Books for Elementary Science - Physical Science

Last week my preservice teachers posted their reviews of books for teaching process skills in science. This week they focused on physical science. This time around you'll find a wealth of nonfiction titles. Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside this week to see what they're sharing.

Books for Elementary Social Studies - Geography

Did I mention I'm team teaching this semester? I am still teaching two sections of Integrated Curriculum Methods (pedagogical approaches to teaching science and social studies in the elementary classroom), though this time around I am thrilled to be working with a social studies consultant from a local school division. That means I get to teach all the science and she teaches all the social studies. While I do miss (just a little bit) the responsibility for the whole shootin' match, I get to focus on what I do best--math (my other class) and science.

So, one class has jumped into science while the other has begun with social studies. This means that new books suggestions coming out each week will be for two different areas of the curriculum!

This week the social studies folks have posted their reviews of books for teaching geography in the elementary classroom. They have selected some really wonderful books that span the globe, so head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside to see what they're sharing this week.

Books for Elementary Science - Process Skills

The semester is well underway (we're in week 3!) and my preservice teachers have already begun reading books and writing blog posts. Last week they tackled process skills. You'll find book suggestions, curriculum connections, and links to additional resources for topics like the senses, measurement, the nature of science, and more. I'm thrilled that they've included biographies of scientists as well. There are some surprising and creative choices here, including Amelia Bedelia and Science Fair Bunnies!

Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside to see what they're sharing.

Books for Elementary Social Studies - History

This is the last week my preservice teachers will be posting social studies book reviews at Open Wide, Look Inside. This time around they focused on US and Virginia history. You'll find books about Lewis and Clark, Jamestown, the Civil War, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, some independent dames, and more.

If you want to check out titles and topics you may have missed, follow these links.

• geography
• economics
• civics
  

This is our last set of reviews for the semester, so please stop by and check out this last installment. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Books for Elementary Social Studies - Civics

If you haven't been to Open Wide, Look Inside lately, you're really missing something. In the last few weeks my students have been highlighting books for use in teaching a variety of social studies topics. This week they're focused on civics. You'll find books on patriotism, symbols of America, government, democracy, as well as biographies of figures who have made a difference in the life of our growing nation.

If you want to check out book suggestions for other topics you may have missed, follow these links.

• geography
• economics

Each entry includes a brief summary of the book, curriculum connections, links for some supporting resources, and general information about the book. If you are looking for some ideas for homeschooling or classroom social studies, do take a look. You won't be disappointed.

Books for Elementary Social Studies - Geography

Last week my preservice teachers posted their reviews of books for teaching economics in the elementary classroom. This week they've focused on geography. I'm amazed at the number of wonderful selections they have, including nonfiction, poetry, and some very creative picture book suggestions. Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside this week to see what they're sharing.

Books for Elementary Social Studies - Economics

Last week my students returned to the task of reading and reviewing books for the elementary classroom, this time with an eye for the social studies. This first time around they tackled economics. You'll find books on trade, barter, wants and needs, money and more. Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside and see what they're sharing.

Books for Elementary Science - Earth Science

This is the last week my preservice teachers will be posting science book reviews at Open Wide, Look Inside. This time around they're covering earth science. You'll find books on weather, oceans, shadows, recycling, the moon, and more. Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside and see what they're sharing.

If you want to check out some of the titles and topics you may have missed, follow these links.

• process skills
• physical science
• life science

Enjoy these ideas for integrating science and children's literature. They will be back in a few weeks with books for use in social studies.

Books for Elementary Science - Life Science

I lost my head last week and forgot to post the latest round of books reviews from my students. This time around you'll find classics like The Carrot Seed and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a number of nonfiction titles, a bit of poetry, and much more. Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside and see what they're sharing.

For Lovers of Books and Music

For a while now I've been hooked on the Book Notes series at Largehearted Boy. In it, authors create and describe a playlist of songs that in some way relates to a recently published work. Recent entries include:

• David Small's list for Stitches
• Frank Portman's list for Andromeda Klein
• Lev Grossman's list for The Magician's

There are lots of great lists here for a huge range of books. If you love music as much as you like to read, don't miss this series.

Books for Elementary Science - Physical Science

Last week my preservice teachers posted their reviews of books for teaching process skills in science. This week they're focused on physical science. This time around you'll find a wealth of nonfiction and a few very creative picture book suggestions. Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside this week to see what they're sharing.

Thoughtful Piece on Authors of Color

At her blog Fledgling, Zetta Elliott recently wrote a post entitled Something like an open letter to the children's publishing industry. In addition to being a mighty strong argument for the recognition of works by authors of color, she includes links to some astounding and disheartening statistics.

