency and advancing their reading skills, the upper elementary student can use picture books for comprehension and deeper understanding. Either way, all people (not just children) seem to enjoy a visually appealing book.
For early elementary, I would seek two types of picture books. I would select simple pictures that are text related for the emergent reader. The emergent reader could view the picture for cues to the text. Nice examples of these types of books include some simplier Berstein Bears Books (e.g. The B Book), Phonic Series books that can be found at any book store or book club, Go, Dog, Go; Hop on Pop, and No, David by David Shannon are all enjoyable.
However, in addition to the emergent reader type books, I would expose the early elementary student to more complex stories and art work as a read aloud. The Napping House is a very cute book that teaches consequences, Amelia Bedelia books are silly and can only be comprehended with the picture (in my opinion), Jan Brett's books have wonderful artwork that kids seem to be drawn to, I also love the artistry of David Shannon's books, Jamie Lee Curtis' books. Children love a good story, an underlying message only enhances the experience.
For upper elementary, I think the read aloud type books for the early elementary is appropriate for the upper elementary student to read on their own. If exposed to them at an early age, they will especially enjoy the familiarity as they read them on their own. In addition, I think the upper elementary student will appreciate books of great artistry, not just literary, but visually as well. Finally, the upper elementary student would benefit from picture books relating to a historical time or event. The picture could help the student with comprehension.
While early elementary students use picture books for fluency and advancing their reading skills, the upper elementary student can use picture books for comprehension and deeper understanding. Either way, all people (not just children) seem to enjoy a visually appealing book.
Biography
Biographies are one of my favorite genres.
For early elementary, I would recommend young biography versions of:
(1)Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I think children in Minnesota really relate to the historical value of the triumphs and struggles of life on the praire. In addition, the book centers around a young family that young children can relate to.
(2) Many historic biographies, my Scholastic Book Order has two packs of books on historical figures including: Young Amelia Earhart, young Helen Keller, Young Rosa Parks, Young Pocahontas, Paul Revere, Lewis & Clark, Davy Crockett, The Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Frankiln, Sitting Bull & Sojourner Truth.
Form upper elementary, I would recommend
(1) the original series of Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
(2) Wilson Rawls books: Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys. I was lucky enough to meet Wilson Rawls when i was in 5th grade. He told our school that the books were reflections on his childhood. In addition, an interesting side note, he could not write. His wife wrote down his dictation. He is a wonderful story teller.
(3) Harriet Tubman; Conductor of the Underground Railroad by Kate McMullan is geared towards the older elementary aged student. The story does a wonderful job of telling Harriet's role in the underground railroad which is very topical in the 5th graders social studies lessons.
(4) My Life by Helen Keller is an excellent book. In my opinion, if you want to hook your student onto biographies, this is the book to do it. Helen Keller lead an amazing life, her story, told in her words, is amazing. I think so many times the average person does not want to pry into the life of someone with a disability. Helen Keller invites the student into her world and recreates the struggles and perspective of her life with her challenges. This is especially poigntant for the child who is emerging into the empathetic stages of development.
For early elementary, I would recommend young biography versions of:
(1)Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I think children in Minnesota really relate to the historical value of the triumphs and struggles of life on the praire. In addition, the book centers around a young family that young children can relate to.
(2) Many historic biographies, my Scholastic Book Order has two packs of books on historical figures including: Young Amelia Earhart, young Helen Keller, Young Rosa Parks, Young Pocahontas, Paul Revere, Lewis & Clark, Davy Crockett, The Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Frankiln, Sitting Bull & Sojourner Truth.
Form upper elementary, I would recommend
(1) the original series of Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
(2) Wilson Rawls books: Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys. I was lucky enough to meet Wilson Rawls when i was in 5th grade. He told our school that the books were reflections on his childhood. In addition, an interesting side note, he could not write. His wife wrote down his dictation. He is a wonderful story teller.
(3) Harriet Tubman; Conductor of the Underground Railroad by Kate McMullan is geared towards the older elementary aged student. The story does a wonderful job of telling Harriet's role in the underground railroad which is very topical in the 5th graders social studies lessons.
(4) My Life by Helen Keller is an excellent book. In my opinion, if you want to hook your student onto biographies, this is the book to do it. Helen Keller lead an amazing life, her story, told in her words, is amazing. I think so many times the average person does not want to pry into the life of someone with a disability. Helen Keller invites the student into her world and recreates the struggles and perspective of her life with her challenges. This is especially poigntant for the child who is emerging into the empathetic stages of development.
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