Visualizing

     


Picture It!
This book is about a caterpillar and a goose.

Watch the video below, and listen to their story.

                                            

Farfallina and Marcel by Holly Keller is a story of a goose and caterpillar who became friends.  They met on a rainy day,and  Farfallina,the caterpillar, was nibbling on a leaf.   Marcel noticed the nibbling caterpiller, and told Farfallina that she was eating his umbrella.  They began to have a conversation, and became friends. They decided to play hide and seek.  Farfallina could hide really well on the limb of a plant.  Marcel had a hard time finding Farfallina, but Farfallina could find Marcel quickly.  

Then, one day Farfallina climbed up a tree, and went to sleep. Marcel came by the tree everyday to find Farfallina.  He did not find her.  Marcel did not give up his search, and he looked for her each day. 

Then one day Marcel began to notice that his reflection began to change in the pond, and Farfallina began to awake.  She emerged from the cocoon, and wondered how long she had been in the tree.  She immediately began flying around looking for Marcel.  When Farfallina reached the pond, she saw a goose swimming.  She told the goose that she was looking for her friend.  Marcel agreed to help her, and offered her a ride on his back.  During the ride,  Farfallina began to tell the goose that she was looking for her friend Marcel.  Marcel was so excited to realize that Farfallina was the beautiful butterfly on his back.  He flapped his wings happily, and shouted that he was Marcel.  Both of the friends were happy to be reunited.  

Farfallina and  Marcel remained the best of friends.  They even flew south together when the leaves began to turn orange.  

This is a wonderful tale about metamorphosis and friendship, 

despite the life changes one faces.  A caterpillar and a gosling 

become friends, and play together every day. Then the caterpillar 

changes into a butterfly, and the gosling grew into a goose.  This 

book teaches young ones that animals go through changes. It also 

implies that people can change and grow over time, but still remain

friends.

This book is a wonderful text to use while teaching visualizing. Students can either listen to a read aloud, or participate in a shared reading of the text.  After reading, students should be asked questions about the sequence of the story.  Next, students should draw the sequence of the story on the story wheel.  Finally when the illustrations are finished, students can retell the story to their partner while using the story wheel.  

"Farfallina and Marcel would be a great read-aloud for younger

 children to accompany any science unit on life cycles. A great 

activity to go along with the book would be the life cycle of the 

butterfly foldable below.  In addition, I can do a mini-lesson on 

friendship, and what it means to be a true friend!" Cassandra Lewis

"I really like Farfallina and Marcel.  Visualizing and drawing the sequence of events on a story wheel helps students to confidently comprehend the text.  Teachers could also integrate this English Language Arts lesson plan with a Life Science lesson on the life cycle of a butterfly.  If students can draw the sequence of events of a story, they can also write about the story."  Heather Coleman  

 

                                                                                 

                                                                                                       

Source: http://reading.ecb.org/downloads/vis_lp_StoryWheel.pdf
http://reading.ecb.org/teacher/visualizing/visual_lessonplans.html

Making Inferences

How can inferring help us?
Remember, making inferences is "reading between the lines". Listen to the story below, and see if you can answer the inferential questions!

Train to Somewhere By: Eve Bunting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osG-22GvMhA

Inferential Questions:

What is Saint Christopher's?

Why did the children change into older clothes from their new clothes after boarding the train?

Why did Nora and Marianne want people to believe that they are sisters?

Why did some of the couples feel the muscles through their coat?

Why did the couple bring a puppy for Nora?

Why did Marianne keep the white feather?

Why did Marianne give Mrs. Book the white feather?

What do you think happened to Marianne's mother?

