I Love You, Mom by Iris Hiskey Arno - Teaching Ideas



I Love You, Mom is the perfect read aloud for the start of whatever Mother's Day activities you may have planned for your students. It introduces students to the different jobs that moms have and what the child understands about what their mom does. It focuses on how proud the kids are about their mom and the great work they do.

I usually review a book and give you tons of ideas for teaching all the skills and strategies for that particular book, but because of the way this book was written it really didn't lend itself to that kind of review. So I decided to use this book as the inspiration for the Mother's Day activities I created. Not only will your students think and write about their mom but they will practicing reading skills and strategies at the same time...PERFECT!

Here are the skills and strategies that I did come up with for the book.


Reading level: 2.9
Theme: Holiday, Mother's Day
Genre: Holiday

Suggested Vocabulary: opera, beautician, nimble, surgeon, operates, boast, trial lawyer

Reading skills and strategies:
  • characterization - describe your mom {looks like, feelings, thoughts, character}
  • classify & categorize - What are things moms are supposed to do and things kids are supposed to do.
  • compare & contrast - compare how you and your mom are the same and how you are different
  • fact & opinion - list some facts about your mom and list some things that are your opinions about your mom.
  • visualize - What your mom does that makes you proud of her.
Example of completed pages!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Activity-Packet
IT'S FREE!!
 Leave me a note to let me know if you use this!

This freebie was part of Manic Monday. Head on over there and check out all the goodies that you can get for free!


Happy reading!

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Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming - Teaching Ideas



This is a super cute book about Mr. McGreely and his garden. He has always wanted a garden so he finally decides to plant one. But to his dismay 3 pesky bunnies keep getting in and eating his vegetables. Have fun reading this Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! good tale about Mr. McGreely and the 3 sneaky bunnies.

This book offers many opportunities for teaching skills and strategies, listed below is everything I think you could use this book for. Take a look and hopefully I have given you the info or ideas you needed to help you plan.

Reading level: 2.6
Theme: spring, gardening, perseverance
Genre: animal stories


Suggested Vocabulary: by golly, hoed, sowed, gnawed, hurdle, trench, twitch

Reading skills and strategies:
  • asking questions - {possible questions at beginning} Why is the book called Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!? {possible questions in middle} I wonder why he never planted a garden till now? Why do the bunnies keep eating Mr. McGreely vegetables? What is a trench? Why doesn't Mr. McGreely just catch the bunnies instead? How come the bunnies couldn't get in the last time? {possible questions at end} Is Mr. McGreely happy at the end? How did the bunnies get in?
  • author's point of view - third person point of view
  • author's purpose - entertain{evidence} the author uses repetitive sentences, phrases and words like muncha, muncha, muncha. The author describes the bunnies is silly ways, like, "flop-ears" and "puff-tails". The illustrator drew the bunnies with shirts on. All of these things were done to entertain me.
  • beginning, middle, end - {most important event from beginning} Mr. McGreely planted a garden. {most important event from middle} the rabbits kept coming to the garden and eating the vegetables and Mr. McGreely kept getting mad. {most important event from end} Mr. McGreely thought he built the perfect wall to keep out the bunnies but they actually snuck into the garden in the basket that Mr. McGreely carried into the garden.
  • cause and effect - Why did Mr. McGreely want to have a garden? because he wanted to get his hands dirty and eat all the yummy vegetables. Why did he build a small wire fence around his garden? because the bunnies came in and ate his veggies. Why did Mr. McGreely build a tall wood wall? because the bunnies got in a second time. Why was Mr. McGreely furious? because the bunnies got in through the deep trench, over the wall and wire fence to eat his veggies.  Why did Mr. McGreely build such a high wall? because he wanted to keep the bunnies out once and for all. Why was Mr. McGreely so happy? because the bunnies couldn't get in the enormous wall. Why was Mr. McGreely not so happy at the end? because the bunnies snuck into the garden in the basket that Mr. McGreely carried into the garden.
  • characterization - describe Mr. McGreely, describe the bunnies {looks like, feelings, thoughts, character}
  • classify & categorize - categorize things that can grow in a garden and things that cannot.
  • compare & contrast - compare and contrast Mr. McGreely to the bunnies.
  • connections - {possible text-to-self connections} having your own garden. Having an animal eat your veggies from your garden. Trying to stop the animals from eating your veggies. {possible text-to-text connections} Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! can be connected to How Groundhog's Garden Grew by Lynne Cherry because in both books veggies are being stolen from a garden.
  • main idea & details - {main idea} Mr. McGreely wants to eat veggies from his garden {details} He plants a garden. He puts a fence, a wall, a trench and a castle around the garden to keep the bunnies out. Mr. McGreely picks the veggies from his garden and reaches in his basket to find something to eat.
  • plot - the turning point in the story is when Mr. McGreely builds the castle around his garden and the bunnies cannot get in.
  • problem & solution - {problem} Mr. McGreely wants a garden but the bunnies keep eating his veggies. {solution} Mr. McGreely builds a series of fences and walls to keep the bunnies out, and the last one finally works...sort of.
  • sequencing - Mr. McGreely plants a garden. The bunnies come and eat from his garden. Mr. McGreely puts up a wire fence. The bunnies hop over the wire fence. Mr. McGreely builds a wall. The bunnies tunnel under the wall. Mr. McGreely digs a trench. The bunnies swim through the trench. Mr. McGreely builds a castle around his garden. The bunnies can't get in. Mr. McGreely climbs into his garden and picks some veggies. He reaches into the basket to get something to eat. He finds the bunnies in his basket eating his carrots!
  • story elements - list title, author, character's, setting, beginning, middle, end, or problem & solution.
  • strong thought - students may have many strong thoughts throughout the story as they see the bunnies sitting and watching Mr. McGreely build his fences.
  • summarize - {someone}Mr. McGreely {wanted}wanted a garden {but} but the bunnies kept eating his veggies {so} so he built a series of walls and trenches to keep them out. {then}He was {finally}finally successful with the last castle, until he climbed into the garden with the bunnies in his basket...those sneaky bunnies!

