5/31 Monday Book Shelf #sol19

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.