The Story Of Ruby Bridges

written by: Robert Coles

illustrated by: George Ford

Genre: Multicultural, Biography
Grades: k-2

Have you ever felt alone or felt like you didn't belong? Have you ever been judged by the color of your skin, your ethnicity, or what you looked like? Imagine being the only African American student in an elementary school during the 1960's. Can you imganine what if must have felt like to go to school everyday when others didn't want you to be there?

In the biography " The Story of Ruby Bridges", written by Robert Coles and illustrated by George Ford, readers get to know how Ruby Bridges felt being one of the first African American students to go to an all white elementary school. Ruby Bridges grew up very poor in Mississippi and Lousiana during the 1960's and the Civil Rights Movement. Ruby and three other African American girls were sent to all white elementary schools in order to start the first steps towards desegregation, when racism was at its worse in the United States. While the three other students were placed at the same school, Ruby was sent all by herself to William Franz Elementary School. Every day Ruby would walk into first grade while people yelled and screamed at her for months. Ruby was the only student in her class besides the teacher Mrs. Henry. Ruby showed courage everyday while attending William Franz Elementary School, and she never showed anger. Instead, Ruby prayed everyday for the people who screamed.

I think that "The Story of Ruby Bridges" is a great multicultural biography that could be used in grades kindergarten to second. Robert Coles really captures what it must have felt like to be Ruby Bridges during the Civil Rights Movement. The illustrations enhance the truth of the story, and the images really cpature some of the anger that was going on during that time. The language used is appropraite for younger children, and it tells them about a time in the United States that was full of racism and hatred. I like the fact that the story is from Ruby's eyes and I think it gives a positive messgae. It shows that children can be brave and have a voice in the world when times are hard.

Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks

Key Ideas and Details

Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content of a text.

Bugs are Insects by Anne Rockwell

Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Grades K-2

Nonfiction Informational

Have you ever wondered what makes an insect an insect? Have you ever asked yourself if a bug was the same thing as an insect? Or maybe you have mistaken a spider for a bug in the past? If you can identify with any of these questions then look no further. If you want to learn about the creepy crawlers all around you the book Bugs Are Insects is just for you!

The author, Anne Rockwell, does a great job detailing what it takes to be an insect. Throughout the 31 pages of the book Rockwell explains the traits of insects with just enough detail for young readers. She also debunks a few misconceptions children may have about insects, or what they think are insects. The book is written in an organized manner which makes it easier to grasp the concepts. She goes from talking about the traits of insects, and then briefly explores the common misconception of the spider being classified as an insect; from there she discusses that bugs are not insects, and next briefly visits the creepy crawlers known as beetles. She finishes the book, again, talking about insects. I think the way the book is written does help in understanding the concepts because it starts off by discussing insects, which leads into the other forms of creatures all around us; then to bring it all together she finishes with insects.

Rockwell writing style is interesting and engaging throughout the book. She uses language that would be new and exciting for the age group and talks about tons of insects, and other creatures all around us – which we know is very exciting for young children. I also appreciate the fact that she placed a few quick questions into the book about the content. This allows the students to really think about and better understand the concepts being read about; it keeps them engaged as well. It is also nice that the back of the book has several activity ideas to allow the students to find out more about insects; a list of all the insects and other creatures learned about in the book is also located in the back. Another feature of the book is that the illustrations go hand in hand with text; the questions mentioned above often relate to the illustrations on the page. Often, with the questions, the students are involved in observing the illustrations to help them answer the questions. The illustrations really help the students to fully understand and visualize this fascinating topic - bugs!

This book is so versatile and can be used for many things in the classroom. The book could be used for is when you’re introducing a new lesson on insects and other creepy crawlers; the book also provides the students with great information for comparing and contrasting. It would even just be a good to have in the class library.

MA ELA Frameworks – Reading standards for Informational Text - Kindergarten: With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text and identify the main topic; actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.

