This blog was developed as a resource for teachers who are looking to incorporate high quality and award winning trade books into their social studies curriculum. I have compiled and cited various reviews on these books, and additionally have listed online resources that will help teachers use these books for instructional purposes.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Mouse Views: What the Class Pet Saw
Mouse Views: What the Class Pet Saw
Written and Illustrated by: Bruce McMillian
"Photographic puzzles follow an escaped pet mouse through a school while depicting such common school items as scissors, paper, books, and chalk. Readers are challenged to identify the objects as seen from the mouse's point of view."
Product Description
Labels:
1st grade,
geography and maps,
school
Me on the Map
Me on the Map
Written by: Joan Sweeney
Illustrated by: Annette Cable
"In this playful introduction to maps and geography, step by simple step, a young girl shows readers herself on a map of her room, her room on the map of her house, her house on the map of her street--all the way to her country on a map of the world. Once the reader is familiar with the maps, she demonstrates how readers can find their own country, state, and town--all the way back to their room--on each colorful map. Easy-to-read text, bright artwork, and charming details give children a lot to search for and will have them eager to help navigate on the next family vacation."
Product Description
Labels:
1st grade,
2nd grade,
geography and maps
As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps
As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps
Written by: Gail Hartman
Illustrated by: Harvey Stevenson
"Maps -- they help you get where you want to go. People use road maps to find their way. These maps show miles of highways that point out the right direction. But what about the crow? What kind of map does he use? Or the eagle, the rabbit, the horse, and the sea gull? What's on their maps?"
Publishers Description
Froggy Goes to School
Mouse's First Day of School
Mouse's First Day of School
Written by: Lauren Thompson
Illustrated by: Buket Erdogan
"This is a new "first" for mouse as he hides in a backpack and gleefully emerges into the brave new world of preschool. As in Mouse's First Halloween (2000), Mouse's First Valentine (2002), and Mouse's First Christmas (1999, all S & S), Thompson and Erdogan have created a spirited landscape of simple text overlaying vividly colored, richly textured, mouse-sized scenes of kid-familiar objects. The creature frolics among an assortment of childhood icons, from blocks and a toy car to tubes of paint and a juice box and snacks. Expressive and playful text with phrases such as "Thump, boom, bump a drum"; "Blinky, cuddly, curly dolls"; and "Squiggle, scribble, dot crayons" adds a bouncy beat. The concluding chalked message, "Welcome to school, Mouse!" will have young listeners eagerly anticipating their own first day."
School Library Journal Review
The Adventures of Snail at School
The Adventures of Snail at School
Written and Illustrated by: John Stadler
"He really does try to have a good time at school, but something strange happens every time he tries: The water fountain turns into a tidal wave. The fire extinguisher blasts him into space. The music baton becomes a magic wand! Is Snail really helpful? Maybe. Is he good at having adventures? Yes!"
Publishers Description
Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story About Bullying
Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story About Bullying
Written by: Becky Ray McCain
Illustrated by: Todd Leonardo
"Straightforward and simple, this story tells how one child found the courage to tell a teacher about Ray, who was being picked on and bullied by other kids in school. Faced with the fact that "nobody knows what to do" while Ray is bullied, the children sympathetic to him feel fear and confusion and can only hope that Ray will "fit in some day." Finally, after Ray misses a day of school and the bullies plot mean acts for his return, our narrator goes to a teacher. The children then invite Ray to play with them, and, with adult help, together they stand up to the bullies."
Publishers Description
Online Resources:
http://www.how-to-stop-bullying.com/bullyingvideos.html
http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/
David Goes To School
David Goes To School
Written and Illustrated by: David Shannon
"As David zips through his school, he discovers hat his least-favorite word, "no", is often spoken here: "NO, DAVID!" "No Yelling!" No pushing!" "No running in the halls!" This lighthearted companion to the Caldecott Honor book, NO, DAVID! Is an entertaining, laugh-out-loud romp from the beginning of class to the end of the day."
Publishers Description
Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=522
http://teachershare.scholastic.com/resources/93
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