Realistic Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Thunder Cake

Realistic Fiction

Thunder Cake, tells the story of a young girl who is scared of a thunder storm. Grandma helps her overcome her fears by telling her to count between the lighting and the clap of thunder so they can count the miles away the storm is so they can create thunder cake. They gather all the ingredients they need to bake their cake. Her grandmother tells her how brave she is and that she should not be scared of thunder because she collected all of the ingredients

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Lesson Plans: Talk about storms (weather that causes them) and explain the thunder cake recipe and use this to help teach about fractions.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvTtZTYw_lw

Author Information: http://www.patriciapolacco.com/  @PatriciaPolacco

Alexander, and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Realistic Fiction

As you read this book students will love to hear about all the bad things that happen to Alexander. Alexander tells us all about his bad day and all the horrible events happen to him. This book is a funny reminder that even though things we do not like, happen, they are not awful. It is a good reminder that the small things are not that big of a deal.

Lesson Plan: Talk about the adjectives used in this story to describe Alexander’s day. Have students write about their day using many adjectives. Then have students write about their worst day.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTesxhlqr1k

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Realistic Fiction

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, tells the story of Peter and his no good brother, Fudge. Fudge at just two years old is the reason for all of Peter’s problems. Peter cannot stand his little brother because he has horrible behavior but never is punished. Fudge swallows Dribble, Peter’s pet turtle, and is rushed to the hospital to have the turtle removed. The turtle sadly dies and except for Peter, nobody cares, they are just happy that Fudge is okay. This hilarious story is always a favorite for many students and it was one of mine.

Lesson Plan: Have children discuss the elements of the story: Characters, Setting, Plot, and figurative language used throughout the novel.

Author Information: http://www.judyblume.com/  @judyblume

The Dot

Realistic Fiction

The Dot, tells the story of Vashti who believes she cannot draw but when encouraged by her art teacher to make one mark she draws a dot. He teacher has her sign it and then the next week in art class she sees her work hanging on the wall. Inspired by this she continues to draw dots in a variety of colors and sizes. Her art is displayed at the art show where a young boy wants to be like her. He claims he can not draw and shows Vashti by drawing a curvy line. Vashti asks him to sign it. This is such a positive story that really shows what an impact you can have on someone if you just believe in them.

Lesson Ideas: Have students create their own dot on a piece of paper then give students a ruler to measure their dot (diameter, radius, area, and circumference).

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swn-aIwgFVo

Author Information:http://www.peterhreynolds.com/dot/  @peterhreynolds

Science Content Books

Science Content

A Swim Through the Sea

Science Content

A Swim Through the Sea, takes students into the ocean as they discover what goes on below the water. In this book students learn about ocean activity by reading the ABC’s of the ocean. While the pages can be a bit long for younger students to listen to, the pictures and alphabetical story are so wonderful at giving a glimpse of ocean life.

Lesson Idea: Have students create their own ABC’s of the ocean or of other habitats. Have the students research one of the letters from the book and create a presentation on the computer using any presentation maker.

Author Information: http://www.xyzant.com/

Ada Twist Scientist

Science Content

Ada Twist Scientist, the curious Ada Twist who never spoke until one day she climbs a top a clock. Her parents tell her to stop and then Ada begins to ask why? How? When? and the questions never stop. Ada begins to explore her world as her parents resolve to finally help her figure out the world.  This book motivates exploring and experimenting. Students love to read this book because of the rhyming structure.

Lesson Plans: Have a variety of simple science experience set up in the classroom and have students go around to each experiment creating a hypothesis and then testing that hypothesis out. Ask students to come up with an experiment that interested them, have them test the experiment, and bring back results to share with the class.

Author Information: http://www.andreabeaty.com/ @andreabeaty

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL7LOSKrZzg

The Planets

Science Content

The Planets, provides great detail about our solar system. This book is very informational about the solar system but students may get tired of reading this book because it does not tell a story but is actually more informational.

Lesson Plan: Provide students with materials and have them create a model of the solar system. As you read the book, you can have students create the planets as you talk about each one.

Author Information: http://www.gailgibbons.com/

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWBopC5TE-c

The Tiny Seed

Science Content

The Tiny Seed, describes the life cycle of a seed. We read about seeds that land in climates that are no good for growing but our tiny seed lands in a perfect spot. As other flowers grow our tiny seed does not but over time the tiny seed grows into a huge flower, the tallest flower that many come to see, and it towers over everything. As it turns to Autumn, the big flower loses all of its petals but its seeds are carried faraway. The book uses great pictures and details to help students truly understand the events a seed goes through to become a flower.

