Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Theme: Be Yourself

This is the final week of our theme link party.
I hope you have some new titles to use in your classroom.

This week's theme: Be Yourself
This theme was a favorite of my class!

Emily's Art by Peter Catalanotto
No I didn't just pick this because it has my name in the title!

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
Who says you always need a man to rescue you?

Bob by Tracey Campbell Pearson
Stand Straight Ella Kate
My students loved this book!  There was a fury of kids who agreed who they would pass it to next because they all so interested in this true story about a woman from Missouri.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Every kid knows Ferdinand but they haven't looked at it through the lens of theme.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Many of my 5th graders read this book in 4th grade to talk about character traits.  It is great to reread it thinking about theme.

Gregory the Terrible Eater
I loved this book was a kid.  It is also one that connects to the health curriculum.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
My class read this book during our launching unit, so it was great to pull it out again for theme.

Noah Webster and His Words by Jeri Chase Ferris
Oliver Button Is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola
Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges
The Sign Painter by Allen Say
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
Too Shy for Show and Tell by Beth Bracken
Thanks for joining our weekly post about theme!

What books do you read to teach the theme be yourself?

EmilyK

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Theme: Death/Aging

With the year coming to an end, we know this theme is a little somber, but it is an important theme for upper grade kids.

This week's theme: Death/Aging

A Dog Like Jack by Anne DiSalvo-Ryan
Can you say Marley?

Everett Anderson's Goodbye by Lucille Clifton
Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
This is another one of those "I found it on the shelf" books.  I love it!

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
It's not just living things that age!

The Two of Them by Aliki
The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant
My students really liked this book.  They understood that she was lonely and they liked that she got a dog in the end.

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
This book might seem like a short book, but the illustrations and the theme are very beautiful.

Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola
This book reminds me of a former 2nd grade student, Nicholas.  When he arrived to our school, he had recently moved in the his Nana and Papa.  I  never cease to be amazed by what students have to overcome in life.  He loved this book.  

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

What titles do you use to teach aging?

EmilyK