Why I Picked It Up: It’s one of those picture books that kept coming up on blogs and in stores, but I never picked it up. Mostly because it’s a math book and my concentration has always been ELA/R and Social Studies. I finally saw it at the local library and had to check it […]
Making Connections
Book Review: We Forgot Brock! by Carter Goodrich
Why I Picked It Up: Recently I attended a Judy Freeman Workshop about books and she had mentioned this book. I was slightly concerned that I had never even heard of it before, let alone read it. Immediately it was in my Amazon basket and the rest is history. Why I Finished It: She had […]
Poetry Palooza 1: 5 Science and Nature Poetry Picture Books
People tend to feel very strongly about poetry, but whether you love it or loathe it, there is no denying that poetry is a powerful genre. Poetry can give voice to feelings that we otherwise might not be able to express. Poets from all cultures and walks of life provide a window into their souls and we […]
Book Review: This or That History Debate: A Rip-Roaring Game of Either/Or Questions, by Michael O’Hearn
Why I Picked It Up: We are always looking for engaging books for the elementary classroom, so when this came across one of my many searches. It reminded me of How They Croaked, by Georgia Bragg (one of my faves!), and so I quickly ordered it. Why I Finished It: It’s really addicting. The book arrived […]
Thematic Unit: Picture Books about Perseverance
Theme: In order to teach a thematic unit, students must first understand the theme being studied. Define perseverance for the students. I chose to explain it as continuing to do something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. I illustrated the definition for students by explaining how my youngest son has persevered through guitar lessons. […]
Book Review: Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices
Why I Picked It Up: In searching for strong social studies text for our Beyond the Textbook Session, I found this advanced reader’s copy in Sherry’s personal collection. It was definitely a “Jessica book,” so she happily gave me her copy. Why I Finished It: Curiosity! From the beginning I was intrigued by the stories the […]
