Why I Picked It Up: One super popular session that Sherry and I present is Historical Fusions: Integrating ELA/R, Social Studies, and Technology. I picked up this book to help first and fourth grade teachers teach their students about Sam Houston. Why I Finished It: Truthfully, I learned a lot about Sam Houston’s early life […]
reading strategies
Book Review: Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story, by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Why I Picked It Up: I had been searching for upper elementary novels with some “meat”, something that would spark curiosity and make students think more globally. I can’t tell you how many books made my Amazon cart that day (because then I’d have to admit I have a problem), but this one stood out as […]
Book Review: Ask Me, by Bernard Waber
Why I Picked It Up: At first, it was the beautiful water colors and the father and daughter on the front. When I read the title and the author, it sounded familiar. After a quick search I was reminded of who Bernard Waber is: the author of the Lyle the Crocodile books and Ira Sleeps Over. […]
Book Review: Thunder Boy Jr., by Sherman Alexie
Why I Picked It Up: Sherman Alexie. He has me captivated. The first novel I read by him was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian which was a raw look into some of Alexie’s experiences growing up. After a while, I read his essay, Superman and Me. I am not even sure if […]
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 […]
Book Review: Let’s Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile
Why I Picked It Up: In scanning the book store I found this gem hidden on a shelf in between many other picture books. When I pulled it out and saw the cover, I smiled. The two boys on the cover reminded me immediately of my older two sons! No doubt they will kill me […]