For the month of March, I will be participating in the Slice of Life Challenge (#sol19) sponsored by Two Writing Teachers. I will be slicing each day for 31 days inspired by my work as a literacy specialist and coach, my life, and my fellow bloggers. This is day 5.
5/31 Monday Book Shelf #sol19
March 4, 2019
If you are reading this, you might have the same problem I do. Bookshelves bursting at the seams and an organization system that works one day, but not the next. Welcome to my Monday bookshelf, where I will organize a stack of books in the whim that strikes me that day. Hopefully this stack will resonate.
Stack #1 Mirrors and Windows for Shared Reading and Read Aloud
Providing for reflection of the school experience for some and empathy creating conversations and reflection for all through shared reading and read aloud can be a multipurpose tool in the classroom. With so much content, wise choice of books help us discuss Social Emotional Learning goals along with decoding and comprehension skills.
These book provide a glimpse into the lives of children who are struggling to find their place in this world. Isn’t this true for many?
A Boy Called Bat was this year’s Global Read Aloud pick for the younger students’ read. What to say about Bat? Bat struggles are in some ways universal and in others particular. He is sensitive to sound, loves routine, has objects for comfort, avoids eye contact, and is incessantly inquisitive. When Bat’s mother fosters a baby skunk, Bat learns a lot and by sharing that moves closer to friendship. What I love is that everything isn’t smoothly resolved in the end. A beautiful read aloud for any class perhaps first through third grade.
Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker is much more in-your-face kind of reading. Beatrice’s classmates and teacher can get frustrated with her ways. This is a book about her trials and missteps, her attempts and successes. Again, I like that everything isn’t perfectly resolved. I am wondering if reading a chapter or a book talk might spark an interest in a small book club in grades two through four.
Stuart Goes to School and Stuart’s Cape are particularly new books, just new to me. Stuart is starting to school and has some real and exaggerated fears about what might happen. Unlike the my other choices, there is magic involved here. The magic, however, is not necessarily responsible for Stuart’s change in thinking. An easy chapter book for reluctant transitioning readers, possible shared reading text for second graders, a book reviewed book for a book club. Many possibilities for this short series. Also magically written by Sarah Pennypacker, a perennial favorite.
Fox the Tiger, a book award winner for 2018, is a charming beginning reader about a Fox that decides to be a tiger. His plan, his friends’ reactions make for a surprising deep well for character change and feeling discussion. Perfect for shared reading in a late kindergarten and any time in first grade.
I might label this bin. Be Unique, Be You.
Great list! A Boy Called Bat was a contended for our One Book, One School title last year. I don’t think we chose it because our PTA wanted something more adventurous… we should reconsider for another year. I don’t know any of the other titles but I’d like to check them out!
What did you choose that was more adventurous than that main character?
It actually turned into a thing… we just read Trumpet of the Swan in the end… We just launched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
What a unique way to think organize the books! I just may need to get my hands on Fox the Tiger and the Stuart books! We almost used a Boy Called Bat for our One Book Two Schools but we didn’t – can’t remember why….hmmm Thanks for sharing!
Fox the Tiger is a series 💕
Thank you for this!
I do love Beatrice Zinker. I wish I had been her as a kid–doing my own thing, not worrying about what others thought. That teacher though!!
Have you read Dory Fantasmagory? She’s a quirky character that kids can identify with as well.
I think I enjoyed the second Bat book even more than the first! Go Bat!
I have a space problem–not a book problem. Stacks on stacks of joy!
I had Dory on the list, but I don’t love her, so I took her off. I don’t know if it’s the invisible friend or the invisible villain. I wanted to like her. She’s what started this inquiry- a short chaptered novel with drawings. I have her in the basket, so far no takers.
I usually read Dory aloud in April–I teach first grade–and that’s about the time we are ready for her.
have you read Stuart?
Not yet! I will look for it in the library so I can.