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”.
The Lion & The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Wordless picture books are a great way to encourage reluctant readers, motivate storytelling, and prompt creative writing. I was blessed to receive the Caldecott Medal winning book, The Lion & The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney from a Twitter Elementary Librarian colleague, Ernie Cox. It was serendipitous that our kindergarten and first grade teams had just read another version of this story to our students.
When I introduced this book to students, I talked about how the illustrations in most picture books tell the story. I then modeled how to “read” a wordless picture book. I narrated parts and I added dialogue where appropriate. For example, “As the lion squeezed his paws around the mouse, the mouse screamed, “HELP!”…But no one heard his cries.” During the second reading, I call on students to “read” each page. When they narrate, I encourage them to think about describing how a character feels (and why), body language, the setting, and encourage them to add dialogue to enhance their storytelling. They always surprise me with the humor and specific details they choose to add to the story.
Did you know that Big Universe has wordless picture books? Use these titles to get your little ones “reading”:
Wordless picture books on Big Universe
Ben's Big Dig on Big Universe
Ben's Bunny Trouble on Big Universe
Book Clubs are nothing new. Since the inception of “Oprah’s Book Club” people everywhere have participated in their own book clubs. Then the idea trickled down to classrooms and literature circles popped up, essentially a book club for students. (Honestly, literature circles were probably around before Oprah!) More recently, children have begun to participate in book clubs outside of school, for pleasure! How wonderful is that!
I’ve heard of adult book clubs, teen book clubs, and book clubs for elementary readers. . . all independent readers. But what about our smallest readers? Our pre-readers deserve book clubs, too.
How to Start a Book Club for Preschoolers
- Discuss the idea with your playgroup or child’s preschool class.
- Choose a weekly time and place to meet and read. Choose a facilitator for each week. The facilitator chooses the book and the corresponding art project.
- Read aloud the picture book. Make the reading interactive. Ask questions as you read aloud.
- Discuss characters, plot points, setting, etc. Make personal connections to the book. Get kids interested in the book. Ask: “What was your favorite part? Your least favorite?”
- Provide an art activity to tie into the reading.
In the Book Club that I facilitate for preschoolers, I read aloud The Snowy Day by Jack Ezra Keats. We connected the book to times when it snowed and some of the things we did in the snow, just like Peter. Then we made our own footprints in the snow with black paint on our fingers and put it on white paper. It was a simple art project and connected to the book.
A simple, fun way to connect preschoolers with books. . . in a social setting. Preschoolers need book clubs, too!
Dawn Little (aka Links to Literacy) also blogs at www.teachingwithpicturebooks.wordpress.com where she provides educators with picture book lessons based on comprehension strategies and the Six Traits of Writing. In addition, she blogs at www.literacytoolbox.wordpress.com where she provides educators and parents with tips and tools to enhance the literacy lives of children. She is the founder and owner of Links to Literacy, a company dedicated to providing interactive literacy experiences for children and families. Find out more at www.linkstoliteracy.com
