December 20, 2017

  

In last week's library classes we learned about three major holidays happening this December - Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.  Feel free to engage your learner by asking them to share some newfound understandings about each holiday.  They should have some insight to share.  

For many, the nonfiction and fiction mentor texts provided a window into (a) holiday(s) they knew little about previously.  What we discovered together in this lesson was that each of these holidays have so much in common (ex. light, candles, family, friends, food, music, dance, and joy - to name a few connections)!   A reminder to all, that we too - like the aforementioned holidays - have more in common with each other than we often realize.  

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season filled with light, love, wonderment, and books!     

    

December 13, 2017

Coyote Moon

By Maria Gianferrari

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

(From SATEC Student’s Choice Award)

Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari (text) and Bagram Ibatoulline (art) was this week's featured mentor text for all classes. This stunningly beautiful and compelling look into a "night in the life" of a coyote mother provided a window for all of us to learn about the often misunderstood and miscast mammal. Also, this wonderful story happens to be a nominee for this year's SATEC Student Choice Award.

In addition to Coyote Moon, learners were also treated to a more traditional nonfiction text with North American Animals: Coyotes. By comparing and contrasting both nonfiction stories, learners were able to see and experience how nonfiction stories can be constructed and created differently. Coyote Moon is best described as narrative nonfiction; a story that reveals facts and details about a subject within the framework of a story (fiction-like). Whereas North American Animals: Coyotes begins with a table of contents and ultimately reads more like an encyclopedia. The contrasting nonfiction titles led to a great discussion and reflection on how different books may be, even within the same genre.

December 6, 2017

A Colorful Week in Library!

Crayons stole the show in last week's library classes - adding a *cough* colorful touch.  Learners were treated to Michael Hall's funny, thought provoking, and uplifting crayon-centric stories, Frankencrayon and Red: A Crayon's Story.  

In addition to being highly entertaining, Frankencrayon also happens to be one of the ten nominees for this year's Red Clover book award.  For those of you keeping score at home, this was our third Red Clover read aloud of the school year.  Learners loved how the crayons spoke directly to them, the audience.  This clever construct led to a discussion on "breaking the fourth wall" - when actors, or characters, speak directly to their audience.  After the story, learners were able to create their own paper Frankencrayons to keep! 

While also starring crayons, Red: A Crayon's Story is delivered with a more serious and sincere tenor than Frankencrayon.  Red, as his crayon label indicates, struggles to find his place as everything he colors comes out blue.  His teacher, mother, grandparents, and even other art supplies (scissors, tape dispenser, etc) all attempt to intervene and help Red to no avail.  

     Red: A Crayon's Story provoked a discussion on symbolism, and how stories often contain a deeper meaning beyond the words and art in a particular book.  One third grader said it best - reminding his class and me, "It doesn't matter what we look like on the outside.  What really matters is who we are on the inside."  Like the Grinch, my heart grew three sizes in that moment.

Curious what learners had to say about Frankencrayon?  Give a listen to the latest RCR (link below).

Red Clover Reflections Vol 3:  https://soundcloud.com/user-561982472/red-clover-reflections-vol-3