Monday June 6th, 2016

Posted on June 5, 2016 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share a reading photo of the week. I loved this engaged duo reading nonfiction for buddy reading. Lots of talking and commentary going on!

For those following our robot love art projects (this is for you Elisabeth Ellington) inspired by reading Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman – we have now made robot homes for our robots!

For our #classroombookaday, we read some lovely titles! All were beloved.

Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. It’s the best way to discover what to read next.

On the Blog:

I am applying for jobs right now and thinking about taking my book collection along – – > These Books (Slice of Life)

Books I enjoyed:

One Day on our Blue Planet . . . In the Savannah by Ella Bailey

My class loves this series (and hopes, like me, that there will soon be more!) We loved the end pages, the events of a day of one little creature and learning so much about a specific place in the world.

The Twins’ Blanket by Hyewon Yum

As a mama of twins, this book has special connected feelings. A lovely book about siblings in general, more specifically about the connection of twins.

The White Book by Silvia Borando, Elisabetta Pica and Lorenzo Clerici

Wonderful and wordless. Some paint, a white wall and who knows what might happen!

Sun and Moon by Lindsey Yankey

I really loved the illustrations here. Moon would like to trade places with sun for the day. When asked to really pay attention to the world he sees when looking carefully, is that still what he wants?

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg and Matthew Cordell

The voice of this character! Cordell’s whimsical illustrations! Ideal early primary material. I am a big instant fan.

House Arrest by K.A. Holt

Oh, my heart. I cried finishing the book. Cried reading the acknowledgements. Incredible read – a novel in verse with such voice. I am in awe and mostly speechless. A must, must, must read!

Reading Progress updates:

2016 Chapter Book Challenge: 21/75 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 165/400 books read

#MustReadin2016: 19/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 24/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2016: 19/50 books read

Up next? I am reading Summerlost by Ally Condie

Monday April 11th, 2016

Posted on April 10, 2016 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share a reading photo of the week This week I am celebrating the Frog and Toad love! These girls are getting everyone in our class excited about reading Frog and Toad titles! The power of a reading community!

For our #classroombookaday, The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School led the way. Who wouldn’t want hair like this?

On the blog:

Monday by Numbers for a Slice of Life

For Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: One Day on our Blue Planet . . . in the Antarctic

Must Read in 2016: Spring Update

Books I enjoyed:

Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer

Simply the perfect mentor text for poetry writing. Enough said.

The Night Gardener by the Fan brothers

This is just a wow title. It has so much of what I love in a picture book – some surprises, a intergenerational connection, a sense of wonder, lots of creativity . . . Divine.

I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien

What a wonderful title to communicate all of the confusion and nervous feelings of a student new to a classroom community from another country.

Listen to Our World written by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Melissa Sweet’s illustrations are as usual, beautiful. Lyrical, poetic, repetitive text showcasing different animal habitats. Page orientation changes making this a wonderful read aloud.

One Day on our Blue Planet . . . In the Antarctic by Ella Bailey

I featured this lovely little book this week for nonfiction picture book Wednesday.

Written and Drawn by Henrietta by Liniers

What a fantastic Toon tale! ideal for Writer’s Workshop!

When I am Happiest by Rose Lagercrantz and Eva Eriksson

The third young novel in this series. Exploring friendship, family and strong emotions.

Reading Progress updates:

2016 Chapter Book Challenge: 14/75 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 107/400 books read

#MustReadin2016: 12/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 16/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2016: 13/50 books read

Up next? I am almost finished Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Our family read aloud is Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: One Day on our Blue Planet . . . In the Antarctic

Posted on April 6, 2016 by carriegelson

If you shouldn’t fall in love with a book by its cover . . . how about its end pages? Because these are truly stunning! The front pages feature all of the animals you might find above the ice in Antarctica and the final end pages reveal many of the creatures who live below the Antarctic waters.

One Day on our Blue Planet . . . In the Antarctic by Ella Bailey (Flying Eye Books 2016)

Wander (or waddle) through the day of an Adélie penguin chick in her Antarctic home. Through the story of her day we are introduced to elements of the Antarctic landscape, penguin habits, their predators and the creatures who share their home.

Perfect for younger listeners, this is a beautiful read aloud to introduce children to the continent of Antarctica and it is sure to spark further reading and research. This would also be a wonderful mentor text for older readers to share their research on an animal as a “day in the life” format.

This book begs you to consider art projects. It is stunning on every page. Like all Flying Eye Books, the pages are high quality and the colour palette, so attractive.

Pair this title with these titles about Antarctica:

Sophie Scott Goes South by Alison Lester (published in 2012)

Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill, a stunning Flying Eye book published in 2014.

Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for the inspiration to read and share more nonfiction picture books in 2016. Follow the link to Alyson’s blog to read about more nonfiction books you need to read!

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