Posts Tagged ‘Online Children’s Books’
Posted on April 3, 2010 by Suzan Woodard in Uncategorized.
Tags: assessment, Big Universe, book review, Charlesbridge, History, Italy, Online Children's Books, Perserverence, social studies, Underdog
add a comment
It’s human nature for people to love a good story about an underdog. Small guy beats big guy. It’s a classic theme – one that kids just eat up!
Tonight, Butler University, a small school in Indianapolis, will battle it out in the Final 4 of the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament against huge schools with much bigger sports programs. Back in the Depression, a small thoroughbred horse named Seabiscuit went from long shot to miracle worker when he soundly upset War Admiral – the 1938 Triple Crown Winner – in the “Match of the Century.” And of course, Americans love to retell how their ragtag army of patriots upset the British Empire more than two centuries ago.
The children’s picture book “Pippo the Fool” fits snugly in this genre. It’s a tale of an underdog, who initially gets little respect, but triumphs in the end. Children going through such a social dilemma will relate, especially kids who are a little quirky or are talented but fly under the radar.
What makes this book published by Charlesbridge an even better story is that the tale is true! Author Tracey E. Fern brings history to life as she retells the unusual circumstances surrounding the finishing of the dome on Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Italy more than 600 years ago. It features a contest, a braggart, an underdog and justice – all tied up in pretty packaging, thanks to the charming illustrations by Pau Estrada.
“Pippo the Fool” also teaches moral lessons. It encourages readers to reach for the stars. It teaches the value of perseverance and the pursuit of happiness, whether faced with ridicule from the town bully, health challenges or unfair circumstances. Perhaps best of all is the belief that justice is worth hoping for!
Big Universe offers this book online, including a reading comprehension quiz. (Reading Level: F&P N, DRA 34) Dozens of additional books on the website provide quizzes for learning assessment.
If Sylvan Dell were a person, I’d be offering a bear hug right now! That’s how happy I am to see that this publisher’s science-related books have been added to Big Universe’s online bookshelves. I read one, then another, then another. All wonderful!
Sylvan Dell Publishing is a South Carolina-based company on a serious mission to create science-related picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular and have educational value. Each of their books offers fun and warm stories featuring science, math and nature themes and must pass inspection by a scientist or educator from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo or other nature centers before they are published.
The company website lists each book’s alignment with national science and math standards in its searchable database, making lesson planning simpler. The ratings are based on the story text and each book’s “For Creative Minds” section. Each state has its own listing. Alignment ratings are based on:
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematic Standards
- National Science Education Standards
- National Geography Standards
- North American Association of Environmental Educators Standards (Pre-K to 4th grade)
In addition, Sylvan Dell’s books are published in both English and Spanish versions. The company’s website features loads of teaching activities, quizzes and information geared to teachers and librarians, as well as parents and homeschoolers. It even has a section for children, including animal webcams, word searches, crossword puzzles and scavenger hunts.
Big Universe has partnered with many other publishers contributing excellent science and technology picture books for children, too. Click here to go directly to the Big Universe science book shelf or browse by specific category.
Listed below are a few of the Sylvan Dell Publishing books that I have read on Big Universe so far. I couldn’t give them 5 out of 5 stars fast enough! They are good for reading at home or sharing during science time in a classroom setting via white board display.
It’s a little late to celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day which was March 1. I suppose it’s just as well – what with peanut butter allergies and such.
Yesterday, March 9, was Barbie Day, Panic Day and Get Over It Day all rolled into one 24-hour period. The juxtaposition of those three observances makes me laugh. Although today’s younger generation may be more enlightened, it parallels the phases that many women of my vintage go through. …“I love Barbie. I want to be Barbie.” (Barbie Day) “Oh, no! I’m NOT Barbie.” (Panic Day) And finally, “Looks are fleeting. There’s so much more to life than Barbie.” (Get Over It Day)
Though we may have missed a few special days, March has plenty more to offer with enough holidays and observances to enliven any classroom. Some days are silly and some designated dates laud the mundane, but every day is unique, offering a doorway to broaden a child’s horizons. I say, “Carpe diem!”