Lesson Plan: Talk about the life cycle of a flower, have students plant a seed in a small flower pot, and the students must help the flower grow by watering it and keeping it in the sun. The students can experience the life cycle as they watch their seeds grow. Have the students write from their point of view if they were a flower. Then talk about why flowers can only grow in some climates.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6wTeT2cKA

Author Information: http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html @ericcarle

Math Content Books

Math Content

Measuring Penny

Math Content

Measuring Penny, tells the story of a girl, Lisa,  who is assigned to go home and measure something. She decides to measure her dog, Penny. Lisa measures a variety of things about her dog (tail length, paw print and height). She uses standard units and nonstandard units. This book is adorable. Students love to read about dogs and this helps introduce them to measurement

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Lesson Ideas: Have students go around the classroom measuring things in standard and non standard units. Then have students go home and measure something of interest. Students can measure height, weight, volume, and a variety of other things.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kH1Qh6bgq0

Author Information: @LoreenLeedy http://www.loreenleedy.com/

The Door Bell Rang

Math Content

The Door Bell Rang, tells the story of two children who are sitting down to eat some cookies their mother has made. They first count out how many each will get but then the doorbell rings. Someone comes in and they want cookies too. This continues until the house is full. This story is so cute and realistic as the students are so eager to eat their cookies only to have their supply grow smaller as the doorbell rings.

Lesson Ideas: Provide paper cookies for the students to have and then as you read the book have the children divide the cookies up as they should in the book. This is a great way to get students thinking about division.

Author Information: http://pathutchins.com/

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXtu90JnDkM

One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab

Math Content

One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab, tells the story of counting by feet. As we read the book, we learn how many feet crabs, snails, people, dogs, and spiders have by counting. Then we read as we tackle larger numbers like fifty and see how many combinations we can come up with. I love this book because we can see how animals can be used to count, add, and multiply.

Lesson Ideas: Provide the students with manipulatives of the animals to use as we go through the book. Then after reading provide addition and/or multiplication problems  and have the students use the manipulatives to come up with the correct answer.

Author Information: http://www.aprilsayre.com/  @aprilpsayre

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPxeGRBJ7nQ

Lemonade for Sale

Math Content

This book tells the story of a group children in Elm Street Kid’s Club and their quest to raise money to rebuild their clubhouse. The group hatches the plan to sale lemonade to make money. The children graph their results each day and in the end have enough money to rebuild the clubhouse. This story introduces students to graphing in a fun way and helps them think of problems and solutions.

Lesson Ideas: Discuss problem and solution, have the students brainstorm a different way to make money for the clubhouse, and then work on graphing exercises.

Author Information: http://www.stuartjmurphy.com/  @vizlearning

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4BiNXZIjQs

Historical Fiction

Historical Content

Bud, not Buddy

Historical Content

Bud, Not Buddy tells the story of Bud, a ten-year-old orphan, who has lived in orphanages since his mother died four years earlier. He goes on the hunt for the man he thinks is his father, Herman E. Calloway. This story is set during The Great Depression and tells a great story with historical details. This was a book that, when I read it in school, I loved and still distinctly remember now.

Lesson Ideas: Discuss The Great Depression, talk about the music that the Dusky Devastators of the Depression played and talk about other musical instruments, and do a characterization of the each character.

Author Information: http://www.nobodybutcurtis.com/

Number the Stars

Historical Content

Number the Stars, was hands down the most impactful book I read when I was a student. This book tells the story of Ellen Rosen whose Jewish family has to escape because of the Nazis. Ellen goes to live with her friend, Annamarie Johansen under the pretense that she is her sister, Lise, who died previously. This is such a moving story and describes the hardships that Jewish people faced during this time.

Lesson Ideas: Discuss the Holocaust, have students write about what they would do if they were in this situation, and talk about the different religions of this time.

Author Information: http://www.loislowry.com/ @LoisLowryWriter

Out of the Dust

Historical Content

Out of the Dust, tells the story of a young girl, Billie Jo, living in the Midwest during the Dust Bowl. Her father, a wheat farmer, leaves a bucket of kerosene by the stove one day and her mother mistakes it for water and pours it in the kitchen. The house catches on fire, Billie Jo’s mother catches on fire and Billie Jo’s hands are severally burnt. Her mother passes away as does the baby her mother was expecting. Billie Jo and her father are unable to have a relationship and Billie Jo runs away. While gone she realizes she belongs with her father and returns to him. This story left such an impression on me when I read it. I believe it will helps students understand the harshness of the Dust Bowl while reading an enjoyable story.

