Family Pictures

Family Pictures

by: Carmen Lomas Garza

Garza, C., & Rohmer, H. (1990). Family pictures. San Francisco, Calif.: Children's Book Press.

 This story tells one of the traditions that Garza's family share rooted in their heritage.  Some of the memories mentioned include birthdays, cooking tamales, going to fairs in Mexico with her family.  She always wished to become an artist, and it's possible that her publication of this book fuldilled her dream in a certain sense!

This book is another autobiography that I love for many reasons, but to begin it is bilingual and has excelled illustrations rich with color and details.  I think that this book could be used in any sort of classroom settings because a major theme is family and traditions.  For an older classroom you could conduct a family research project, while in the younger grades you could make a family tree craft.  I would love to use this book in my future classrooms!

Family Tree Lesson Plan

Eggs

Eggs

by: Jerry Spinelli

Spinelli, J. (2007). Eggs. New York: Little, Brown.

David is only 9 years old when he needs to grow up fast due to his mother's death in an accident, and his father's schedule which requires him to be on the road.  With all of these changes he neglects a relationship with his grandmother and takes his emotions out on her.  Until one day, when David meets Primrose, a 13 year old who does not know her father, and her mother is close to not existing.  Together they balance one another and fill a void that was missing in their lives.  This story is one that should be read to hear the struggles of life, yet the power of friendship.

This is not an easy book to read for young students.  I think that the topics that are addressed, a teacher would need to guide discussion within the classroom.  I did not particularly like this story.  Realistic fiction is something I enjoy reading, which is why I believe I criticize the texts more closely.  I am not passionate about this book, so I don't think I would be able to teach it very well.

Watch the Trailer!
 Meet the Author

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing

by: Judy Blume

Blume, J. (2007). Tales of a fourth grade nothing. New York: Puffin Books.

Meet Judy!

Peter is fed up with his 2 year old brother, Fudge.  He just does not understand how he can throw temper tantrums, disturb his pet turtle, and cause all sorts of ruckus without getting in any sort of trouble!  Unfortunately, things do not get better. One day Peter returns home to discover that Dribble, his turtle, is not in his tank.  Fudge admits that he ate it, and to their disbelief after a trip to the emergency room, he was telling the truth!  Sadly, Dribble has died after being swallowed.  Luckily, Peter receives a dog in compensation whom he names Turtle.

This book was HYSTERICAL and something that I think any child could relate to.  Whether having a younger sibling, cousin, neighbor, etc., the annoying behaviors that ensue are something no child enjoys.  This book had me laughing, and thinking of a lot of crafts and sequencing ideas that I could use in my classroom.  Judy Blume is an author I would enjoy doing an author study on because I think her work is well done, appropriate, and relate-able for students.

Write to the Author 

Jake Drake, Bully Buster

Jake Drake, Bully Buster

by: Andrew Clements

Clements, A., & Pedersen, J. (2001). Jake Drake, bully buster. New York: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers.

 Fourth grader Jake Drake tells the story of how he has gone from being a bully-magnet ever since preschool to becoming a bully buster in second grade. His experiences make an interesting story with a lot of topics for conversation, but I did not enjoy the story itself.

 I read this book as a supplementary text for my author study, and it really intrigued me into discovering more stories that are associated with bullying.  I was not the biggest fan of this one, but I still think that in younger grades it could be used as a read aloud to the class.  Bullying is a very important issue that needs to be addressed more often.


Sticks & Stones Lesson Ideas

Surviving Brick Johnson

Surviving Brick Johnson

by: Laurie Myers

Myers, L., & Yaccarino, D. (2000). Surviving Brick Johnson. New York: Clarion Books.

 A child's worst nightmare is being targeted by a bully.  One day, Alex decides he is going to make fun of the big bad bully, Brick Johnson.  He is petrified because he thinks Brick is going to come after him when he least expects it.  He enrolls in karate class to make himself stronger, and is startled to see that Brick is in the same class.  Not only that, but he shows Alex respect! This story is the untold story of the bully-- the insecurities and the walls that they put up to be perceived as bad, but at heart are good.

I think this book addressing bullying with a perspective that most students are unable to understand at a young age, especially when a bully has affected their lives.  This book is well written, and easy to understand.  Most critics agree that this is a book that should not sit on the shelves, but rather be passed around to students and parents to deepen the conversation about bullying.

Banish Bullying! 4 day lesson plan

Frindle

Frindle By: Andrew Clements

Nick Allen enters fifth grade knowing that his teacher, Mrs. Granger, may be his biggest enemy thig year, but that will not stop his antics.  His witty behavior led him to complete an extra assignment on one of the first days of class, which she believed would end his run as the class clown.  Little did Mrs. Granger know that he started a revolution by introducing the word "frindle" into the students' vocabularies.  What will happen to Nick, and will his word survive?


This book is broken down into chapters that are easy to read and encourage the reader to continue to the next page.  A nice feature is that there are black and white sketch photos throughout the book depicting some important scenes from the specific chapter.  The vocabulary, especially the creation of "frindle," is something that would provide great discussion among the class.

Read more about the author!

Frindle Lesson Plans



Clements, Andrew, and Brian Selznick. Frindle. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 1996. Print.

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by: Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan tells the story about a gorilla, Ivan, who recalls his life living in his domain, or cage, at the mall for close to thirty years.   Ivan is an artist among being a protector and friend to the elephants, Stella and Ruby, whom live next to him.  Throughout the book the reader understands his triumphs and failures in addition to the power that friendship holds among the animals.  Ivan will do anything to create a better life for his friends and himself who are captives at the mall.  A novel filled with humor and vivid descriptions, Ivan’s story is truly one to be remembered.  (based on the real Ivan gorilla)

 

This book provides great discussion for themes such as humanity, friendship, animal protection, and so much more.  The figurative language paints a picture in any readers' mind, and there are no chapter numbers, only titles.  Although certain topics become sensitive in this book, Applegate gives the reader plenty to laugh about and by the end you feel connected to each of the characters.

Book Trailer 

The Real Ivan!

Visualizing Activity 

Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. New York: Harper, 2012. Print.