“Seize the Day!” List for March
March 10 is Middle Name Pride Day. What’s your middle name? Mine is Elizabeth – pretty straightforward, but one I value. It’s a family name worn by my mother and grandmother, and it’s the middle name given to my second daughter. It is a tiny bit of family heritage passed down from generation to generation. Parents can share how they selected names for each child in their family. Children in the classroom can go by their middle names for a day. (Be prepared for some silliness.)
March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day. It’s a perfect day to read a story about Johnny Appleseed, the American folk hero, and his tree-planting adventures. Tie in a discussion about fruits, vegetables and nutrition. Get a bag of apples of various colors and practice charting the numbers of each on a graph.
March 12 is Plant a Flower Day. Why not chase away the wintertime blues by offering a horticulture lesson. Read some poetry celebrating spring and the beauty of flowers, and break out the Dixie cups and potting soil. Marigolds are hardy specimens and should come up easily in a well-lit window. It’s also Girl Scout Day.
March 13 is Jewel Day. Read a book about gems and how they are formed. Help little ones string Cheerio necklaces or show older children how to repurpose pages from a magazine by turning them into paper beads that they can string into friendship bracelets or anklets. It’s also International Fanny Pack Day.
March 14 is Learn About Butterflies Day. One middle school in our town incorporated the study of butterflies into their science class. They planted a butterfly garden behind the school to attract the insects, adding beauty to the property and learning about life cycles and the importance of each creature to the ecosystem. Read “Where Butterflies Grow,” a Picture Puffins book by Joanne Ryder and Lynne Cherry, or visit the Foremost Butterflies website. It has lots of information and activities, including an easy word search about butterflies. …Oh. It’s also Potato Chip Day.
March 15 is the Ides of March. The Ides of March is most known for its mention in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. (“Beware the ides of March.”) While Caesar’s assassination in 44 B.C. may not be a topic for a first-grader, older students can learn about the great city of Rome, the Roman Empire and mythology. Read “Rome”by Christine Dugan, a children’s picture book featured in Big Universe’s online library, or try Saddleback’s illustrated adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” Note: The “ides” were the fifteenth days of March, May, July and October on the Roman calendar, and a festival for Mars, the god of war, was celebrated on March 15 in that culture.
March 16 is Lips Appreciation Day. Whistle a tune. Hold your breath. Discuss facial expressions and emotions. It’s also Freedom of Information Day in the United States.
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day.This day can be celebrated formally in recognition of the patron saint of Ireland or in a more whimsical way in all its shamrocked green-hued glory.
March 18 is Awkward Moments Day. “A-a-awk-ward!” is one of this generation’s favorite expressions. It means so much more than being clumsy. It signifies things like “I’m embarrassed,” “There’s too much silence,” or “That boy just made eye contact with me.”
March 19 is San Juan Capistrano Day, the day thousands of swallows return to the old stone mission in California’s town of San Juan Capistrano.
March 20 is Corn Dog Day. It’s also the First Day of Spring. Read “Spring” by Ann Herriges and published by Bellwether.
March 21 is World Poetry Day. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared this observance in 1999 to promote the teaching, reading and writing of poetry on a global scale. National Poetry Month is celebrated in April in the United States.
March 22 is National Goof Off Day. It’s your call. Keep this one a secret until the end of the day if there’s work to be done. Or name it, claim it!
March 23 is World Meteorological Day. Read “Weather” by Teacher Created Materials Publishing. It’s also Near Miss Day. Hmmm.
March 24 is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day. OK, I am officially in!
March 25 is Pecan Day.There will be a lot of pies cooked in the South. If I haven’t overindulged in Raisinettes, I think I’ll dig out my killer Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe.
March 26 is Hawaii’s Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day. It’s a state holiday in Hawaii. Check out “A is for Aloha,” a book by Uilani Goldsberry and illustrated by Tammy Yee. This book was the 2006 Hawaii Center for the Book selection representing the state at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. (Sleeping Bear Press)
March 27 is Skyscraper Day. Do you know which is the tallest building in the world? Is it the Empire State Building? Guess again. The tallest skyscraper is the 2717-foot Burj Khalifa building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with 160 floors. The Willis Tower in Chicago, formerly the Sears Tower, is the tallest building in the United States with 108 floors and ranks No. 8 in the world. The Empire State Building has 102 floors and ranks No. 15 globally.