Building a House

Building a House
By: Byron Barton
Nonfiction
A Trumpet Club Special
Edition
Grades preK-2

Have you ever wondered how homes are built? Well Building a House by Bryon Baryon will give you a step-by-step explanation on how houses are built. It will give you in dept information about the presses of building a house and what materials are used to make a house. If you are looking to see the inside of how a house is build, this is a great book to read.
This picture book will provide students with information on how to build a house. In Building a House, By Bryon Barton you will learn the sequential way to build a house. This book provides information on the simple ways on building a house. The book starts off on a "big hill" and then goes through the stages of building a house ending with "The family moves inside" This is a good book because it provides students with visuals that represent the words that are used. It is a picture book so in this book a picture really is worth a thousand words.
This book will be good for any ELL learned. The pictures within the story tell the story. If a student could not read nor has trouble reading, they would be able to look at the pictures. They would be able to understand what was going on and realized after that ever thing the house workers did was for one outcome. A house. This book would also be great to use in the classroom for having students put events in sequential events. They would be able to look at the book and determine what comes first, second, and third when building a house. This could also connect to Massachusetts Frameworks by having the students make their own sequential event of nonfiction story. They also can learn about what the different jobs a plumber; electrician, carpenter etc. have to do when building a house. Each worker has a different job and they can learn about that.
I would recommend Building a House by Bryon Barton to those students in the younger grades. As I said, the visuals of this story are helpful for ELL students as well as any other student with a special need in reading.

kate bolducblog post 2

Potty Animals: What To Know When You Got To Go By: Hope Vestergaard

Illustated by: Valeria Petrone

Grade Level Pre School - K

 Have you ever had a day where you went to the bathroom and the toilet seat was up? Or a time where the person before you forgot to flush? This book has it all. Potty Animals: What to know when you got to go By: Hope Vestergaard.

This poetry book is wonderful way to have kids learn about potty training and the do’s and don’ts in a bathroom. Each poem covers a bad potty behavior. This book was written in rhyme punctuated by emphatic statements. The author Hope Vestergaard invited young children to correct the potty mistake that a group of preschool aged animals make in their toileting habits. Freddie the rabbit is afraid to flush, Helga the duck lollygags, Georgie won’t wipe and Farley won’t close the door! These are all problems that younger children might face while growing up. Valeria Petrone the illustrator of this poetry book uses comical critters that are caught in the act when using the bathroom. She made the illustrations funny for children and there parents not making it embarrassing for young readers to experience with there parents.

I think that this is a wonderful book. Both Hope and Valeria do a great job describing certain real life situations that really do happen almost every day. This is a awesome book for young readers to read with there parents. It will help them learn many new things about the bathroom and also get in a couple good laughs while reading the book. I like that each poem is a different scenario. It makes kids not bored with the same thing; it makes them engaged especially if it is making them laugh. Who doesn’t love a good bathroom story to brighten up the day! I would recommend this book to any parent who has a young child who is in the potty training stage.

What in the Wild

What in the Wild

David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy

Nonfiction Informational

Grades 2 - 4

Do you want to discover a mystery? Or be a detective? Red "What in the Wild" to discover ten different creature that are within, Each begins with a clue delivered in the for m of a poem. As we receive clues about the certain thing in the wild, we think what could it be, until you lift the flap to see if your discovery was correct.

Each page has a mystery of nature with a poem that alerts children to the clues of what is in the picture. When they open the page, it reveals facts about that element of nature with a great photo. This book is fun, informative and very mysterious. "We're long and lithe, we wiggle and writhe. Of dead things we dispose. We daily plow the soil, and help stuff decompose.!" Next you lift the flap to reveal a photo of an earthworm, following the picture is more information on the creatures. The clues range from a short verse, with rhymed couplets to concrete poems to haiku's. I really enjoyed the pictures of the creatures in their natural habitat.

The book is clearly organized in a way that shows the relationship between concepts. I like how it gives information about the creature in the clues, and then after you discover what's under the flap, you receive more information on that creature. The reader is drawn into each mystery throughout the book through the authors witty poems and information. The clues given on the white paper then the creature is colorful and full of life in the next page. I love the feeling of mystery the design of the book gave me while reading this book. This is the third book of the authors series, the first is "Where in the Wild" and second "Where else in the Wild." Schwartz is an expert on creators in the wild. The illustration reflect the beliefs and values of the culture discussed throughout the series.

This book would be great to read before a nature walk or before a lesson on nature. Also this book would be great to close a lesson on things in the wild. Read the clue given, and see if the students can reveal what creature they believe is going to be under the flap.

MA Curriculum Frameworks

Grade 2 Recognize that animales and plants are living things that grow , reproduce, and need food, air ,water.