I love this book so much and my daughter created such cute art for it I just had to make a teaching packet to go with it. Below is a little preview of what is included.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Activity-Packet-inspired-by-Muncha-Muncha-Muncha-by-Candace-Fleming



Happy reading!

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Top 10 Summer Vacation or Camping Books

Is it too early to start thinking about summer? It's not, if you are wanting to have a few read alouds or lessons about summer vacations or going to summer camp. As I have been going through my books looking for my next book reviews I have come across some of my favorite "summer camp" or "summer vacation" books. So here is my

Top 10 list of camping/vacation favorites {in no particular order}.

1. Go Go America by Dan Yaccaino
This is a fact filled book that takes you and the Farley Family state to state learning about different, bizarre and interesting facts, laws and contests in each state.

2. How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
This is an imaginative tale about a boy and his rootin, tootin summer vacation.

3. A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
All Mr. Magee wants to do is go camping but when a hungry bear enters his campsite Mr. Magee's trip gets away from him.

4. The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing
Will this family remember everything they need for their vacation?

5. Froggy Goes to Camp by Jonathan London
Froggy does a lot of fun things at camp, but is he really having a good time?

6. Arthur's Family Vacation by Marc Brown
Will Arthur's vacation be ruined because of all the rain, or will Arthur figure out how to make it fun?

7. Beach Day by Karen Roosa
This book delivers a perfect day at the beach.

8. Curious George Goes Camping by Margret Rey
As it is with George, every time he tries to be helpful things go wrong, and when he meets a new friend the monkey business begins.

9. Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
This is a heartwarming book about a father-and-son camping trip and despite the few mishaps they have a wonderful time.

10. When We Go Camping by Margriet Ruurs
This is a beautiful book about camping and all the camping memories a family makes.

I hope there is something here that peeks your interest, or at least reminds you of the books you have hiding in your library. Only 42 more days till summer........




Charity Preston over at The Organized Classroom Blog is having a Five Star Blogger Challenge. There is a list of 5 important blogging rules/ideas/tips/suggestions/must do's that will qualify you to become a 5 Star Blogger, do you have what it takes? The only thing I had to do to qualify was write this blog post...yeah me!!  Head on over to The OC Blog and link on up! See you there!


5-Star Blogger
Happy teaching!

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Max by Bob Graham - Teaching Ideas


After a 2 week spring break it is time to get back to work. I hope you all enjoyed your time off as much as I did mine! Now to get to our featured book, Max by Bob Graham. This story is about a superhero that is just as ordinary as everyone else. Max can't fly, no matter how much his parents try to get him too he just can't. One day a little bird is about to fall out of a tree. Max sees this little bird and rushes down the stairs to try to catch him, but to his {and his parents} surprise he flew right up to save him. Now Max is not ordinary anymore, not only can he fly, but he is called the small hero because he saves all the small creatures that are in danger!