March 28 is the day Olympian Jesse Owens was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The medal is awarded to a civilian who “performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States,” according to Wikipedia. Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. Read “A Picture Book of Jesse Owens” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla. Grade 5. (Scholastic)
March 29 is the Birthday of Yours Truly. Yup, it’s my birthday! Lots of candles on this one. John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, shares the same birthday. For more birthday fun, read “Penelope and the Preposterous Birthday Party.”
March 30 is Take a Walk in the Park Day. Isn’t it time for a field trip? Read “On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks” and then visit your community park or a nearby state or national park to see what your children can discover. Government-funded parks offer a wealth of information and plenty of room to stretch energetic little legs. March 30 is also the anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty in 1867, and it’s National Pencil Day.
March 31 is Bunsen Burner Day. Embrace science. Read a book. Do a simple experiment. Make it fun.
It’s true. I don’t like Dr. Seuss.
There, I said it…on his birthday, no less. I imagine this is a form of blasphemy, a veritable act of treason, but I just had to get it off my chest!
While I mean no disrespect to Theodor Seuss Geisel himself – who was born on March 2nd 106 years ago in Springfield, Mass. – I have to be honest. His books creeped me out as a child. (They sit on the same memory shelf as “The Wizard of Oz” and all those flying monkey things.)
The stories involved naughty characters and scenarios of impending doom. It was a little much for a sensitive kid with a highly developed imagination, a quick trigger finger over the “Guilt” button, and a hyperactive sympathy response. (If my brother got in trouble, I would be the one crying when it was all over.)
In my world, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Horton Hears a Who” were horrible stories. A thief was going to steal Christmas, my very favorite day of the year, and a little miniature civilization was going to be crushed despite the efforts of a well-meaning elephant. Don’t even get me started on “The Cat in the Hat” stories or “Green Eggs and Ham!”
Those siblings in the Cat story were going to be in BIG trouble when their mom got home and found the house a disaster. The Cat and Thing One and Thing Two were uninvited guests and did not jibe with my inner “voice of reason” or my healthy fear of strangers.
And, for goodness sake, green eggs and ham? That entrée sounded particularly disgusting to a girl from a “clean-your-plate-or-you-do-not-leave-the-table” household.
The illustrations were particularly creepy to me, too. I did not find them funny or cute. I loved animals, but these characters didn’t look like the soft furry ones I knew and adored. A one-humped Wump? A virtually hairless Zed? Zaxes, zooks and sneetches? No siree, bob. Not for me.
Yup, childhood memories are powerful things. Although I grew up to be a reasonably well-adjusted adult, I simply could not overcome my feelings about Dr. Seuss’ books. So, I refused to read them to my children. (Did I just hear a gasp on a global scale?)
Lest you think my children were deprived, think again. The books would end up in our take-home baskets at the library, although I never personally placed them in there. Unlike me, my husband reveled in reading “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” to our girls – over and over and over again. He can still quote passages by heart as can my girls!
I kept my prejudice to myself. An anti-Seuss sentiment just seemed so, well, un-American. I confided in my husband, but no one else knew. But, years have gone by and I have felt the urge to unload this heavy burden. My daughters are big girls now, young women of 16 and 19 years. I think it’s safe to purge. I think we are past the risk of leaving permanent psychological scars on them or impeding their education.
My name is Suzan, and I am a Dr. Seuss book hater.
I guess that means The Cat is out of the bag.
EDITOR’S NOTE: “Dr. Seuss” wrote and illustrated 44 children’s books during his lifetime. His works were turned into numerous TV specials, a Broadway musical and feature-length motion pictures. His honors have included a Pulitzer Prize, a Peabody award, two Academy Awards, two Emmys, and a whimsical sculpture garden was built as a memorial to him in his hometown. Despite my lack of appreciation for his well-loved rhyming schemes and quirky illustrations, his biography is fascinating and his contribution to children’s literature is unquestioned.
- To read more about this children’s literature giant, go to www.catinthehat.org.
- For a Level One Seuss word search puzzle, click here.
- Visit Seussville, a fun, interactive educational site for children.
- For additional reading fun, visit Big Universe, a source of children’s books online.
If the tri-fold boards visible in the back window of all the minivans in town weren’t evidence enough, the glazed eyes of parents in the school drop-off line would be a dead giveaway! Science Fair Week had arrived.