Zetta's ideas have been batted around and intensely discussed on child_lit for the last few days. It's worthy of our attention, so do take some time to read it.

Books and Blogging Authors

I've written before about why I love the Kidlitosphere. But lately I find great joy in seeing and celebrating the books of blogging authors, particularly when they've just hit the shelves. I feel as if I've been in on a great secret, having heard about the work that went into it, the anticipation, over its release, and sheer joy on the date of publication.

Yesterday while browsing at my local Barnes and Noble I was thrilled to come across these titles. (Thank heavens for phones with cameras in them!)
First up is Operation YES, by Sara Lewis Holmes. I found it on a special display of new fiction. If you don't know about this one, check out the fabulous launch post at Jama Rattigan's alphabet soup.
The second title is The Runaway Dragon by Kate Coombs. Kate blogs at Book Aunt and is a regular participant in the poetry stretches here. This one was shelved in a display of new fiction for young readers.

Not only did I get a thrill from seeing them on the shelves, but I purchased both (along with a few others titles) for a thank you package I'm putting together for the children of the hosts of our recent family reunion. Books DO make the best gifts.

What new titles have you been excited to see lately?

Books for Elementary Science - Process Skills

The semester has begun and my preservice teachers have already begun reading books and writing blog posts. This week they're tackling process skills. You'll find book suggestions, curriculum connections, and links to additional resources for topics like the senses, measurement, the nature of science, and more. I'm thrilled that they've included biographies of scientists as well.

Last fall I had 13 students. This fall I have 33! While that means more grading for me, it means LOTS more books and great ideas for YOU! Head on over to Open Wide, Look Inside this week to see what they're sharing.

Nonfiction Reading Power

Adrienne Gear's book Nonfiction Reading Power: Teaching Students How to Think While They Read all Kinds of Information has been on my desk and dog-eared for a while now. Not only does it contain terrific teaching strategies, but also some thematic lists of titles. The components of nonfiction reading power: (1) zooming-in; (2) questioning/inferring; (3) determining importance; (4) connecting: and (5) transforming, are all summarized in chapter two. Each component is then described in more detail in its own chapter. If you would like to preview it or read the entire book online, you can do that here.

Here is the publisher's description.

How can you help students find meaning in informational texts and become independent strategic readers and thinkers? Nonfiction Reading Power gives teachers a wealth of effective strategies for helping students think while they read material in all subject areas. Using the best children's books to motivate students, Adrienne Gear shows teachers how help students zoom-in, question and infer; find the main idea, make connections, and transform what's on the printed page. Key introductory concept lessons for each of the five reading powers provide valuable insight into the purpose of each strategy. The book also explores the particular features of nonfiction and offers lists of key books organized around strategies and subject areas.

Whether you teach kids at home or work with them in a traditional classroom setting, this book contains some fine suggestions for helping develop reading to learn skills.

Books as Art - Breathing Books

Edith Kollath exhibited a breathing book show (yes, you read that correctly) at the Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn from mid-November to mid-December.

Here is a short video of the show.
  Things - Edith Kollath Creates Books that Breathe from Bre Pettis on Vimeo.

For some reason I couldn't help but think about Harry Potter and The Monster Book of Monsters while watching the video. At least these books don't bite! Technology in the hands of an artist is an amazing thing, isn't it?

When Buying a Book Means Making a Difference

Way back in November, the amazing Sara Lewis Holmes floated a proposal to put books in the hands of some very deserving kids. Inspired by her niece Emily, an amazing young woman in her own right who's been battling cancer for over two years now, Sara suggested starting a library of camp and horse related books for Flying Horse Farms. Here's a bit of information about FHF.

Flying Horse Farms is a nonprofit organization committed to building a summer camp and year-round retreat center that inspires children with serious illnesses to reach beyond their diseases and embrace the healing power of unbridled fun!

This special place is located in the heart of the Midwest, Mount Gilead, Ohio. Situated on nearly 200 acres of gently rolling hills, lakes, woods, trails, meadows, and wetlands, Flying Horse Farms promises to help children and their families trade the restraints of hospital visits, blood transfusions, chemotherapy treatments, overwhelming stress, worry and fear with days of swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and nights of campfires and singing! All camp activities are designed to allow campers to experience success no matter what their disease or disability. The camp will focus not only on activities but also on building self-confidence, friendships and, of course, providing good old-fashioned fun... at no cost to the campers or their families.

You can participate and help breathe life into this dream by purchasing a book or two for Flying Horse Farms. Here are several ways you can contribute.