Train to Somewhere is a historical fiction story about Marianne and thirteen other children who boarded the "orphan train" in New York City.  The train traveled west, and made several stops along the way.  At each stop, couples waited to adopt a child. The orphans were chosen one-by-one until Marianne is the only remaining orphan.  Marianne felt alone and unwanted, both by her real mother and other families. She felt as if she is not pretty enough to be adopted. Finally, the train pulled into its final stop, a town called “Somewhere”.  Marianne realized her mother won’t be coming to get her, but an elderly couple takes her in as their own even though they were looking for a boy. She saw how Mr. and Mrs. Book cared for her.  Hopeful, Marianne began her new life with her new family.  

Train to Somewhere is appropriate older elementary students.  This text can be used to teach "making inferences" while students are studying the Great Plains and Westward Expansion in Social Studies.  An activity that will help student's answer the inferential questions above, would be completing the inferential chart.  The chart is divided into three columns that are labeled, "What the author tells me", "What I know", and "My Inference".  During the read-aloud, the teacher should pause while students write "What the author tells me" in their chart.  After reading Train to Somewhere, students complete the chart in their groups.  After the groups have finished, each group will present their inferences. 

An enrichment for this text would be to research the actual children that journeyed on the orphan train. Students can find the children's names and their stories by clicking on the link below.
http://orphantraindepot.org/orphan-train-rider-stories/


"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Train to Somewhere, and learning of the history of the orphan train.  Although the characters in this book are fictionalized, the text is based on actual events during 1888-1930.  Train to Somewhere resonances emotion for readers as they try to identify with the character's feelings.  This emotion provides a wonderful opportunity for readers to make inferences about the story.  I plan to definitely read this text to my future class." 
Heather Coleman 

" I truly enjoyed this story of a young orphan girl name Marianne. 

 I will use this book to teach making inferences by modeling for the

 students how they can use context clues.  Students will be able to see how they can the information from the text, and combine it with what they know already to make inferences. I will point out which facts came from the text, and which came from their background knowledge. In addition, I will use a graphic organizer or T-chart that will have three columns and labeled 'What the Author Tells Me', 'What I Know', and 'My Inference'. As we read I will stop at certain places in the book and have them say their inferences as I recorded their answers on the chart."**Cassandra

Source: http://www.tips-for-teachers.com/Inferencing_mini_lessons.htm          



                                                      

Have You Ever Worried?

Meet Wemberly the mouse.  She worries about several things.  Find out by watching Wemberly Worried By: Kevin Henkes

This video was found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtcgR3vD1_c

Wemberly Worried is a story about a young mouse that worried throughout the day.  She worried about big and little things.  She worried morning and night.  She worried about rubbing the ears off her stuffed rabbit, Petal.  Wemberly worried about the noise that came out of the radiator, and if the tree would fall in the back yard.  Wemberly worried so much, that her parents would tell her that she worried too much.  

Soon, Wemberly had something new to worry about.  School was about to start, and Wemberly's list of worries grew.  She worried,"What if I don't know anybody?  What if the room smells bad?  What if I hate the snack?  What if I have to cry?  What if I can't find the bathroom?"  All of these worries consumed Wemberly on the way to school her very first day.  Her parents tried to console her on their way to the school.  When Wemberly arrived, her teacher introduced her to another little mouse named Jewel.  Jewel was standing across the room with her stuffed cat in her arms.  Wemberly and Jewel looked at each other, and began to have a conversation.  By the end of the day, Wemberly and Jewel became friends, and Wemberly's list of worries was shortened.

Wemberly Worried is a book that all students can relate or make a connection to.  All students experience the first day of school, and the unknowns of new school year. This book is a wonderful text to teach "Making Connections".  After reading the text, the teacher can instruct the students on  how to make text-to-self connections by asking these questions: “When I read these words… it reminded me of…”or “When I saw the picture… it made me think…” The student's responses can be listed on a chart. Later, students can write two sentences, and answer one of the questions above.

Below is a picture of Logan and Vala the day they started a brand new school:

They both felt some of the same emotions that Wemberly felt.  Logan and Vala can make a connection to this text.  They remember their emotions and worries, and in turn identify with Wemberly.

