Literacy Connections
A Weekly Round Up of Literacy Links & Resources
March 1, 2015
This week I share with you a fantastic website for engaging students in "wondering" and research. (Thanks to Mr. T at Mast Landing School for recommending I share it here!) Many grade levels are working on non-fiction units, either in reading or writing and so I've share a link to the Picture Book 10 for 10 Google+ Community which just hosted their annual Non-Fiction Picture Book 10 for 10 event. You'll also find resources for supporting how students are writing about reading and a fantastic blog post by middle grade author, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, about keeping our eyes on what's important in life and teaching.
Happy Reading!
Susan
Student Wonders
Wonderopolis, is a web-based, interactive, engaging site offering "Wonders of the Day". The site's "Did you know?" for each "Wonder" provides high-interest nonfiction content, along with content vocabulary, "try it" ideas, and links to additional information. There is even a "Read Speaker" feature that will read the "wonder" to students who might find the text difficult to read.
These daily "Wonders" are great hooks to get students engaged in learning. They can serve as lesson starters and prompts for class discussions and research lessons. Students can pick a "Wonder" to explore and then research the topic more in depth.
Be sure to check out the Educator Sandbox for even MORE teaching resources! Wonderopolis allows you to search for topics and browse by categories.
Teachers can use the "Wonderize It" tool to customize a lesson for a selected "Wonder."
Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10
Click here to find all the posts in one, easy to access place.
TWT Blog Series: Writing About Reading
During our upcoming PL Day on March 13, 2015, teachers in grades 3-5 will be working together with a focus on student response to reading. Stay tuned for more specific details about that day.
Back Stories Matter
On the Nerdy Book Club Blog today, Lynda Mullaly Hunt shared a poignant "back" story about one of the characters in her new middle grade novel, Fish in a Tree. But it's about SO much more...and is worth your reading time, whether you've read the book or not. Click here to read the post.
The Book Buzz
All book summaries are from Goodreads.com
Kindergarten
In the heart of the city, among the taxis and towers, a small boy travels uptown and down, searching for his friend. Readers will certainly spot the glorious beast, plus an array of big-city icons they can count. Is the dragon taking the crosstown bus, or breathing his fiery breath below a busy street? Maybe he took a taxi to the zoo or is playing with the dogs in the park. Steve Light’s masterful pen-and-ink illustrations, decorated with meticulous splashes of color, elevate this counting book (numbers 1–20) to new heights. Maybe the dragon is up there, too!
Grade 1
Grade 2
Most genies grant three wishes, but Karim can't grant even one anymore. A yellow genie stole his magic nose ring, leaving him small, powerless, and trapped in that bottle. Emma and her noodle-tailed dog have to help Karim get his nose ring -and his magic- back!
Grade 3
Written in a lyrical style with thoughtful and charming illustrations throughout, this remarkable debut novel tells a poignant story of friendship and the bittersweet feelings of growing up.
Grade 4
As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own
Grade 5
The 2015 Newbery Winner is a fantastic novel in verse!
"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood.Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.
Ideas I could TOTALLY throw my support behind!
Susan Dee K-5 Literacy Strategist
Email: dees@rsu5.org
Location: Freeport, ME, United States
Phone: 207-865-4561
Twitter: @literacydocent