Lesson Ideas: Discuss the book as a verse poem to open up the topic of poetry. Then discuss poetry naming and providing examples of elements of poetry. Ask the students to pick any time period or historical event and write poetry on it. This book also allows for a variety of discussing the Dust Bowl. We can take a look at when and where these Dust Bowls took place and think about the impacts. Have students write a poem about themselves as if they lived in the Dust Bowl.

Author Information: https://karenhesseblog.wordpress.com/

The Other Side

Historical Content

The Other Side, tells the story of Clove, a young African-American girl and the fence in her backyard. Clove’s mother tells her that she must never cross the fence. Then one day, she notices a young white girl who appears lonely playing on the other side. Even though neither are not allowed to cross over the fence the pair decides to sit on the fence together. The fence, which symbolizes segregation, kept the pair away from each other but they overcame it and decided that they did not think the fence should be there.  The illustrations and story are wonderful as they tell the story of two girls who want to play together.

Lesson Ideas: Teach students about symbolism and ask what they believe the fence is a symbol for. Then group students up and make a “fence” or line in the class where they cannot talk to each other to demonstrate what this must have been like for Clove and for all the others who were segregated.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM97WDMbXV0

Author Information: http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/  @JackieWoodson

Fantasy

Fantasy

The Day the Crayon’s Quit

Fantasy

The Day the Crayon’s Quit, tells the hilarious story of the day the crayon’s had all had enough. Tired of being used for the same ole same ole. Each crayon tells the story what they are tired of, in a letter to Duncan. This story is absolutely adorable for all children. The creativity behind this story is wonderful.

Lesson Ideas: Ask the students to do some creative writing on why they think their crayon would quit. This book and activity prompts students to get creative.

Author Information: http://www.crayonspicturebooks.com/drew-daywalt-oliver-jeffers/ @DrewDaywalt

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtc05BG9yz8

The Day the Crayons Came Home

Fantasy

The sequel to The Day the Crayon’s Quit, tells the story of different crayons who have been lost or ran away. They send him a postcard to ask him to come get them. He creates a home for all his crayons.

Lesson Ideas: Have students write from the point of the view of a crayon asking the students what color they would be and where they would run away. Then, have students build their own crayon storage from classroom materials asking them to make their crayons a home have a rectangular prism, cylinder, or prism home.

Author Information: http://www.crayonspicturebooks.com/drew-daywalt-oliver-jeffers/ @DrewDaywalt

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXBe7PKIk9U

A Bad Case of the Stripes

Fantasy

A Bad Case of the Stripes, tells Camilla Cream’s story. Camilla likes Lima beans but her classmates do not, so she does not eat them because she wants to fit in. As her mother goes to get her for school she has a bad case of the stripes. Camilla turns a variety of patterns depending on what her classmates call out. After a series of transformations Camilla’s only hope is trying Lima beans. That cures it! Camilla learns that it does not matter whether or not she does what everyone else does. It is better to stand out than fit in. I love this story and the lesson it teaches in such a unique way.

Lesson Ideas: Deliberate traits (physical traits versus personality traits). Learn about cause and effect by thinking of and discussing what caused the stripes and what the effect of these stripes were.

Author Information: http://nodavidshannon.com/

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlciBmHJd2A&t=493s

The Rainbow Fish

Fantasy

The Rainbow Fish, was one of my favorite stories when I was a child and I cannot wait to share it with my students. The Rainbow Fish is a story about a beautiful rainbow and shiny colored fish who swims in the ocean. A fish one day asks for a sparkly fin and the Rainbow Fish yells no and tells him he will not give him a fin. After this, none of the other fish want anything to do with him, but the Rainbow fish does not understand why. He goes on a hunt to find out why nobody likes him. He is told to give away his sparkly fins to the other fish. Then the fish comes back and asks again for a scale and this time the Rainbow Fish gives him a sparkly scale. In the end, the Rainbow Fish learned the more scales he gave away the happier he became.

Lesson Ideas: Study about fish and the ocean habitat. Count how many shiny scales the rainbow fish has and then subtract as he gives away his scales.  Discuss the moral of the story about how sharing and being nice is better than not sharing and being beautiful.