If I were politically correct, I’d be moaning and groaning with the rest of the parents, some of the teachers and certainly the custodial staff.
“I hate these projects,” said one parent to no one in particular.
“You poor thing,” said a passerby to a judge sitting in front of a display of bedraggled bean sprouts.
“What a weekend,” moaned another mom who sported noticeable undereye circles. The child in tow did not look happy either.
It’s the seventh year in a row that I have volunteered as a science fair judge and the ritual is the same. The negative attitude toward science and this educational rite of passage was the norm, rather than the exception. Unfortunately, it’s not a localized attitude. Science teachers and organizations have been fighting this pervasive cancer on a nation-wide basis for years.
I, however, love science! I always have. Although I became a writer by profession, my first love was nature, science and the great outdoors.
As a child, I reveled in rocks and bugs and birds in the trees. I was awed by the birth of kittens and checked on the ever-changing tadpoles in our farm pond. I filled a shelf in my bedroom with my finds: an empty turtle shell, a blue jay feather, a rock with a tiny fossil embedded in it.
This interest in the natural world is not that unusual in young children. Just watch a curious toddler at a park. One is carrying a dandelion in a chubby fist, while another is collecting acorns and pebbles or observing the ants. It’s the scientific method in its infancy. It’s precious to watch.
So what happens to that natural curiosity and joy? Why the negative attitude? Is the disconnect inevitable?
I say it doesn’t have to end this way! I speak as a parent of four back-to-back years of science fair competition and as an experienced science fair judge. Here are a few suggestions that I think will help.
Science Projects: 9 Tips for a Positive Experience
- A student’s personal interest in the project topic is vital. The higher the interest level, the better the attitude, involvement and outcome.
- Take a step-by-step approach. Methodical. Calm. Fun-focused. Note: A project cannot be completed successfully in a weekend.
- Expose your children to good material from a young age. There are great science-themed books, videos, TV shows and community programs available. Visit the library, a book store, the local university, a national park, a zoo or the community science or agriculture center. Online resources are extensive. Big Universe has a particularly good collection of science-themed children’s picture books online and the Bill Nye the Science Guy website has a good sampling of easy experiments for parents or teachers to do with their children.
- A positive parental attitude toward homework, science and education is key. Very often a parent’s bad attitude toward science projects is linked to an over-taxed schedule, a skewed understanding of the assignment’s goals, a poor view of education’s importance, or a negative personal science fair experience. “Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious!” – Bill Meyer
- Teacher attitude. (Yes, teachers too!) Whether you are part of a school system or are a homeschooler, personal views are powerful. A child can detect overt and subtle biases against science. Do you see the science unit as a necessary evil or do you see science and learning as a blessing and great opportunity?
- Exposure to good role models. Expose kids to science professionals – an engineer with cool gadgets, a zoo keeper or veterinarian, or a science “performer” with a sense of humor and lots of loud, visually interesting experiments designed to intrigue kids.
- Parental support. Good parent-teacher communication can go a long way in avoiding misunderstandings and encourage parental support. (The child can’t drive, pay for materials, or scour the Internet safely without parental involvement. Getting everyone on the same team is imperative.)
- Time management! Colliding with deadlines is stressful to the child, the parents and even siblings. Anticipating checkpoints and due dates allows you to sidestep the stress. Look at the teacher’s guidelines and schedule each step in the experiment process on your family calendar: researching, planning, collecting supplies, testing, journaling, analysis and creation of the display board. Allow a time cushion! Family emergencies happen, plants die and glue sticks dry up.
- Recruit science mentors. Many science professionals or hobbyists are happy to share their knowledge and love of the sciences. “Bring Your Child to Work Day” is another great opportunity to expose children to different careers and working scientists.
UPDATE: (3/12/2010) Big Universe recently partnered with Sylvan Dell Publishing, a company on a serious mission to create picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular, and have educational value — particularly in the areas of math, science and nature. Each book is carefully vetted by experts in the field including scientists and educators from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo and various nature centers and aviaries.
Posted on February 11, 2010 by Suzan Woodard in Uncategorized.
Tags: African American History Month, Books for Black History Month, children's authors, Diversity, Grade Level, Heroes, Lesson Plans, Online Children's Books, picture books, Reading
add a comment
Stunted though it may be, February is an overachiever. Its 28 days are jam-packed with holidays, birthdays and observances – surely enough fodder to fill those bulletin boards with meaningful material all month long.