Below is Vikeshia's story:

"I am Vikeshia, and this was my first day of school. I was very

nervous, and worried about my new teacher and friends.

When I arrived however, my teacher  introduced me to

another student name Kyah. She was also a student with a learning

disability like me.  Kyah was crying, because she did not want

 her mom to leave her. After going over to console her, we

became instant friends, and enjoyed our first day of school.

 We realized, like Wemberly, that school was fun, and there was no

 need to worry."

Wemberly Worried is a text that everyone can identify with.  This story provides a great way to teach and model a comprehension strategy called 'Making Connections'.  I have felt the emotions myself, when I began Georgia Southwestern State University.  My children also worried when they began their first day of their new school.  I try to remember that most of the things I worry about never happen.  A wise proverb says, 'Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' I also remind my children of the same thing just as Wemberly's parents." Heather Coleman

"As a teacher, I would use this story during the first week of school. I would explain to students about how they might worry, especially the first week of school. Beginning school can be difficult for some students.  After reading this story, I would have students brainstorm strategies to lower their anxiety." **Cassandra

Making Connections lesson plan source:

http://www.readinglady.com/mosaic/tools/Marisa'sSchemaMakingConnectionsLessons.pdf

U. S. Presidents From Our Past

This week let's explore the life of Franklin D. Roosevelt with the book Who Is Franklin Roosevelt? by: Margaret Frith.

First, let me answer the question from the title of this book. Franklin Roosevelt was the thirty-second President of the United States of America.  Who was Franklin Roosevelt? is a biography, and tells Franklin Roosevelt's life story from childhood to death.  Who was Franklin Roosevelt? divides major events of his life into chapters.  This book is written in a kid friendly text, and has several  illustrations.  Who was Franklin Roosevelt?  aligns well with third grade Social Studies standards, and can be a resource for teachers and students.

Click below to take a look inside the book!

 http://books.google.com/books?id=U-WBJ4hTIZcC&pg=PT1&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false

Who was Franklin Roosevelt? has a table of contents, timelines, maps, and a bibliography that features other books of the same topic that are suitable for children. This book takes an in depth look at Roosevelt's childhood, education, previous job experiences before Presidency, personal struggles and perseverance with polio, and his leadership through The Great Depression and World War II.  Who was Franklin Roosevelt? also describes the New Deal and his Fireside chats.  Also found in Who was Franklin Roosevelt? is how he meet his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt and their family.   

"I personally enjoyed reading this book.  I found the information engaging and interesting.  Throughout the book I saw illustrations that enriched the content of the text.   I would definitely use this book in a third grade classroom while teaching the Social Studies standard SS3H2.  The cover of the book displays a caricature of Franklin Roosevelt that is appealing to students. 

 My favorite quote from Who was Franklin Roosevelt? is from one of his fireside chats after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  He said, 'It will not only be a long war, it will be a hard war.  We are going to win the war, and we are going to win the peace that follows.'  This book personifies Roosevelt's leadership qualities, and how he inspired the Americans to work together to win World War II.  I think his inspiration helped the "Greatest Generation" become the greatest.

I also believe that Roosevelt's positive disposition inspired Americans.  Americans took notice of how Roosevelt overcame personal obstacles in his life (polio), and his positive attitude spread among Americans.  People really loved Franklin Roosevelt, and relied on his leadership. On the first page of Who was Franklin Roosevelt?, a soldier was quoted after learning of his death. The soldier said, 'I felt as if I knew him.  I felt as if he knew me- and I felt as if liked me.'  These words are a powerful testimony of the character, leadership, and Presidency of Franklin Roosevelt." Heather Coleman

"This book is an exciting biography of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and written in a way that young children can enjoy. I really like the timeline that is located in the back of the book, and a list of other books in this series.  Who was Franklin Roosevelt? is filled with information that can inspire students to never give up on their dreams. For example, despite the odds of battling polio, Franklin Roosevelt was still able to lead the country through the Great Depression and into World War II. In Chapter 6 Roosevelt quoted, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' During the Depression, Franklin was willing to experiment new ideas. If something did not work, he would try something else." Cassandra Lewis

To learn more about Franklin D. Roosevelt, follow this link to his Presidential Library and Museum. 
http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/

Third Grade Social Studies Standards:

SS3H2 The student will discuss the lives of Americans who expanded people’s 
rights and freedoms in a democracy. 
a.  Franklin D. Roosevelt 
(New Deal and World War II)
b. Explain social barriers, restrictions, and obstacles that these historical figures had 
to overcome and describe how they overcame them. 

