Nature ...............I should be studying ...........

Ok, I should be studying or doing some of the reading that is due ............. but I happened to look out at the bird feeder and saw a flicker, which we rarely see. Click on the word flicker to read about and hear its call.

So I had to share this book - Bird Songs 250 North American Brids in Song.  It is a great book with the sounds and calls of each bird.
Kids love it!  The cats hate it! We keep it near our large window that looks out onto the feeders, along with binoculars and the camera.  Anyway, I had to share my picture and book.  Enjoy!

"Kreativ Blogger Award"

Here's a different post.  Recently a dear friend bestowed upon me a "Kreativ Blogger Award".  While this blog is not necessarily creative, I hope it does have some interesting, helpful and unique info to share.  Anyway the requirements for accepting the "award" included of course thanking the dear friend.  So ........THANK YOU!, not only for the award, but for providing the inspiration!  Also, I must share her blog with you, so when you have time.............check out ..............T.J. at
http://any-given-moment.blogspot.com/

The "requirements" state  that I share some little known facts about me with you.  While I am a very private person, hopefully these little known tidbits will give you some insight into the posts on this blog, so here goes .......................

1. Being the oldest of 4 girls, I have always been a teacher...............for inspiration, check out the book My Great Aunt Arizona by Gloria Huston.

2. I am NOT a cat person, although there are 2 in my household, Siena (named for a wonderful Italian town and her brown fur) and Inky (named for her very black color).  Siena came to live with us courtsey of a precocious niece, while Inky followed my significant other (more about him later) home from school one day. Check out Six Dinner Sid and see where he goes .....................

3. Well making a move from the role as a classroom teacher, to that as an administrator was challenging and difficult for me.  I left my beautiful first graders for a school of adolescents.  Over time, I have come to love the role and the part I play, as those children become young adults.  If there is a special principal at your child's school, check out The Principal From the Black Lagoon, very funny!

4. The rules for accpting the "Kreativ Blogger Award" state that you must post 7 tidbits of info, but I will stop with this final one for now and keep my readers wondering .................one more piece of info ................when I got married over 20 years ago, I took the bold step of keeping my own (some call it "maiden") name.  After all, it had been my name for many years.  It was an independent thing to do for a woman.  Here is another independent worman to share with you ..............

Riptide by Frances Ward Weller

Here's a great book for reading aloud. It gives the listener suspense, character development and empathy experiences. The illustrations are wonderful and provide lots of visualization. Heroism and determination are some of the many identifiable themes. A love for dogs, the beach and a wonderfully inspiring story, make this book a great gift as well.

An Angel for Solomon Singer by Cynthia Rylant

Many images evoke the various senses as one begins to get to know Solomon Singer, a middle aged man wandering the streets of New York City. Unhappy, lonely and wishing for another kind of life, he wanders into a cafe where the waiter changes his outlook. This book encourages deep discussion about perspective, life choices and inferencing.

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

A must for anyone interested in relationships and history. This is one of many wonderful picture books by Patricia Polacco. She is a master at weaving a story. Her characters are deep, powerful and memorable. Here is a simple activity to encourage conversation about the characters, Pink and Say. The ideas of social justice, respect, friendship, and acceptance permeate the story. Again, reading this book aloud in an interactive way, permits children of all reading levels to experience her gift of writing and story telling.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Set in the 12th century, a young boy in a Korean village dreams of becoming a potter. Challenges and complications confront him at every turn. Courage, determination and loyalty test him in his journeys. Although we do not know much about this time or place, the gift that the author gives us, is placing us there to visualize and imagine. A different and intriguing tale.

Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox

A must read aloud for all young children. Mem Fox has told a fun, wonderful story about the mischief of a young child and a parent's reaction. The illustrations are great and the repetitive nature of text provides a beginning for reading development. Her stories are numerous and again have wonderful messages. Wilfred Gordon MacDonald Partridge is another story guaranteed to inspire conversation. If you are following the Olympics, check out Koala Lou.
Ms Fox shares Read Aloud tips as well. These are great stories to collect, read and reread.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Could not resist another "winter" story for those in the snowy climes!  This book is a classic and a must in every child's library.  Ezra Jack Keats tells the story of Peter, experiencing a snowy day and the magic it brings. Written in 1962, it is one of the first books to "break the color barrier" in children's literature.  With intriguing illustrations and memorable characters, it is a Caldecott Award winner. Activities for kids can also be found at the foundation website. Another of Keats's stories, Peter's Chair, is a great story for young children experiencing the addition of a sibling to the family. 
Check out this favorite and others by this wonderful American children's book author.

Snowy Treasure by Jan Brett

JANUARY 14, 2010  Posting date .............
Well, the newest book by a favorite - Jan Brett. If you have a little one that loves animals and funny stories, this one is for you (and them!). This story, set in winter time, combines many of her famous characters, previously seen in other books. The Gingerbread Baby, Hedgie and other furry friends appear in this "snowy" tale. This provides a great opportunity to compare characters in books, work through an author's study or simply enjoy a great bedtime story. Look for more posts of Jan Brett books. Check out her website for lots of activities.

Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

A chapter book that is a great way to introduce adolescent children to historical fiction. As a read aloud, it will permit students of all reading levels to access the story content. This book provides an opportunity to integrate a variety of subject areas. Think about a webquest as a way to develop a child's background knowledge or schema of the subject prior to reading. (Since prior knowledge is essential for the comprehension of new information, teachers either need to help students build the prerequisite knowledge, or remind them of what they already know before introducing new material)

Riding the Tiger by Eve Bunting

Another example of a "picture book" that is definately NOT for young children. The power of this story is in the discussion with older children. This story set in the streets of a city evokes conversation about respect, power and interpretation. This wonderfully illustrated book, done through woodcuts, provides the format for discussion, appropriate for older children (and even adults) focused on confomity, peer pressure and temptation. Talk about theme and symbolism, as well as empathy with the main character, Danny. Check out other books by Eve Bunting.

If You Give a Mouse ................ by Laura Numeroff

Well, here are some fun titles to share in an interactive read.think aloud or just as a bed-time story. Little kids call these stories "circle" stories. I don't know if that is a technical or educational term, but I love it! These are great stories to act out in a reader's theater format or retell in order of events. These are great stories to collect and give as gifts to new parents. Check out the author's website as well.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

Couldn't resist another book to encouage "talk" about social issues. Again, using it as a read aloud permits all children to engage in the text no matter what their reading level. This book will encouage critical conversations focused around conflict, theme and character development. You might want to try the interactive graphic organizers. Connections to other texts such as The Story of Ruby Bridges, by Robert Coles and Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges would be great additions to any child's library collection of books. Information on Ruby Bridges can be located by clicking on her name link.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

A wonderfully heart wrenching story about loyalty, reflection, family and wonders. A must for animal lovers. While not a picture book, it would be a great read aloud for children 12 years old and up. Written from the point of view of the dog, this story provides an opportunity to look at the world in a different way. Use the following website of the author to assist with focussing discussion and reflection http://www.garthstein.com/arr/. There is also a wonderful video to share on the author's website from National Geographic,

The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter

A wonderful story to use with older learners (and adults!). Some schema needs to be developed regarding war and its effects on a community. Discussion points about strength of character throughout a story, as well as resilence, persistance and working together for a cause. A great book to use during March Women's History Month. Yet, another example of a "picture book" that is most appropriate as an interactive read aloud (see article) with older learners. Try a character study graphic organizer to facilitate a writing experience.

Think about a service project attached to this idea of library and books!

Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna

A wonderful story to talk about character. Themes such as the power of rumor, honesty, believing in one's self, making conclusions and decisions before one has all the facts, etc. will focus our discussions. Use as an interactive read aloud (see article) with children from 7 years old and up. Note taking might include a character study or plot summary. A great book to reference from time to time when situations arise to make connections.