Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes

 

Story by Eric Litwin
Art by James Dean

Pete the Cat is a really cool cat who does not sweat the small stuff. He walks through the town with his favorite white shoes and encounters all types of mess that discolor his shoes. He still strides with a song and his head held high. 

I love My White Shoes fits into the fantasy category because we know that although cats exist, they are not blue and do not wear shoes and certainly do not sing songs. 

The illustrations are fun and vibrant watercolor paintings.

Here is a video that showcases Pete the Cat and his song:

Motivational Activities

Allow the students to see book read via the YouTube video. This activity will stimulate both the visual and auditory senses while taking the non-traditional approach to reading a book. 

Paint the white shoes

1. Each student will paint a picture of white shoes.
2. After the shoes dry, the colors that we discovered in the book will be splattered on the shoes. 

This activity will allow young children to discover colors in an artistic way.

Reader Response Questions

1. What would you do if your favorite shoes got mud on them?
2. Is it easier to stay calm in tough situations or get angry? 

I believe this book reinforces the comprehension of colors and to stay calm in tough situations. Children will absolutely adore this book!  

Reference

 Litwin, E., & Dean, J. (2010). Pete the cat: I love my white shoes. New York: Harper. 

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale is a beautifully written biography of Florence Nightingale, the woman who has revolutionized healthcare as we know it with her tireless service to army soldiers and cleanliness within hospital settings. Born to wealthy parents, Florence decided that she would become a nurse and devote her life to the wellbeing of others. She has set the stage for the common practices used in the healthcare system. 

This book is categorized as a biography because it is written about Florence Nightingale including factual information about her life.

About the Author 

Demi photographed with her husband Tze-si "Jesse" Huang

I found Demi strikingly interesting because she has written and illustrated over 130 best selling children's books! I also thought it was interesting that most of her books are only signed Demi when her actual name is Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt. Alot of Demi's books focus on various religions and cultures. 

Motivational Activities

Create a helping hand wreath

1. Students will trace their hands on construction paper of various colors and cut their traced hands out.
2. Each student will write a phrase that can help others on their hand and sign their name.
3. Each student will take turns pasting the hands together in a circle to complete the wreath. 

It should look similar to this:

 This activity will help students to respect others by putting the needs of others before their own.  

Explore the reasons why we should help others

1. Students will design pictures for gifts to children in the local hospital and send those picture to the hospital. 
2. Students will also have a round table discussion about why we should help others in need.

Reader Response Questions

1. Why do think Florence Nightingale gave up her life as a wealthy person to help others?
2. How can you be of service to others?

References

 Demi author biography on Wisdom Tales Press.com. (n.d.).

 Retrieved October 3, 2014. 

Florence Nightingale. (2014). Henry Holt and. 

The Year of Billy Miller

by Kevin Henkes

The Year of Billy Miller is focused on a new 2nd grader, Billy Miller. The book takes the reader on a journey through the life and struggles of a 7 year old and how he overcomes such obstacles. Billy is trying to figure out how he can become more mature in his actions, more considerate with his feelings and more likeable to his 2nd grade teacher. All of Billy's feelings and actions seem extremely relatable to 7 year old boys.  

The Year of Billy Miller fits into the realistic fiction genre because the story is relatable and can happen in the real world.

 

Motivational Activities

Fill out a realistic fiction chart

1. Students will fill out the chart below to help enhance their understanding of the realistic fiction genre.

Make a bookmark for Billy Miller

1. Use a thin strip of construction paper cut into a rectangle (about 2 inches wide and 7 inches long.
2. Attach standard white paper with glue to both sides of the construction. Make sure that the white paper is cut to the same dimensions as the construction paper. 
3. Each student will decorate his/her bookmark with crayons, markers, glitter and stickers of their choice. 

Reader Response Questions  

1. How would you deal with your little sister if you were Billy Miller? 
2. How did you prepare for 2nd grade? Were you nervous? Did you start a new school that year?

More books by Kevin Henkes Owen, Penny and Her Marble, Lilly's Big Day along with a host of others.

References

 Henkes, K. (2013). The year of Billy Miller. Harpercollins Childrens Books. 

 Kim's Korner for Teacher Talk. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2014. 

Jumanji

 by Chris Van Allsburg

Jumanji is an action packed fantasy about two children, Peter and Judy who are bored and decide to find something entertaining to do while their parents are gone. They find a thin box that they discover is the game Jumanji. The game takes them on an unbelievable journey with larger than life animals who just happen to be real animals! 

Jumanji is categorized as a fantasy book because the game comes to life with animals in way that could not really happen. 

The illustrations enhance the story's characterization and events with great grey scale sketches throughout the book. 

Motivational Activities

Recreate the Jumanji game board with instructions and rules.

1. Using a large piece of cardboard, construction paper, scissors, glue sticks and a picture of the game board (google search) 
2. Cut construction paper into small rectangles. Be sure to use more than one color.
3. Place the rectangles into a large s-shape using glue to adhere the rectangles to the cardboard. This will be the game board.
4. Write instructions and rules on two standard white pieces of paper. Each student will get to contribute to the rules and the instruction. 

Rewrite the ending of the book

1. Each student will rewrite the end of the story in a way that is consistent with the author's original ending.
2. Students will be asked to make the ending creative and eventful.  

Reader Response Questions 

1. If you could change the ending of this book, what would you do? Why?
2. What makes you wonder about this book?

In addition to Jumanji the book, Jumanji was made into a film in 1996. This film features actors such as Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Allen Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde and Bebe Neuwirth. 