Would You Like To Learn About Bugs?

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by: Jennifer Dussling

Do you like bugs?  Are you scared of bugs? You don't have to be afraid. They are only a danger to other insects.   In Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!, we learn about several insects, and how they survive.  

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! provides interesting facts and information about different kinds of bugs. It contains colorful photographs from the point of view of an insect.  Each insect has an unique hiding and hunting style that is described in Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! This book examines how the praying mantis hunts flies, and how the monarch butterfly is not bothered by other bugs and birds.  Some insects have glands that stink, and others can squirt acid, inject poison, and find safety in numbers.   Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! describes the uniqueness of insects. 

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! aligns well with life science standards in Kindergarten, 1st grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade.  Specific science standards can be found at the bottom of this page. 

"Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! is a wonderful trade book to read to students in a variety of grade levels while studying life science standards.  A great activity would be to read this book and a fiction counterpart, and instruct students to list similarities and differences of both books.  This activity could easily be integrated in English Language Arts and Science." Heather

"The pictures throughout the book are excellent with great details.  I really like how the book has, 'A Note to Parents' at the beginning of the book. Overall, this would be a great resource book to introduce a lesson on insects." Cassandra

Life Science Standards

SKL2: Students will compare the similarities and differences in groups of organisms. 

a. Explain the similarities and differences in animals (color, size, appearance, etc.). 

S1L1b: Students will investigate the characteristics and basic needs of plants and animals. 

b. Identify the basic needs of an animal.

S4L2: Students will identify factors that affect the survival or extinction of organisms such as adaptation, variation of behaviors 

 (hibernation) and external features (camouflage and protection). 

a. Identify external features of organisms that allow them to survive or reproduce better than other organisms that do not have these 

features. (e.g. camouflage, use of hibernation, protection, etc.) 

 S5L1: Students will classify organisms into groups and relate how they determined the groups with how and why scientists use 

classification. 

 a. Demonstrate how animals are sorted into groups (vertebrate and invertebrate) and how vertebrates are sorted into groups (fish, 

amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal).

Will You Choose To Accept This Mission?

Mission Addition By: Loreen Leedy

Mission Addition is a math content book that introduces addition facts to young students. Mission Addition makes addition fun in a literature format for young students.The setting of the book takes places in the classroom where Miss Prime is a creative math teacher.  She has her class playing detective by encouraging them to make their own addition problems throughout their day.  This is a great way to keep the students involved and engaged in learning. Students will be able to understand that math is all around them, and everywhere as illustrated in this book. Mission Addition describes different strategies used to solve addition problems. Adding big numbers, adding money, and recall of addition facts are explained in detail throughout the book. The book also introduces and defines math vocabulary words: addends, sum, plus and equal signs.

        

 Mission Addition is full of pictures and fun dialog between the characters that explain addition in a way that is easy to understand. It is an interactive book that shows students how addition can be used in "real world" situations, and how to set up an addition problem. Teachers can use this book to add fun and a literacy component to their addition lessons. Parents will also enjoy reading this book to their children to reinforce addition.  This will be a great book to introduce to kindergarten students!

Mission Addition can be integrated in a classroom during story time to reinforce previous addition lessons.  A great way to extend an addition lesson is to recreate what Miss Prime did with her students. Kindergartners would enjoy moving around, and adding objects within their classroom.  Teachers can also encourage students to use their addition skills at home.  Even though Mission Addition is a fantasy fiction book, it aligns well with the CCGPS.  MCCK.OA.1 Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.   

