Book Review Tuesday - Sam and the Lucky Money

I am currently teaching the strategy of using context clues to figure out unknown words with my 4th and 5th graders. I have chosen this book to practice our strategies. There are several words that children may not know but can be figured out with the use of context clues. I have created a graphic organizer for students to use. See my lesson plan here.

Book Review Tuesday - My Name Is Yoon

Book Review Tuesday - Salt in His Shoes

Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan with Roslyn M. Jordan

Grade Levels 1-5

This book is a story is written by Deloris Jordan, the mother of basketball legend Michael Jordan. This is inspiring tale tells of Michael Jordan and his determination to be a great player. The book is a great example of the importance of hard work and perseverance. This book is a story is written by Deloris Jordan, the mother of basketball legend Michael Jordan.

Synopsis:

As a child, Michael wanted to play basketball with his brother and their friends but they said that he was too little. He wasn't as tall as the other boys he was playing with and worried that he would never be tall enough to be a good basketball player. Michael's mom told him that salt in his shoes and a prayer before bed would help him grow taller! He was determined to be a great basketball player and practiced every day.  Michael continued praying and putting salt in his shoes but he still hadn't grown as tall as he wanted. Michael's dad reassured him that being taller may help a little bit but not as much as practice, determination and giving your best will!"

How to use this book:

1) Teaching character traits: determination, perseverance, patience and hard work
2) Comparing texts - a non-fiction biography of Michael Jordan and this story
3) Mid-year check-in for Hopes and Dreams

Mid-year Check-in for Hopes and Dreams

I have used this book for a midyear check-in with my students about their Hopes and Dreams. In the beginning of the school year, I take students through the process of setting their hope and dream for the school year. After we come back from winter break, I like to check-in on our goals. I read this story aloud and we talk about how Michael Jordan reached his goal at the end of the book. We identify the steps that Michael took to reach his goal - that he practiced every day, that he was patient and worked hard, etc.

We then reflect on our hopes and dreams from the beginning of the school year and think about what steps we need to take to reach our own goals. I have them create a bookmark with two realistic steps that they can take to accomplish their goals. You can download the bookmarks here.

Book Review Tuesday - When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry

When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry... By Molly Bang

Grade Level K-2

When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry is a brilliant book that demonstrates the deep emotions that our students have. The illustrations in this book are fantastic. The use of color allows even non-readers to feel the emotion deep in their hearts. Sophie is a very relatable character, even as an adult I can relate to the anger she feels. 

Synopsis: 

Sophie is busy playing when her sister cuts in and tries to take her stuffed animal. "My turn" her sister says, "NO! "she shouts! When her sister grabs the toy, she falls down and feels very angry. She starts to throw a tantrum with kicking and screaming. She feels like a volcano ready to explode. Then she runs to a calm place outside in the trees overlooking water. She starts to notice things around her outside. She is calmed by the "wide world" and returns home to her mom and sister. She is calm and everything is okay. 

How to use this book:

- Validate feelings, allow students to connect to the deep emotions in the story

- Use it to talk about how to calm yourself down

- Teach empathy, how is Sophie feeling in this book?

Or my favorite.., introducing "Take a Break."

You can download my full lesson plan here.

Intro to "Take a Break"

I ask students to brainstorm a place where they feel calm. I use the example that it helps me to calm down when I sit under a blanket on my couch. We think of a lot of ideas together, maybe even making a chart with all of the ideas. I have seen students say their bed, outside on the playground, reading a book in a comfy chair, etc. 

After we have an exhaustive list of ideas. I give students time to draw a picture of that place. I invite them to draw as many details as they can about that place.  Once they have completed their drawings, I explain that we can't always go to those places to help us calm down, but we can think of the pictures in our mind.  I take the pictures that they have drawn and make a class book. I call the book "Our Calm Place" and put it next to the Take a Break spot.  I let students use it as a tool to help them calm down, they can find their own or look at other classmates calm spaces. 

I always put this picture of Sophie, looking so calm in her Beech tree, on the front cover. It is a useful visual reminder of finding a calm place in their mind.