While Groundhog’s Day may be a bit frivolous and Valentine’s Day a tad frilly, the Black History Month observance is fertile ground for broadening our children’s understanding of American history. It moves beyond waddling rodents and rotund cherubs with a fondness for archery. Rather, it provides the framework to introduce heroes, men and women with athletic, artistic and academic gifts and a vision for a better tomorrow.
“In the centuries since African Americans first arrived on our shores, they have known the bitterness of slavery and oppression, the hope of progress, and the triumph of the American Dream. African American history is an essential thread of the American narrative that traces our nation’s enduring struggle to perfect itself. Each February, we recognize African American History Month as a moment to reflect upon how far we have come as a nation, and what challenges remain.” – President Barack Obama
What better tool to introduce this facet of American history than books? Who better to introduce the books than acclaimed poet and autobiographer Maya Angelou, who understands their power so well?
“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading – to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs – is good for him.” – Maya Angelou, African American poet
A Starter List of Biographies for Kids
– “A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman,” by David A. Adler and Samuel Byrd, traces the life of Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery to become a conductor in the Underground Railroad. Grade 4. (Scholastic)
– “Jackie Robinson Graphic Biography” details the life of the first African-American Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. Grades 4-6. (Saddleback Educational Publishing)
– “George Washington Carver,” by Eva Moore and Alexander Anderson, tells the story of a man who overcame tough beginnings to become an accomplished botanist. Grades 3-5 (Scholastic)
– “Rap a Tap Tap,” by Leo and Diane Dillon, is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book about Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a popular tap dancer from the 1920s-30s, who “talked with his feet.” (Blue Sky Press)
– “Martin Luther King Jr. Graphic Biography” is a biography about an influential man who fought against prejudice and injustice. Grades 4-6. (Saddleback)
– A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth,” by David A. Adler and Gershom Griffith, traces the life of a well-known abolitionist and crusader for the rights of African Americans in the United States. (Grade 4) (Scholastic)
– “A Picture Book of Jesse Owens,” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla, is a simple biography about track star Jesse Owens, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. (Grade 5) (Scholastic)
– “I Am Rosa Parks,” by Rosa Parks with Jim Haskins, tells the story of a brave woman who acted upon her convictions. Grades 1-3. (Puffin)
– “A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass,” by David A. Adler and Samuel Byrd, explains the role of this escaped slave, who went on to become a writer, speaker and leader of the abolitionist movement. Grade 5. (Scholastic)
– “A Picture Book of Thurgood Marshall,” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla, lets children learn more about the life of the first African-American Supreme Court justice. Grade 5. (Scholastic)
– Reading Rockets offers its own list of Black History Month reads. Check them out.
Other African Americans making significant contributions to our society include neurosurgeon Ben Carson, sports legend Bill Russell, Pulitzer Prize poet Gwendolyn Brooks, Tuskegee Institute director Booker T. Washington, Medal of Honor soldier Vernon Baker, baseball legend Buck O’Neil, surgical technique pioneer Vivien Thomas, track great Wilma Rudolph, Oscar-winning actress Hattie McDaniel, choreographer Alvin Ailey, and too many others to count.
Big Universe, an online children’s picture books website, has lots to offer to supplement Black History Month discussions. Let your students explore the Bill of Rights by reading “What Are Citizens’ Basic Rights?” Grades 4-6 (Weekly Reader), or read “Civil Rights: An Acrostic Poem” by Big Universe member BlockB. “Slavery in America” and ”Reconstruction” are other options for older students.
Posted on February 7, 2010 by Suzan Woodard in Uncategorized.
Tags: Big Universe, Books, Children, Chinese New Year, creativity, Fun in class, Lesson Plans, literacy games, Online Children's Books, picture books, vocabulary
add a comment
Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, but did you know it’s the first day of the Chinese New Year, too? Yup – the Year of the Tiger is upon us! Maybe your child or class would have fun with some global fusion – half hearts, half dragons.
Kids like quirky, well, most of them anyway. Hang Chinese lanterns from the ceiling and cut and paste valentines. Mix in talk of tigers, dragons and firecrackers and you are sure to engage the boys, as well.