This is your mission, if you choose to accept it!  But remember, addition is not impossible!

A historical fiction book for all ages.

This week's book spotlight is on:

Sarah, Plain and Tall by: Patricia Maclachlan

Summary:

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a story about a family that lives on the prairie during the nineteenth century.  People traveled by train or by horse.  Communication was delivered by telegraph or by written letters.  During this time, it was not uncommon for men to put ads into newspapers to find a wife.  The father in this story did just that!   His wife died the day after she gave birth to a son named Caleb.  Caleb also has a big sister who named Anna.  Anna helped take care of her brother as an infant along with a housekeeper.  So, Jacob, Anna and Caleb are longing for a wife and mother to complete their family. 

One day, Jacob, the father, received a letter from Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton.  She informed the family that she was interested in Jacob's ad.  Sarah lived by the sea in Maine. Jacob, Anna, and Caleb wrote a letter to Sarah.  Caleb wanted to know if Sarah sings, and all about her cat Seal.  Anna wanted to know if she could braid hair and bake.  Sarah answered their letters, and decided to travel from Maine to the prairie to meet the family.  She told Jacob that she will be wearing a yellow bonnet, and she is plain and tall.  Her description of herself is the inspiration for the book's title.

Jacob, the father, picked up Sarah at the train station.  The children were so excited to meet her.  They waited all afternoon on their front porch to see the first sign of a wagon coming toward their home. 

 The children instantly fell in love with Sarah.  She taught Anna and Caleb about the sea and sea animals.  The children taught Sarah all about farm life on the prairie.  Caleb and Anna loved Sarah so much that they were afraid she would leave one day.  Sarah also loved this family, and decided to marry Jacob.  The next book in this series, Skylark, describes the wedding of Sarah and Jacob.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is classified as historical fiction.  The characters live during the 1800's.  The luxuries of the modern age were not available then.  For example, women could die from childbirth,whereas, now that would be far from likely.  

The characters in this story are appealing, because they touch the heart of readers by their pure desire for a mother, a wife, or a family. Anna, Caleb, and Jacob were very excited at the end of the book to find out that Sarah intended on marrying Jacob.  There is a happy ending, and anticipation to find out what is next for this family.  

The plot develops throughout the book.  Sarah enters the story as a stranger.  The book ends with her about to become a wife and step-mother. The conflict of the story is found in whether or not Sarah can adjust for the prairie life style.  Anna and Caleb's conflict is found in their worry of Sarah leaving the prairie to go back home to  her family in Maine.  The resolution is found when Sarah decided to stay and marry Jacob.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is told from Anna's point of view.  It is in a first person narrative.  Anna explains how she felt when her mother died, the day after Caleb was born.  It took Anna some to time to except Caleb while she was grieving her mother.  Anna also explains how she felt when Sarah came into her life, and when she decided to marry her father.  Anna also explains what each character says and does throughout the story.

"Sarah, Plain and Tall is a wonderful story full of excitement, adventure, love, and healing.  I would definitely include this book in my classroom.  This book would appeal to students between 3rd-5th grade.  Sarah, Plain and Tall could be integrated easily while teaching westward expansion, and life on the prairie."  Heather

"My opinion of this book is that it is an excellent book to read to young children, because it tells how hard life would be living out west long ago. The clothing reminded me so much of the movie “The Little House on the Prairie.” I also feel that Anna, Caleb, Papa, and Sarah all had to work hard to make their lives together successful and meaningful. They made up their own games, told their own stories, sing songs, and share in the work of the farm. The theme of sharing makes the book a positive reading experience for young children. This book is simple, yet full of meaning. I admire young Anna and Caleb for adjusting to the prairie life, and how they responded to the loss of a love one at a very young age." Cassandra

Learn more about Patricia Maclachlan here: