Fables

Lobel, A. (1981). Fables. Harper Collins: New York.

Traditional/Folk Literature
Caldecott Award Winner

Fables by Arnold Lobel is a book that is filled with fables from cover-to-cover. Each of the fables in the book teaches a valuable lesson that can be discussed and/or learned from. Students find this book captivating because it includes many characteristics, such as personified animals, that make it entertaining and larger than life.


This book is a MUST HAVE for all teachers. Not only is it a book full of fables, it is a book full of running record, fluency, and comprehension assessments. Each fable is only a page long, therefore teachers can meet with small groups of students to assess them while they read. Questions can be asked after reading in order to see if students comprehended the plot and the lesson of the fable they read. When preparing for the 3rd grade EOG, it would be beneficial for students to pinpoint the main characters, the problem, and the solution of these fables.

Holes

Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux: New York.

Realistic Fiction
Chapter Book
Film

Holes is/was my favorite book from my childhood. I personally own 3 copies and have read it multiple times. Holes follows a boy named Stanley Yelnats who believes he is affected by a family curse and ends up in a detention center (Camp Green Lake) for "stealing" a pair of shoes. Juveniles at this camp dig holes all day in order to "build character". It is determined that the Warden of the camp actually makes the kids dig holes because he is looking for a buried treasure. Stanley and his new friend, Zero, go looking for the treasure on a mountain and eat onions in a field to curb their hunger. Upon finally finding the treasure, the boys find themselves face to face with yellow spotted lizards (venomous lizards). The lizards do not attack the boys because of the onion odor they are producing. Finally, Stanley is released from Camp Green Lake and leaves with treasure that belonged to his great-great-grandfather.

When I was in elementary school, my 3rd grade teacher used this novel for a read-aloud. She would read a chapter everyday and ask us to predict what we thought was going to happen next. We would confirm or revise these predictions daily.
I also read this book in 5th grade and proceeded to watch the movie version, also. For a project, I made a Venn Diagram comparing the book to the movie on a piece of poster board. Both of these activities would be fun and effective ways to use this novel.

George Washington: Our First President

Jackson, C. (2000). George Washington: Our 1st President. Scholastic: New York.

Historical Fiction

Just as one might assume, George Washington: Our First President describes the life of Mr. Washington and gives the history of his presidency in a "kid-friendly" way. Though most of the information is factual, I would not label this book nonfiction due to the fact that it is told in a story form that is easy for children to understand.

This book is an easier read, but I feel it is important to include books in 3-5 classrooms that are "easy" reads in order to meet the needs of struggling readers. I have observed that students have a harder time reading historical books because it is harder to relate to, yet this book is broken down in a way that makes it a smooth and fun read for students. I would use this book before celebrating President's Day in order to inform my students about the man who essentially started it all. I would even use this book during a social studies unit when learning about our nation's presidents.

Thunder Cake

Polacco, P. (1990). Thunder Cake. The Putnam and Grosset Group: New York.

Realistic Fiction

Throughout the duration of this blogging assignment, I have fallen so in love with the books of Patricia Polacco. They are realistic, funny, and are easy to relate to. I have read many of her books while completing this project, and Thunder Cake was one of my favorites. This story addresses Patricia Polacco's fear of thunderstorms when she was growing up in Michigan. Thunder Cake tells the story of how Patricia's grandmother helped her conquer her fear of thunderstorms by encouraging her to go out during the storm to collect ingredients for Thunder Cake: the perfect recipe for a rainy day. Patricia's grandmother succeeded in calming Patricia's fear of thunderstorms and it is made evident when Patricia welcomes a thunderstorm with a warm slice of Thunder Cake.

Not only is this book a must-have in a classroom library, it would be a wonderful book to use in a morning meeting or just for a fun read. Students can discuss what they are scared of and how they have conquered their fears. Discussions such as these can bring the class closer together and create a positive sense of classroom community.

Hansel and Gretel

Rylant, C. (2008). Hansel and Gretel. Hyperion Books for Children: New York.

Folk Literature

Retold by Cynthia Rylant, Hansel and Gretel is a classic Grimm Brothers tale that is a prime example of folk literature. Siblings, Hansel and Gretel, lived with their father and stepmother. The family was very poor and the mean stepmother plotted to get rid of the children. Hansel and Gretel played along with their stepmother's plan to leave them in the woods, but they left a trail of bread crumbs behind in order to be able to re-trace their steps back home. The children stumble upon a house made of candy and a witch who promises them a life that includes everything they did not have back home. However, Hansel and Gretel actually put themselves in a house made of candy with a witch who plans on having them for dinner. Read to find out what happens to this famous brother and sister duo.

This book would be great to have in a classroom library. It also would be a terrific book to use when teaching a mini-lesson on making predictions while reading.

Italy

Petersen, Christine and David. (2001). Italy. Children's Press: Canada.

Nonfiction
Chapter Book

Italy is a nonfiction book about, well, Italy! This book will provide students with information on the land and population of Italy, early Italian history, The Roman Catholic Church, and how people live in Italy today.

This book is an example of a book that children can read so that teachers can take running records, as well as conduct fluency and comprehension tests. It can also be used when introducing students to nonfiction literature. Students can use post-it notes to label parts of the book that make it a nonfiction work.

Rumpelstiltskin

Zelinsky, P. (1986). Rumpelstiltskin. Penguin Books: New York

Folk Literature
Caldecott Honor

Paul Zelinsky brings this popular Grimm Brother's tale to life through his vivid illustrations. Rumpelstiltskin is a tale about a miller's daughter who is locked in a room spinning straw into gold for the king. A little man who is rather odd agrees to help the miller's daughter spin straw in exchange for her first-born child.

This tale would be great to use when introducing students to different types of literature. Rumpelstiltskin is a prime example of folk literature and would also be useful when discussing medieval times or alchemy.