So . . . I am back to teaching again! Finally! If you are a regular reader of this blog, you might notice that I have announced this frequently but considering we had job action disruption since May and more than 5 weeks of full scale strike action, I am celebrating in every moment that I am back to doing what I love.
My energy is “leapy” – which I am not sure is a word exactly but I’m translating it as: a feeling of great excitement; can result in jumping up and bouncing about in happiness. Often and without warning.
Sitting to write a blog post will be a little challenging. I decided to use this opportunity to celebrate nonfiction titles to share some books I am thinking of reading aloud to my students in the next few months and why. . .
The Rat by Elise Gravel (published 2014)
Our first read aloud of the year was The Fly by Gravel and it was a huge hit. Students are completely intrigued with this series and I can’t wait to share more titles with them. One child offered this description:
“great because it’s a graphic novel and it fills your head with knowledge and funny facts!”
Salmon Creek written by Annette LeBox and illustrated by Karen Reczuch (published 2002)
We are off on our first field trip of the year on Monday, heading up to Grouse Mountain to explore. Salmon Creek will give us an opportunity to read about B.C. wildlife and forest habitats.
Can We Save the Tiger? written by Martin Jenkins and illustrated by Vicky White (published in 2011)
I want to study endangered and extinct animals as we learn more about habitats, animal interactions and adaptations. This is one of the best nonfiction titles to introduce some of these concepts.
Parrots Over Puerto Rico by Cindy Trumbore and Susan L. Roth (published in 2013) Winner of the 2014 Sibert Medal
The perfect story about how human actions can begin to help rather than only interfere with an endangered species.
The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmurry (published 2013)
I love sharing picture book biographies and this is a title I didn’t get to read aloud last year. I also have some incredible art projects in mind that I think this book will inspire.
Jasper’s Story: Saving Moon Bears written by Jill Robinson and Marc Bekoff; illustrated by Gijisbert van Frankenhuyzen (published 2013)
Another title that illustrates how a species can become endangered because of human treatment and behaviour. I found this book this summer and knew it would be a book I had to share with my class.
Feathers Not Just for Flying written by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen (published 2014)
I have a very interesting project in mind that this book will be a part of. There are a few other titles that will also be part of the inspiration. I don’t want to spoil anything but stay tuned . . .
Eye to Eye: How Animals See The World by Steve Jenkins (published April 2014)
Every year I share bits of a Steve Jenkins book over the course of weeks or even months. A page or so a day. This is the Jenkins title I plan to begin with.
Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for the inspiration to read and share more nonfiction picture books in 2014. Follow the link to Alyson’s blog to read about more nonfiction books you need to read!
My goal is to read 65 nonfiction picture books for 2014. Progress: 107/65 complete!
There's a Book for That 
Such wonderful books on this list. I can’t wait to see the projects that you will be creating!
Thanks Cathy! It is so wonderful to choose some books and know I really will be able to share them with students and soon . . . ! It has been such a pleasure to begin reading aloud again in my classroom.
I love the way you share some books slowly with your students. That’s actually the best way to experience some books, and I know that for myself, I’m often in such a rush to read more, finish more, move on to the next book, that I don’t always give books the time and slow attention they deserve. I am going to try your strategy in my face-to-face Children’s Lit class next semester. I do love teaching that class face-to-face so that I can share books! I definitely have to purchase a couple of Elise Gravel titles before then! And I do love the word leapy!
These Elise Gravel titles are must owns. I just tweeted the cutest photo of two of my little readers sitting side by side reading The Worm and The Fly. I find certain titles really lend themselves to a slow meander through the pages. We all need time to reflect, question and absorb information. That’s where the deep learning and the connections really happen I think. Love to know how this works out in your class.
Hi Carrie 🙂 So happy you are back with children and books together! Love hearing what you are doing, and will be sharing your blog with my teacher candidates this year – if you don’t mind 🙂
Don’t mind a bit. I am THRILLED to be back. It was much much too long!
So glad you’re back in the classroom and feeling leapy! 🙂 You’ve chosen some wonderful titles to share. There are a few I don’t know and will be looking for them now!
Leapy indeed! It is just so incredible to be back sharing titles and learning experiences.
I have several teachers ordering Eye to Eye for various research projects for students. Love that you have a plan in mind, & now I’m anticipating hearing all about it, Carrie. I’ve been talking about trips with different teachers and will share the Salmon Creek title with them, too. We have a pond in the large park nearby, and it’s a good one for observations. Happy to hear your beginning books, some to savor for a long time! Thanks for sharing your thinking too!
Salmon Creek is a gorgeous, lyrical story. Started it with kids today and one child immediately said, “it’s like a poem.”
You’ve highlighted some books I love here, and introduced me to The Rat! I loved The Worm, so I’m sure I will enjoy this new one! Thanks for inspiring me to join the NF picture book fun! Have a great week being leapy and smily!
So glad you are now participating in NF Wednesdays. I love these titles by Gravel! And so do my students!
You’ve turned me on to a few titles I want for the library. First, I’ve gone and ordered all of Gravel’s disgusting creatures series. I’m also interested in Eye to Eye. What would I do without you?
So pleased that you have ordered this series. I love these books! Hope we get a visit soon where we ONLY talk books!
I’m going to use some of these books with some 4th grade students to get them into some nonfiction reading. I can’t wait to see some of the art projects you’ll do with this book! I need some inspiration!
I often imagine art projects just a few pages into a book. My brain has started working that way.
HI Carrie,
Ending with a big smile and a sigh, I’ve just finished binge reading over a month’s worth of “There’s a Book for That” blog posts. While I’ve followed you and BC’s really rotten strike situation on Twitter, reading your blog had me riding that emotional roller coaster with you. As I relived your emotions, I switched back and forth between my Amazon Wish List and the tale of the unbelievable duration of the dispute with the government. Shame on them for so many reasons! Thank heavens for you and most especially for those dear, sweet children whom you teach, that you are back where you belong. Your passion for teaching, learning, and kids continues to be a rich inspiration to all! The joy you have spread by sharing the photos of your happy and super engaged students is a gift. Thank you! It almost makes the gorgeous books you’ve shared pale in comparison. Who’d have thought that was possible? I know that you will relish every crazy moment that our profession brings but, relish too the sense of peace and balance it will bring back to your life.
I hope to be in Vancouver in the next couple of weeks. How could we connect so that I might visit your classroom? What a dream come true that would be!
Stephanie
Wow. I can’t quite imagine reading a month’s worth of posts all at once. It would really seem like the strike was never going to end. Sigh. I really wondered for a while . . . I am thrilled to be back in the room! The children are wonderful – even with the ups and downs of adjusting. I am very excited to have you visit our classroom. I just sent you an email using the email address you signed in with.
What a great list once again, dear Carrie. I had a chance to hike up Grouse Mountain when I visited BC in 2009. That was quite an experience. Loved every minute of it – notwithstanding some of the very minor death-defying aspects of it. 🙂
We will be riding up in the gondola! Which is a little freaky for many children as it is . . .