I figure most of you have the Valentine’s Day theme down pat, so I’ll give you a few hints on how to use the Chinese New Year celebration as a spring board for learning.
Get to Know and Appreciate China
- Make Chinese paper lanterns to string in a doorway or from the ceiling. Very festive.
- Read “China” by Gisela Lee, who writes about this influential country’s rich history and vibrant modern-day culture. The book posted online by Big Universe has a map, colorful pictures and a good vocabulary list aimed at sixth-graders. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
- Fly a kite, bring collapsible umbrellas to school or play dominoes. They were all invented by the Chinese.
- Use “Kingka,” an award-winning board game, as a class supplement. Created by New Jersey educator, mom and children’s book author Sholeen Lou-Hsaio, the Mandarin-language matching game resembles bingo and introduces the 54 basic Chinese characters. It uses “the spirited nature of a memory game to encourage effective learning. It takes away the fear students have of learning Chinese,” said Lou-Hsiao.
- Learn more about giant pandas by clicking on this link, or read “Pandas’ Earthquake Escape” at Big Universe. (Sylvan Dell)
- “Confucius, Chinese Philosopher” is another Big Universe book by Gisela Lee, who collaborated with Wendy Conklin to write this biography. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
- Look at “Holidays” by author Dona Herweck Rice. It’s aimed at younger children with simple text and great pictures. Keep an eye out for the Chinese New Year street parade picture. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
- Go to Page 33 in the book “Animal World,” published by Saddleback Educational Publishing. It offers a little zoology on the tiger – with colorful photographs and a fun “factoscope” box. Or read “What Tigers Do,” a beginner book written by Kris Bonnell and published by Reading Reading Books, LLC.
- Print out this coloring page of a tiger, a boy in traditional holiday clothing, or one of men dressed to do the Chinese New Year lion dance.
Posted on January 18, 2010 by Suzan Woodard in Personal Experiences, Uncategorized.
Tags: Big Universe, Book lists, Coping with tragedy, Current Events, Dealing with death, Haiti, Kids and Grief, Online Children's Books, picture books
add a comment
Haiti has hit me hard. I can’t stand suffering, sadness and the plight of the marginalized. It’s hard for me to make sense of the tragedy on that island nation – and I’m an adult. How much harder it must be for a child to process images on TV and stories they hear at school.
Of course we can turn the channel when little ones are in the room and tuck newspapers and magazines out of sight, but sometimes death and dying become very personal. A friend’s mother dies. A teacher gets cancer. A grandparent has a heart attack.
Tragedy stands at the doorstep, and we must deal with it the best we can. Hugs, prayers and a listening ear are the first line of defense. Diversion has its place and so does role playing with dolls and toys.
I can remember my oldest daughter doing just that with her Playmobil zoo set after watching “The Lion King.” We had strictly monitored her TV watching, but had scooped up a copy of this movie, because she loved lions. Unfortunately we failed to recognize that to her, those animated characters were REAL. That’s when she first learned that loved ones can die – even big strong daddies like Mufasa the lion. (Cue the mommy guilt.)
We talked to her and reassured her, but she coped in her own way – by incorporating the topic of dying in her pretend games with her stuffed animals and zoo set. Her younger sister was able to stay naïve a little longer – that is until Sept. 11, 2001. She learned about the tragedy in New York City at school from other kids. When she got home and walked in while I was watching the news coverage, she thought MORE planes were flying into MORE buildings. (Mommy guilt, Part II.)
I think it’s only natural to try to shield our children from the harsh realities of the world – if only for a short while. However, when troubles come, I believe in naming them and beginning the process of dealing with them. I’m not a fan of sweeping things under the rug. Current events – even the bad ones – can be a learning tool.
Talking and praying were givens for us. Books also proved valuable in helping our kids cope with the fragility of the human condition. They provided a forum for discussion, and the physical contact of sitting on our laps gave comfort. The warmth of our voices soothed away fears and reinstated a sense of safety.
Michael Catchpool’s picture book “Grandpa’s Boat” (Andersen Press) is a warm story that encourages readers to remember loved ones who have passed away and to celebrate their lives rather than forget. The illustrations by Sophy Williams capture the love and happy memories that death can not touch.