Author Information: http://www.marcuspfister.ch/ 

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbKr-k1PTvA

Picture Books before 1970

Picture Books before 1970

Very Hungry Caterpillar

Picture books before 1970

Published in 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar tells the story of a caterpillar from egg hatching to transformation into a beautiful butterfly. We see as this small caterpillar works his way through eating a variety of food before settling down to create a cocoon to become a butterfly. This is a classic story that I recall reading in elementary school, I loved this story and I am sure my students will too. Not only is the story delightful but the illustrations are wonderful.

Lesson Idea: Discussion of the life cycle of caterpillars to butterflies, perform a graphing exercise based on likes and dislikes of what the caterpillar ate, and counting activity based on what the caterpillar ate.

Author Information: http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html  @ericcarle

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkYmvxP0AJI

Goodnight Moon

 Picture book before 1970

Published in 1947, Goodnight Moon is a classic bedtime story as we read about a bunny saying goodnight to just about everything. When I was a little girl I loved this story and I loved the pictures in this story. I hope my students will enjoy this book too.

Lesson Ideas: Sequence activities on getting ready for bed (first, take a shower, second, put on pjs, next, brush teeth, then, say goodnight to all, finally, turn off the light and lay in bed), discussion of the phases on the moon with Oreos, and discussion of time since the clock changes thru the story, we can take a look at time.

Author Information: http://margaretwisebrown.com/

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yu_g5x3ZoQ

Madeline

Picture book before 1970

In 1939, a story about twelve girls leaving in a boarding house in Paris with one girl, Madeline, being the star. Madeline tells the story of the youngest girl who is care free and daring. She wakes up in the middle of the night and has to have her appendix removed. Once her appendix is removed, all the other girls want theirs removed too. Madeline, since created, has sparked a franchise of books, television shows, and dolls. Growing up, Madeline was my favorite story and I even had a Madeline doll. I hope that the young readers in my class will love it too.

Lesson Ideas: Discussion of different cultures (American vs French) and learn about France.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cNH25ArNWo

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Children’s picture book before 1970

Harold just wants to go for a walk but there’s no sidewalk, so he draws one with his purple crayon. He wants to see the moon but there is not one so he draws one with his purple crayon. Published in 1955, this story provides children with the best lesson possible that if you dream it you can do it.

Lesson Idea: Give all the students a purple crayon and empower them by telling them with this crayon they are to draw the one thing they want most. This teaches a lesson to never stop trying to achieve what you want.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVaOOgWyvJM

Biographies

Biographies

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

Biography

This book tells the story of Ruth Badger Ginsburg, a Supreme Court justice. In I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark, we learn the story of Ruth Badger Ginsburg and how her life has been full of disagreements. This book is broken into long paragraphs and short illustrated pages which offers something to a variety of readers depending on their skill level. The illustrations are wonderfully done. It is a cute book with such an informational background.

Lesson Ideas: Discuss the branches of government with heavy talk on the Supreme Court. Discuss Supreme court and Supreme court Justices. Give children their own “issues” to argue and set up a mock Supreme Court.

Author Information: http://debbielevybooks.com @debbielevybooks

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Biographies

The Story of Ruby Bridges, tells of Ruby Bridges, being that she was the first black student to desegregate in an  all white elementary school. Ruby faces many changes as parents demand she not be around their children and result in children not being sent to school because they did not want them to be near her. This story tells such a heartbreaking historical story that reminds us all to be more kind. I adore this story and it’s illustrations that appeal to students.

Lesson Ideas: Teach students about segregation and immigration. Set up a mock segregation experience allowing students to experience a small fraction of what students went through years ago.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8D4ldGY41s

I am Helen Keller

Biography

I am Helen Keller tells the story of a young girl who was born with a rare disease which caused her to become deaf and blind. With the help of her teacher she is able to communicate via sign-language and braille. Once she has gained the ability to express herself Helen Keller then becomes a social activist for those with disabilities.

Lesson Idea: Practice learning braille activities on not being able to speak or see, and sign language practice. All of these activities are done to teach children the importance of understanding that all are different but able to overcome these differences.

Author Information: http://bradmeltzer.com/  @bradmeltzer

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opdDTU37_ZE

Boy Tales of Childhood

Biography

Boy tells the story of Roald Dahl, author of many books (Matlida, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The BFG). This book tells his story from life to leaving school discussion on the public school system and ends with his first job. Boy is such an interesting read for those in the upper reading levels.

Lesson Ideas: Compare and contrast today’s public education system versus the system described by Dahl. Have children write their own biographies and ask them to expand into what they imagine their future will look like.

Author Information: https://www.roalddahl.com/