The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

I read, and enjoyed The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker-- I think that this is a wonderful book to encourage individuality and creativity- it will show students that no matter what they think, they are talented in many ways. I related to the story because I recall being very apprehensive in expressing what I believed were my talents when I was younger, only through maturation and support was I able to "break out of my shell" and start living life to it's fullest!

Made You Look by Diane Roberts

I really liked this book- I thought it was very clever and realistic. This is the story of a young boy named Jason, who wants more than anything to be on his favorite game show Masquerade Mania- when his family tells him that they are heading to California, he was sure that he finally had his chance to shine!- Until he found out that he was going camping....with his family...."oh how fun"...... MY favorite part was when Jason's mom turned his underwear pink- that is priceless.... every boys worst nightmare. I think this book would be a great read for children of all ages- it's funny and easy to read.

This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong

I recently submitted a book reivew on the Barnes&Noble website for this book! I absolutely love her work, and this book is one of my favorites- check out Barnes&Noble.com and write your own book review, on any title you want! It's actually pretty cool-

Upside Down and Backwards by Diane Bertrand

I read the book Upside Down and Backwards by Diane Bertrand

I really enjoyed this book! I like how it had all kinds of stories compacted into one crazy and funny book! I like how Monica described her worm "Wormia is my worm. She is slimy like Jelly on bread." I would definitely use this book in my classroom to show how important equality and individuality is within languages. I skimmed through the spanish side, and it only made me wish that I was able to speak spanish! The language looked so pretty, and I was curious to hear what it sounded like being read aloud.

Craft Lesson 3: How we are Different: Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Three Little Pigs

Resource Material: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Three Little Pigs and a picture of brothers and sisters.

Discussion:
Everyone knows that when you have siblings, people expect you to be either vastly different or completely the same. I know that this myth of siblings acting the same because they look the same was broken with my younger sister and me. We look almost identical even though we are 5 years apart, and while our mannerisms are the same, we are two completely different and unique people. I would incorporate each book with a compare and contrast on the characters, I would use a Venn diagram to display how the billy goats and the three little pigs were alike and how they were different. Then I would bring it into focus: being unique in a world full of people.

How to Teach It:
I would first have all of the students put the pictures of their siblings up on the board (for those students who were only children, I would ask them to bring either a picture of their best friends or cousins, or have them draw a picture of what they would want their sibling to look like), and I would have each child introduce themselves and those in the photos. I would ask each student which one of their siblings they were most like and which they differed from the most. As a class we would then read the stories and I would have each story set up with a Venn diagram so that we could discuss how the characters were the “same” and how they were “different.” I would make it a point to explain that although the stories’ characters share many similarities (much like each student does with his/her siblings) they are very unique in their own ideas, thoughts, and actions. After reading the story I would ask the students to make a list of how they believe they are LIKE their siblings, and how they believe they are DIFFERENT than their siblings. This lesson would teach the children that even though they are one of two or three in the family, they have so many things to offer that maybe their other students do not. I would also include my own example of how my sister and I are alike and different to show the kids that I can relate.

Related Topics: gender differences, maturity, individuality, strengths

Craft Lesson2: Where Does Luck Come From: This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong

Craft Lesson 2: Where does Luck come from: This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong

Resource Material:
This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong. Every child will bring something that they feel is lucky.
Discussion:
There are so many items that hold value to people for many different reasons. We deem a thing “lucky” or “good” for many different reasons; maybe it’s lucky because the person who gave it to you was a good person, or maybe something good happened on the day you received it—any way you look at it, this item holds a special place in your heart. This book shows different superstitions that are supposed to bring you luck (ex. When your palms itch, you are supposed to be coming into some money soon). I would like to talk to the students about what they feel makes them good.
How to Teach It:
How many of you feel like you are a good person? What makes you feel lucky? Is there a certain object that you carry with you that brings you luck? (Then I would pull out the object that I feel makes me lucky to show the class.) I would say, “I always have this picture with me, because I think that when I have it, good things happen to me.” I would go on and let each child stand up and show their object and give a short explanation on why they believe it brings them luck. When we read the book, I would point out the different cultural superstitions that are supposed to bring good things. For example, lighting a string of firecrackers is supposed to ward off bad things for the Next New Year. Then as a class, we would think of things that Americans think are lucky (ex. rabbit’s foot, four leaf clover, pennies on the ground). I would have researched some of the more common good luck charms, and give the students a quick background on why these objects were considered lucky , and tie in traditions based on those facts. We have traditions that we learn from our ancestors, certain things that we believe, and although we are not sure why we believe them, we continue to pass them on to the generations after us.
Related Topics: Traditions, History, Superstitions

When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer

When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer by Walt Whitman is a book about a young boy who hears an astronomer speak. Then all at once he becomes tired and sick, and goes off by himself to look at the stars in silence. Once again, this book stands out to me because of it's amazing artwork- the lack of text and plot are made up by visual quality. While I would not use this book in my classroom, I have to applaud the beautiful pictures.