Posts Tagged ‘books to inspire writing’
By the time my students get to me in fourth grade, they are expected to be reading chapter books. It’s more mature and sophisticated and, well it’s more at their level of reading. But picture books are still such powerful tools to use in fourth grade and beyond. Sometimes they provide a great story to read for enjoyment or a well crafted story that teaches a moral. Lately, I’ve been using picture books to help my students write narratives.
Picture books are a great way to illustrate the basic elements of a story. Finding just the right book can show how a good story includes a character, a problem, events in a sequence and a solution. Often you can see a climax and resolution. My class and I have been looking at various picture books to reinforce these elements, making sure we include them and develop them in our own narratives. (Fourth graders are required to write a personal narrative for our Massachusetts state test.)
Of course I have a collection of picture books in my room, but Big Universe has provided me with an extensive collection which has been so practical and useful. The last time we were in the Computer Clubhouse, I asked students to search through their own online bookshelves and other places on Big Universe to find a picture book that tells a good story; a picture book that has all the great elements of a story.
Here are some books on Big U that we found that fit this criteria:
For a listing of ALL of the picture books on Big Universe, click this link.
Through discussion and sharing, students were able to see time and again what a good story contains. The journey of becoming a writer is a long one, but this step is definitely a good one to take along the way.
Happy reading and happy writing.
~EMP
Title: Perfect Man
Author: Troy Wilson
Illustrator: Dean Griffiths
Published: 2004 Orca Book Publishing
ISBN: 1551434350
Jump into the world of an ordinary boy, “Michael Maxwell McAllum was the smallest boy in his class. He lived in a small house in a small town on a small street.” He idolizes Perfect Man, a crime fighting super hero. The story begins when Perfect Man announces his retirement. Michael isn’t sad to hear this news because he believes that Perfect Man will reappear when needed. The school year begins and Michael has a new teacher. Mr. Clark is the perfect teacher. He seems to be everywhere at once and explains information about planets as if he had actually been there. Through his thinning hair and rounded stomach, Michael believes he recognizes his idol, Perfect Man. Mr. Clark helps Michael to discover his own super power.
This book would make a great read for parents, teachers, and children who love super hero stories. The fun, vibrant illustrations will capture the attention of all audiences. Choose this book as a beginning of the year read aloud or use it to encourage children to read and write. Perfect Man reminds us to look within for our special talents.
Discussion Starters
- What is a hero?
- Who is a hero in your life?
- What makes that person a hero?
- Think of a time when you were someone’s hero. Explain.
- What is your super power?
If you like this book, try some of the other books by Orca Book Publishers.
Conversation with Troy Wilson A podcast interview with the author.
Keisa Williams (aka Ms. K) is a K-5 School Librarian at Monarch Academy, a public charter school in Oakland, CA. She is certified in secondary and elementary education (MLIS and MEd) and loves collaborating with teachers and integrating technology into her library lessons. She considers herself a “Technology Diva” and “Gadget Junkie”.
Say to a room full of parents, “Raise your hand if you are you a reader,” and you will see a sea of hands. Say to the same parents, “Raise your hand if you are a writer,” and you will see a few timid hands reaching for the sky and a roomful of quizzical expressions.
Most of us learned to write for an audience of one, the teacher. Our writing was utilitarian to the purpose of earning a grade; most of us submitted work with no idea what the teacher wanted and hoped we would get an A.
Today, as a result of the explosive work by gifted teachers such as Lucy Calkins and Donald Graves, students are invited to be writers as they work within a writers’ workshop. Students view books as text created by writers; they read not only for enjoyment but also to see how writers write. They seek to write for an audience of peers and parents as well as the teacher, and they learn from reading what it means to write well. Excellent writing serves as models to students who copy elements of that excellent writing. Students are invited into a “celebration of words.”
Adults can gain admittance to the ownership of their own writing and can support student writing by seeking wonderful books to share with children. Books such as Water Dance by Thomas Locker invite readers to see the beauty in their world and use words to describe that beauty. He writes as if he is the water:
At the foot of the mountains,
I leap from a stone cliff.
Spiraling.
Plunging.
I am the waterfall.
Locker shows us how the celebration of nature brings importance to cultivation of our use of words as poetry; he then offers the reader information about the water cycle as the last few pages are written in expository text. He tempts us to go out into nature, see its beauty, and choose words that allow us to share our experience with others while we learn.
Using Locker’s example, adults can invite children to satisfy their curiosity about nature, and then “be nature.” As families enjoy summer activities such as hiking, camping, and travel, they can be reminded of Locker’s words and illustrations as he describes water in all of its drama and exuberance, and use that model as they explore the world:
I am the redwood tree…
I am the ocean….
I am the lake…
Be brave: play with words this summer! Be a writer!