• Sara set up a wish list on Amazon. You can choose a book and donate it directly from there. The list is small now, but it will grow as the campers and counselors and the director add new requests to it.

• You may also buy from that list at your local independent bookstore and have them ship to the address below.
  Flying Horse Farms
  225 Green Meadows Drive South, Suite A
  Lewis Center, Ohio 43035

• You can blog about your favorite camp or horse related book. Sara will round up those posts and forward them to the director and consult them in expanding the Wish List.

• If you're an author or illustrator or publisher or blogger with a camp or horse related book, you can donate directly to the camp, but please remember that the camp serves kids ages 7-15 and your donation should reflect the needs of the camp. (Please, in all cases, only NEW books.)

In our house, stories with horses generally revolve around multicultural titles and folktales. Here are some of our favorites.

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses
written and illustrated by Jan Brett

Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia
written and illustrated by Ted and Betsy Lewin

The Magic Horse of Han Gan
written and illustrated by Chen Jiang Hong

The Lost Horse: A Chinese Folktale
written and illustrated by Ed young

We have purchased two of William's favorites, Fritz and the Beautiful Horses and The Magic Horse of Han Gan, for Flying Horse Farms. Won't you join us in sharing the gift of a book?

For You Book Lovers - 50% Off Titles!

Are you looking for books for the holidays? Do you want to get them for half price? Look no further than Boyds Mills Press. From now until the end of the year you can buy any book in stock and receive a whopping 50% off. Shipping is $10, whether you buy one book, one hundred, or more.

The great thing about this deal is that 20% of each book order will go to the Highlights for their 2009 scholarship fund. This means that when you buy a book you will be helping deserving writers go to Chautauqua or attend one of their other workshops.

Here's where you'll find the Fall 08 and Complete Backlist catalogs. The order form can be found here as well. Once you've made your choices you can fax or email the order form, or simply call (877) 512-8366.

Do you want to know which books I've purchased? You know you do! Here are the terrific titles I'll be giving as gifts, most of them to my teacher friends.

Nonfiction
The Big Storm, by Bruce Hiscock
Farmer George Plants a Nation, written by Peggy Thomas and illustrated by Larry Johnson
Lots and Lots of Zebra Stripes, by Stephen Swinburne
Marvels in the Muck: Life in the Salt Marshes, by Doug Weschler
Our Three Bears, written by Ron Hirschi with photographs by Thomas Mangelsen
Sharks, written by Sandra Markle with photographs by Doug Perrine

Poetry
Becoming Billie Holiday, written by Carol Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Birds on a Wire, written by J. Patrick Lewis and Paul Janeczko and illustrated by Gary Lippincott
The Monarch's Progress, by Avis Harley
The Seldom-Ever-Shady Glades, by Sue Van Wassenhove

Picture Books
I Feel a Foot, written by Maranke Rinck and illustrated by Martijn van der Linden
Sparrows, written by Hans Post and Kees Heij and illustrated by Irene Goede

That's 12 books for the price of 6! A very good deal indeed. While these are all relatively new books, the complete backlist is also available at this discount. If there is a book you've been wanting, now's the time to get it. If you are looking for a gift for a teacher's classroom library, this is a great place to go.

3-D ABC - Pop-Up Alphabet Book

I don't often recommend pop-up books, but this one is really intriguing with some very cool constructions. Have a look at this little work of art. (P.S. - For authors thinking about these things, this is a terrific book trailer with great music!)



The book is ABC3D by Marion Bataille.
*Thanks to Richard Hanks at Getting Reading for sharing this.

Book Covers and Boy Appeal

I am totally teeing this one up for Libby, who has written about boy books and girl books here and here.

The author of Jacket Whys writes the following about John Green's Paper Towns in her post entitled Margo vs. Quentin.

What boy is going to pick up this book based on the cover? Don’t get me wrong - I don’t dislike the cover (though my vision of Margo does not gel with the photo here, and I’m glad I got the blue one when I ordered from Amazon). But we all know the line. Girls will read books with boys on the cover - but boys will steer clear of books with covergirls. True for teenage boys? I think so.

A cover is a powerful thing. I hate to say that I judge a book by it's cover, but alas, I do. It's what attracts me to a book once I am intrigued by a title. What makes a good cover/book jacket anyway? Check out the very interesting responses to this very question at The Longstockings. (Scroll down the page for the posts.)

Do young people judge books in the same way? Do you think boys will be dissuaded from toting Paper Towns around simply because it has a girl on the cover? Let's chat, as I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.