Bestselling author Audrey Penn also has written a sensitive book in which the main character comes to understand the loss of a school friend through an “accident.” Check out “Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories,” (Tanglewood Press) illustrated by Barbara Gibson.
“A Mango for Grandpa” by Caroline Hudicourt (International Step by Step Association) is another online story offered in Big Universe’s library of children’s picture books. It also deals with loss by celebrating fond memories and carrying on traditions. Its illustrations by Ismer Saincilus lend themselves to whiteboard display in a classroom setting.
“Saying Goodbye” is “a sad and true story about the death of a pet dog,” written by Carrado G60, a Big Universe member. It is a perfect illustration of how Big Universe’s author tool can help kids deal with grief. The child author was able to memorialize Muffy, a beloved pet, by uploading digital photos and expressing feelings through personalized text. The book includes a parent’s page at the end with hints to help children deal with loss.
“Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening. But no matter how hard death tries, it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.” – Anonymous
Note: There are many resources available to parents and teachers, who find themselves dealing with the topic of death and tragedy. Don’t be hesitant to get help from a certified grief counselor or clergyman if you feel overwhelmed. The Barr-Harris Children’s Grief Center in Chicago recommends numerous books about death and grief for children and adolescents, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions. Educator Keith Schoch also offers a great list of additional picture books on this topic in his blog.
Update (May 20, 2010): The New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards selected the picture book “Old Hu-Hu” as its supreme award recipient this year. Written by Kyle Mewburn of Central Otago and illustrated by Rachel Driscoll of Wellington, the book tells the story of a huhu beetle family and how it dealt with death by celebrating life, “reassuring children about losing a loved one.”
To learn more about using current events as an educational resource in the classroom, read these Big Universe Blogs by Suzan Woodard.
“10 Ways to Use Current Events in the Classroom”
“Add Life to Your Teaching with Current Events”
Posted on January 12, 2010 by Big Universe in Uncategorized.
Tags: alternative assessments, assessment, Big Universe, hydrocephalus, learning disabilities, NCLB, Online Children's Books, Portfolio Assessments, Reading Comprehension, Special Needs, Standards of Learning, VGLA Worksheets
add a comment
I didn’t go into to teaching for the money. No one goes into teaching for the money. I love children. Ask any teacher that stays with teaching why they do it and they’ll tell you it’s because they want to make a difference in children’s lives.
Way, way, way……..back when I first wanted to be a teacher, when I was in high school, we were being told the market was going to be over run with teachers so it wasn’t a good choice. That was all I truly ever wanted to be so that threw me into a sort of inner turmoil. I started college going towards a medical degree, changed that to English and finally left after two years when I was 20 giving up a full scholarship.
Fast forward to a husband and three beautiful children all in their teens now… when the youngest went into first grade, the first year of all day school, I returned to college to get my degrees. First my bachelors, then my masters, with a double major in elementary and special education.
I always knew that I couldn’t just teach in a regular classroom. I love all children but I have always hated to see the “special” child taunted and teased and left behind. As a teacher I hate to teach to the masses and leave that small percent behind. I wanted to be the one to teach the small percentage.
So here I am today living my dream. I wanted you to have the history so you can see that I did not just choose teaching and go into it straight out of college without giving it any thought. I knew what I was doing. I even substitute taught while my little ones were in school when I didn’t have classes. The graduate program I took was a hands-on program where I spent a full day co-teaching and then took my classes at night. I knew what I was getting into. I knew. But, the lack of respect by my leaders is something I wasn’t expecting.
The Council on Exceptional Children has identified the top 10 Critical Issues Facing Special Education. The number one issue they’ve identified is the “National Special Education Policy.” Included in this is No Child Left Behind. Under NCLB all children are expected to show their achievement at grade level. While there are some alternative assessments those assessments are still missing the point. In order to show progress we as special educators need to be given a format to show that our students have shown progress commensurate to where they began, not that they are making grade level progress. When I can do this I will be doing my students justice.
Currently I am working with the Virginia Grade Level Alternative Assessment. That means I need to show that my student who is reading on a first grade level (thus the term “special education”) is able to read and comprehend on a fourth grade level. I also need to be able to show that this student who has poor short term memory is able to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators. Does anyone else besides me see the problem here? The alternative to the alternative assessment is they can take the Standards of Learning exam at the end of the year and most probably fail.
