Why I Picked It Up: This book had two different things to recommend it to me. We tend to read either YA novels or picture books, and so we’ve been looking for younger elementary chapter books. We are also getting ready for the upcoming Texas Council for the Social Studies Conference at the end of the month, […]
Social Studies
App Review: News-O-Matic
As teachers we are all too familiar with the emphasis placed on nonfiction text. We know, and want, to expose children to high quality nonfiction text on a daily basis. In an effort to help, I have been compiling a list of sites that offer text for students at no cost. Yesterday, I came across an […]
Book Review: The Day the Crayons Came Home, by Drew Daywalt
Why I Picked It Up: I honestly held off as long as possible. As soon as I found out that Drew Daywalt made another Crayon book I knew I had to have it! Why I Finished It: I didn’t just finish it, I read it a few times and studied the drawings by Oliver Jeffers. […]
Book Review: The Genius Files by Dan Gutman
** Contact us if you would like to have one of our engaging mentor text sessions come to your campus! ** Why I Picked It Up: Two reasons. First, the author is a favorite of mine and my son, he makes both of us giggle as we read. Second, the twins in the book are named […]
Book Review: Capture the Flag, by Kate Messner
Why I Picked It Up: This book was one of Jessica’s picks on our Summer Reading List. The historical connections with the flag that inspired our national anthem appealed to my love of historical fiction, and the mystery-loving part of me was intrigued by the maze created out of the flag on the cover. Finding […]
Book Review: Hippos Are Huge, by Jonathan London
Why I Picked It Up: Is it weird to have a fascination with hippos? I can’t say that I think they’re cute or that they’re my favorite animal, but they’re so peculiar – dare I say boring? Therefore, I am fascinated by people who would go out of their way to write a book about […]