Riverton Elementary

The Very Lonely Firefly

by Eric Carle

 

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle is a great read-a-loud for preschool, K-1, and ID units.  We talk about hope and not giving up.  We also talk about Eric Carle's artwork and how he uses tissue paper to create beautiful art.  While reading the story students are able to fill in words each time the firefly finds a different light.  The students also love making the sounds the dog, cat, and owl make and even the angry sounds a cat and dog make.  Our book has tiny lights on the last page that the children get very excited to see and can imagine what a real firefly might look like at night.  I'm sure you will have fun reading this story and your younger students will enjoy listening to it and helping you read it.

 

Kris

Rosamond Elementary

" Houdini, the Amazing Caterpillar" by Janet Pederson  (May Report)

With spring in the air, there are many new insects and creatures appearing everywhere. "Houdini" is a wonderful story about a caterpillar who wanted to be the star of the Kindergarten Class he was displayed in The process of growing from egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis and to butterfly is described. (Our Kindergarten classes were watching this exact process in their classrooms, so they were excited to hear this story).

The author was the mother of a Kindergarten child whose class had a caterpillar. She thought it would make a great story. We also discussed  Harry Houdini, the escape artist. He was like the caterpillar in the story. It made a good Pair-n-Share. We displayed several books about monarch butterflies and how they become such beautiful creatures. Of course the children were anxious to read these books and learn more.

 

Suggested Pair-n-Share Titles:

"Who Was Harry Houdini?" by Tui T. Sutherland

"Escape, the Story of Houdini" by Sid Fleischman

"Monarchs" by Kathryn Lasky

"Amazing World of Butterflies & Moths" by Louis Sabin

"The Journey - Stories of Migration" by Cynthia Rylant

Daybreak Elementary

Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee

 

This book takes you on a fun roller coaster ride!  But be sure to watch all the different people in the story to see how they enjoy the ride.  The illustrations are great and with summer here the kids love this one.

Riverton Elementary

School Lunch

by: True Kelley

 

We read the students 1-6 School Lunch by True Kelley.

We talked about how hard the Lunch Ladies work and also let the children tell about their favorite menu made in our kitchen.  The students were reminded to tell our Lunch Ladies thank you.  On Friday which is our pizza day the Lunch Ladies were invited in for storytime and sat in our comfy library chairs.  They put their feet up on the step stools and were presented cards made by the class who was there at the time.  As I read the story I changed the Lunch Manager's name to our Lunch Manager's name.  The students really enjoyed this story and our Lunch Ladies loved it so much one is thinking about buying a copy for each of them.

 

Kris

Rosamond Elementary

"Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude"  by Kevin O'Malley  (April Report)

Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley, Carol Heyer and Scott Goto

Once upon a time there was a "cool" book to read to your students. Three different illustrators contributed to the story. The first artist (and author) represents the girl and boy who have to tell a new fairy tale to their class. The problem is that they can't agree on which fairy tale to describe. The second artist illustrates the girl's side of the tale and the third artist the boy's side of the story. The book goes back and forth.  Will they ever agree? Of course changing your voice to reflect the various characters is half the fun. This story appeals to both girls and boys alike.

 

Southland Elementary

We've been reading a new favorite book this week:  Too Many Toys, by David Shannon.  Every child and every parent can relate to this tale of attempted organization of a child's toys.  Spencer, the main character, haggles, wrestles and argues over every toy he owns with his mom, as she tries to weed out his toy collection.  Finally, the toy he can not part with is the box which stores the toys he has agreed to part with.  It's a very funny read.  The kids really enjoyed it.

Herriman

Ok.... now that I have your attention!  (and I realized I didn't give you the name of this wonderful book)  The must read book is....drum roll ...  CHESTER  by Melanie Watt