I believe Jumanji is a wonderful read for children and adults alike. This book encompasses the fantasy world with great text and pictures that guide the reader into a unknown world which just turns out to be an amazing jungle.

References

 Allsburg, C., & Williams, R. (2011). Jumanji (30th anniversary ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

 Galda, L., & Cullinan, B. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

 Jumanji. (2014, March 10). Retrieved October 1, 2014. 

It's Not the Stork!

Written by Robie H. Harris and Illustrated By Michael Emberley

It's Not the Stork is a nonfiction picture book that explores the human body describing the similarities and differences between the male and female body. This book answers some of the many questions that young children have about their bodies and explains where babies originate. 

It's Not the Stork fits into the nonfiction genre because it is an informational book that uses facts to explain its topic. 

Michael Emberley does an amazing job of capturing a realistic view of anatomy in a colorful yet, kid friendly way.

Motivational Activities

*Note* Because there is information within this book that may make parents a little uncomfortable, ask parents first via permission slips if they (parents) are comfortable with the teacher reading a book explaining body parts in a kid friendly but, accurate way.

Helping students recount the story through a story pyramid  

1. Have each student summarize the story so that all of the events build upon one another.
2. Ask the questions: What happened first? Next? 
3. Teacher will aid students with the placement of ideas on the board or poster board to create a visual aid in the shape of a pyramid

Encourage a round table discussion about differences between boys and girls 

1. Students will sit in a circle and identify what makes girls and boys different.

This activity will help students learn to respect each other and the differences that make them both unique and special in an environment that is safe, welcoming and loving.

Reader Response Questions

1. Did you learn anything new about your body that you would like to share? 
2. Do you think that It's Not the Stork should be a book that you read with parents?
3. Do you have any unanswered questions? 

If you enjoyed reading It's Not the Stork, Robie H. Harris has other books that address similar topics with more detailed information for older children. Try It’s Perfectly Normal and It’s So Amazing. 

 

References

Building World Knowledge: Motivating Children to Read and Enjoy Informational Text. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2014. 

 Harris, R., & Emberley, M. (2008). It's not the stork!: A book about girls, boys, babies, bodies, families, and friends. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press. 

 Robie H. Harris, Children's Book Author. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2014. 

Doctor De Soto

 

Written and Illustrated by William Steig
 

Doctor De Soto is a fantasy picture book which tells the story of a mouse, Dr. De Soto who is a dentist to animals. He works closely with his wife and assistant, Mrs. De Soto who decide to take a patient who is very harmful to mice, a fox. The fox intends to eat the De Soto's but, they have something for him. They remove a tooth and glue  the fox's teeth together to save themselves. 

Doctor De Soto fits into the fantasy genre because its characters are animals that can talk and perform human tasks which could never exist in real life. The illustrations are colorful water color paintings with straight, fine lines that enhance the story. 

 

Motivational Activities 

Create a Postcard from the De Soto's. Think about where mice would travel.

1. Use construction paper cut into 5x8 squares
2. Decorate the postcards with pictures of the De Soto's enjoying a vacation. Include phrases that you think the characters would say. Also include who these postcards would be sent to (pigs, cows, rats, ect.)

Compare and Contrast Mr. De Soto and the fox

1. Create a poster board divided in half with one character on each side.
2. Divide the poster board further into four sections with the upper half comparing the characters and the lower half contrasting the characters. 
3. Allow each student to contribute to each character and section

Reader Response Questions

1. What character would you like to be in this book? Why?
2. Are there many differences between the main characters in the book? 
3. Why did Dr. De Soto decide not to accept All patients? Who did theses patients include? 

Doctor De Soto is sure to bring a smile to any child's face with the delightful way in which the De Soto's care for the fox's tooth pain and outsmart him at the same time. Children will definitely want to re-read over and over again!

References

 Steig, W. (2010). Doctor De Soto. New York: Square Fish. 

  

 

The House of the Scorpion

The House of the Scorpion is thrilling novel written by Nancy Farmer about a young boy Matteo (Matt) and his journey through life as a clone of a drug lord, El Patron who's intends to use Matt's organs for himself. El Patron is 148 years old and is ill. Matt falls in love with Maria but, is forced to leave his home in Opium (Mexico) when El Patron dies of a heart attack and is treated as an outcast by the rest of the Alacran family. Matt joins a group after his departure where he is eventually welcomed and regarded as a leader.

The House of the Scorpion is a Science Fiction novel because it includes futuristic outcomes to scientific principles and physical laws.

*Motivational Activities*

Think about the idea of cloning someone in your own image and creating "eejits" (humans with computer chips implanted in their brains) 

1. Recreate either a clone of yourself or an eejit using computer enhanced pictures or drawing them yourself.

Reader Response Questions

1. How close do you think today's scientist are to recreating clones? 
2. Do you think that computer chips used to control human function exist? 

Create a Group PowerPoint Presentation about the book 

1. Gather ideas about the book such as the main characters, genre, storyline summary and conclusion.
2. Include pictures that you think represent the main characters and major events in the story.
3. Present your presentation to your fellow classmates

Reader Response Question 

1. What did you enjoy most about The House of the Scorpion? Why? 
2. What questions about the book do you think that the author left unanswered? 

About Nancy Farmer

Nancy Farmer is an American children's and young adult author. She wrote three Newbery Award wining books and has won the U.S. National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature for The House of the Scorpion. 

The sequel entitled The Lord of Opium may be a reader's next choice from this author. 

References

 Farmer, N. (2004). The house of the scorpion. New York: Simon Pulse. 

 Nancy Farmer. (2014, April 10). Retrieved September 30, 2014.