If you wish to use this story for more than just a read aloud, here is a bit more information that should help you plan.


Theme: relationships, new life experiences
Genre: fiction

Suggested Vocabulary: legendary, phantom, ordinary, exploits, hovering

Reading skills and strategies:
  • asking questions - {possible questions before reading} - What is the story about? Which one is Max? {possible questions during reading} - What does legendary mean? How come Max did not fly? Why does Max wear those clothes to school? Why is Max running out of the house? How come Max was finally able to fly? How come Max can't stay in his seat? Why did they call him a small hero?  What are quiet deeds?
  • author's point of view - 3rd person point of view
  • author's purpose - entertain {evidence} - they lived in a lightning bolt house, Max was floating in his seat at school and Max flew his friends around at school. All these things are entertaining to see or read about.
  • beginning, middle, end - {most important event from beginning} Max could walk and talk early but he couldn't fly. {most important event from middle} everyone kept asking and wondering why Max could not fly. {most important event from end} Max saw that a baby bird was going to fall out of it's nest so he flew to save it.
  • cause and effect - Why did his parents bounce him and bump him? because they wanted him to fly. Why would Max not play with the parakeet?  because Max couldn't fly. When granddad was younger why would he get in trouble? because he would leave fingerprints on the ceiling lamp. Why did Max wear those clothes to school? because he was a superhero. Why did Max start to fly? because he needed to save a bird. Why was Max's mom so proud? because he could finally fly. Why was Max "not quite ordinary" because he could fly. Why was Max called the small hero? because he saved small things.
  • characterization - describe Max {his feelings, thoughts, looks, character}
  • classify & categorize - classify and categorize things that would make someone a superhero and a regular ordinary hero {police officer, firefighter, etc}
  • compare & contrast - there is a line in the book that says, "Everyone's different in some way, aren't they?" compare how you and a friend are the same and different.
  • drawing conclusions & inferencing - Why do you think it took so long for Max to fly? {text clues} Max started flying when a little bird was in trouble. {what I know} I know that sometimes it is hard for me to do something if there is not a reason to do it. {my conclusion} I think it took Max so long to fly because there was no reason for him to fly until the bird needed him.
  • plot - the turning point of the story is when Max sees a bird that is going to fall out of his nest.
  • predict - What do you think the story is going to be about? How come Max can't fly? Do you think Max will ever fly? When do you think he will fly? Why do you think Max is running down the stairs and out of the house?
  • problem & solution - {problem} Max is a superhero and he can't fly. {solution} Max finally sees something that needs saving so he flies to the rescue.
  • sequencing - Max was born a superhero. Max walked and talked early. Max's parents tried to get him to fly. Max still couldn't fly. Max went to school and his friends asked why he couldn't fly. Max sees a bird about to fall out of it's nest. Max flies to save the bird. Max's mother is very proud. Max flies his friends around at school. Max is called the small hero because he saves small things.
  • story elements - list title, author, characters, setting, theme, genre, beginning, middle, end or problem and solution.
  • summarize - {someone}Max's parents {wanted} wanted him to fly {but} but he couldn't {so} so they kept trying to get him to practice. {then} Then one day Max saw a little bird about to fall out of it's nest {finally}which finally made him fly.
Here is a story map for you to use with this book. Please let me know if you download it. So many times I post freebies without knowing if anyone is actually using them. Thank you in advance for taking the time to leave me a comment!!

TO DOWNLOAD CLICK ON THE PICTURE

Happy reading!

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Mr. Fine Porcupine by Fanny Joly - Teaching Ideas


How would you feel if you came to town and everyone around you would scream and run away? If you said sad, then that is exactly how Mr. Fine, Porcupine was feeling. His hair was so big and so sharp everyone was afraid to be his friend. Mr. Fine, Porcupine was so lonely he decided that the best thing to do was to change his hair so people wouldn't be afraid to be around him. He sprayed it, patted it and covered it but nothing worked, his hair just kept getting in the way. Then finally, on a lonely day, he decided to go to the park. As he was walking around he noticed the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and the best part was, she didn't run away! They walked and they talked and they fell in love. Mr. Fine, Porcupine learned that it doesn't matter what you look like "someone will love you for just being you"!

I hope you have and use this book as one of your read alouds, it has a great message and it is really fun to read because it is written in rhyme.

The following information will help you with your lesson planning.