So why did I give you the history of my journey to teaching? Because when you here about the high turn over rate of teachers you may think these are all young new teachers. But, they aren’t. There are many seasoned teachers being pushed to the brink and beyond.
I know everyone is facing poor economics these days. I’m looking at the total package. As a teacher there’s a feeling that as a whole the profession is treated poorly. Next year again, in my county at least, there will be no pay raises and no cost of living increases. As teachers in the county, more than the lack of money, we see this as a lack of respect. At the same time there is no money, the work load is increasing. This year alone my duties at work have increased and the paperwork has grown tremendously in special education. There are beneficial training classes being offered to help with the alternative assessments, after school.
I’m not whining. But sometimes I do want to cry. I get thirty minutes of planning time a day. That’s barely enough time to print out what I need to use that day. I go to work two hours early every day. I stay late. I work at home constantly. I have mandatory parent meetings with each of my student’s parents annually and now that’s just been increased by an extra meeting triennially. I now have an extra extensive assessment that I need to give my students. The alternative assessment is an extremely time intensive portfolio for each subject and I’m doing 10 portfolios this year. Doing these assessments with students who really don’t get the material is so… hard because the teaching is excruciating. The kids may get it for a minute. I can assess it for a minute…. . But is this learning? Is this teaching?
Luckily while I’m building the wheel everyday to teach my students there are a few websites that are helping me with my students. Big Universe is one of them. The majority of their books now have assessments that go with them. This is a great way for me to judge my children’s knowledge. For example, I have to do a biography with my students. I’m going to use Martin Luther King Jr.’s biography which has an assessment on Big Universe. I’ll show it on my Smart Board, read it aloud and have my students take turns coming up to answer the quiz questions. Along with anecdotal notes and some other work this will become part of my portfolios.
Teaching can be painful. The constant search for resources is very time consuming. If it wasn’t for the occasional gem like Big Universe, teaching would be even more difficult.
In my hometown, there is an annual adult literacy fund-raiser called the “Really Good, Really Big, Really Cheap Book Sale.” It took place a few months ago and more than 17,000 shoppers attended to purchase books and support the Greenville Literacy Association in South Carolina. A total of $150,000 was raised.
I don’t know about you, but my heart rate quickens at the sight of large quantities of books. Oh, the reading possibilities!
I even get a little rush when I go to my mother’s house – and not because she makes the best cappuccino east of Rome and north of Cuba! No, there’s inevitably a small pile of books waiting for me on a side counter near her kitchen door. My mom is an avid reader, and we share similar tastes in books. She has minimal space for storing extra books, so they get to come home with me to live. Yip!
For those of you who have a crush on books like I do, I offer a list of ways to feast your eyes on a few more this year, keeping frugality in mind. The library is a given, of course.
Merger & Acquisition
- Check out thrift shops. I’ve found some classics there.
- Visit BookMooch.com, a point-based book-swapping website that “lets you give away books you no longer need in exchange for books you really want.” There is no fee to join. Mailing your books is the only cost.
- Post a book wish list in your classroom if you are a teacher (Parents Night) and include the list in your “Note from the Teacher” for each child’s take-home folder.
- Subscribe to Big Universe’s free weekly newsletter, which includes links in each issue for complimentary access to selected children’s books offered online. Follow Big Universe on Facebook and receive alerts for the website’s free book of the day.
- Scout out local yard or moving sales. There’s always a crate of mix-n-match volumes under a table somewhere.
- Read literacy blogs and other social media, keeping an eye out for book giveaways or contests.
- Give the right answer when someone asks you for birthday gift ideas for your kids. “Anything would be lovely, but books are always a hit” works nicely.
- Start an exchange at the gym. Ask management if you can add a box by the door at the childcare room.
- Swap one of the duplicate books you got for Christmas with a friend.
- Look for post-holiday closeout deals at the book shop or big box stores.
- Do your research. Many reading incentive programs (especially in summer) offer book rewards for reaching goals.
- Get your techie to surf the Net for some deals – Affordabook.com, Half.com or Powells.com for instance.
- Inquire at churches. Some offer lending libraries.
- Ask to collect books not claimed from Lost & Found bins.
* Let me know if you have any other ideas. I’d love to add to this list, so please submit a comment.