Reading level: 2.5
Theme: feelings, feelings/emotions (self-esteem, pride, confidence)
Genre: fiction

Suggested Vocabulary: perk, divine, ten-speed, prickly, quills, abide, distress, kink, lark, divine

Reading skills and strategies:
  • asking questions - {possible questions before} Why is he called Mr. Fine? Why is he reading the paper? {possible questions during} Why would the people scream and holler? What is the plastic cap for? Why is porcupine covering his hair with fruit? What happened to the birds? {possible questions after} Did they get married?
  • author's point of view - first person point of view
  • author's purpose - entertain - silly pictures, written in rhyme
  • beginning, middle, end - {MOST important event from the beginning} Mr. Fine Porcupine goes to town and the towns people holler and scream and run away. {MOST important event from the middle} Mr. Fine Porcupine does everything to try to cover his hair, he sprays it, puts a cap on and tries to cover it with fruit. {the most important event from the end} Mr. Fine Porcupine meets a girl porcupine and they fall in love!
  • cause and effect - Why do the towns people run away when Mr. Fine Porcupine comes to town? because they are afraid of his hair. Why did the boy at the park cry? because his bubbles landed on Mr. Fine Porcupine's hair and popped. Why did Mr. Fine Porcupine try to smooth his hair? because he thought he was in everyone's way. Why did Mr. Fine Porcupine buy a cap? he wanted to try to hide his locks. Why did the birds get plucked bare? because they got too close to Mr. Fine Porcupine's hair. Why did Mr. Fine Porcupine get happy at the park? because he saw someone just like him, a girl porcupine.
  • characterization - write all you know about Mr. Fine Porcupine {looks, feelings, the kind of person he is}
  • classify & categorize - list all the things that people do to try to fit in or be accepted and things that people do to be an individual or stand out from the crowd {example - Mr. Fine Porcupine tried to straighten his hair to be accepted where as Mrs. Fine Porcupine left her hair as is}
  • compare & contrast - compare and contrast what makes you and your friend the same and different.
  • connections - {possible connections} feeling left out, not having any friends, feeling like you are different, trying to change to fit in, finding a best friend.
  • drawing conclusions/inferencing - Why is Mr. Fine Porcupine trying to change his hair? {clues from the story} everyone runs away from him. He doesn't have any friends to play with. {what I know} when people won't be my friend I think there is something wrong with me so I figure out what I can do to change it. {my conclusion} I think Mr. Fine Porcupine is trying to change his hair because he wants to have friends that will play with him and if he changes his hair he thinks that will happen.
  • plot - the turning point in the story is when Mr. Fine Porcupine decides to go to the park one more time and he sees a fine looking porcupine.
  • predict - What will Mr. Fine Porcupine do to his problem hair? What will happen to the bubbles? What is going to happen when Mr. Fine Porcupine puts on a plastic cap? Will the fruit on the ends of his hair work? What do you think Mr. Fine Porcupine's biggest, bestest, most prickly surprise is?
  • problem & solution - {problem} Mr. Fine Porcupine is feeling lonely and sad because of the way he looks. {solution}He tries to change his look but that doesn't work. He soon finds that he doesn't have to change his look because there is someone out there that likes him for just who he is.
  • sequencing - Mr. Fine, Porcupine introduces himself and his story. He rides his bike to town and they all scream and run away. Mr. Fine, Porcupine goes to the park and his hair pops a boy's bubbles. Mr. Fine, Porcupine tries to straighten and shrink his hair. He tries to wear a plastic cap but his hair pops right through it. Mr. Fine, Porcupine decides to put fruit on the tips of his hair but then the birds came and ate the fruit! Mr. Fine, Porcupine decides to go to the park one more time. He sees a very fine porcupine. The two porcupines sit on a swing and talk for awhile. She asked Mr. Fine, Porcupine to be his valentine and he said YES! Mr. Fine, Porcupine marries his valentine, Mrs. Fine.
  • story elements - list title, author, genre, theme, setting, characters, beginning, middle & end, or problem/solution.
  • summarize - {someone}Mr. Fine, Porcupine {wanted} wanted to have friends {but}his hair was making it difficult {so}he tried to straighten it, cover it even disguise it with fruit {then} he saw the most beautiful porcupine in the world and {finally} he was lonely no more!

I have created an activity packet to go with this book. It includes a characterization, compare & contrast, problem & solution and a classify & categorize worksheet, as well as a rhyming and place value set of Mr. Fine, Porcupine cards and recording sheets. Below is a preview of what is included.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Activities-inspired-by-Mr-Fine-Porcupine-by-Fanny-Joly



Happy reading!

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