Gardes 3-5 Classify plants and animales according to the phyiscal characteristics that they share.

"The Butterfly"

"The Butterfly"

Written and Illustrated By: Patricia Polacco

Grades 3-5

Multicultural/Culturally Diverse

Ever wanted to learn about the Holocaust through a child’s eyes? Do you ever think about how you would have acted during this terrible time? Think you would have been brave enough to help Jewish families? Well by reading this story you will learn about a little girl who’s life was completely changed by a girl hiding in her basement. See how a forbidden friendship blossoms during this terrifying time in history.

Monique is a young girl living in Choisy-le Rio located next to Paris with her mother. Monique’s village is filled with Nazi soldiers during the time of the French Resistance. One night Monique is awaked to find a young girl, close to her in age, sitting at the foot of her bed. This frightens Monique because she thinks the girl is a ghost! She quietly asks the ghostly girl who she is which causes the girl to run out of the room. At breakfast Monique explains the ghostly girl to her mother who quickly becomes angry with Monique. Her mother demands that it was just a dream and nothing more. After making her mother upset with her “dream” Monique shares her story with Denise, her best friend, on the way home from school. It is at this time that Monique expresses that she got the feeling of fear from this ghostly girl. The two girls then pop into Monsieur Marks’ candy shop for some sweets. Shortly after leaving there Nazi soldiers rush into the candy store and take Monsieur Marks captive. Seeing this horrifies the two young girls who quickly run to Monique’s house to be comforted by her mother. Neither of the girls understands why it had to happen to Monsieur Marks because he is a Frenchman and not Jewish. After this incident many nights pass without the “ghost” returning again. Then one night this “ghost” girl once again awakens Monique. She assures her that it is okay for her to be there and learns that this is no ghost but a girl named Sevrine. Sevrine explains that she has lived many places since the war began and completely shocks Monique when she explains how she lives in Monique’s basement. Turns out that Monique’s mother is hiding Sevrine and her family in their basement. Monique’s mother made Sevrine promise that she would never go into Monique’s bedroom while she was there because her mother did not want Monique to know about the hidden family. After that night Sevrine sees Monique as often as she can at night without disturbing her family. Since Sevrine is stuck in a basement Monique brings her things from outside to touch and smell. She brings in a butterfly that both Monique and Sevrine can’t take their eyes off of. It is at this time that Sevrine breaks down and explains how she misses her own home and celebrating the Jewish holidays. Monique and Sevrine release the butterfly into the night and Sevrine connects the butterfly flying to her and her family flying. At this moment the girls see that the neighbor, Monsieur Lendormy, has seen them. The girls know that Monique’s basement is no longer safe for Sevrine’s family so they quickly tell her mother what has happened. Now the race against time begins to get Sevrine and her family to safety. In the dark of the night the families walk in the woods and alleyways to reach the get away car. Sevrine and her family get into the car and ride away into the night. Monique can only hope that her new friend makes it to safety. Then in a crowded train station Monique gets separated from her mother trying to get home. She is forced on a train without her mother going in the wrong direction. Once the train comes to a stop Monique is forced to walk home, which she does successfully. Monique collapses into her bed and falls into a deep sleep still wondering where her mother could be. When she walks up she finds herself wrapped up in her mothers arms. They have both made it back home and are reunited. Weeks pass and the thought of Sevrine has never once left Monique’s mind. All she asks for is a sign to know if Sevrine and her family are safe. Just then a groups of butterflies fill the garden where Monique and her mother are sitting. A butterfly lands on Monique’s cheek and “kisses” her, which she takes as a sign that Sevrine and her family are alive and safe.

This was an amazing story to read and the illustrations that Polacco uses really brings the book to life. Polacco does an amazing job of really making you feel like you are a part of the scene through the description she uses and her illustrations. I found it very interesting that Monique and Monique’s mother are actually relatives of Polacco. This story is based on true events that happened to Polacco’s relatives. This story brings to life a very gruesome time in history and puts it into the point of view of a child. Hearing about an event like this from a child’s point of view is not something that is done very often. Teaching students about this difficult time in history can be very challenging for teachers. Using a book like “The Butterfly” can let students see how children their own age experienced those events.

I would keep this book in my classroom library because it is a very strong multicultural story. This story brings together families of different religions during unsafe times. It shows how even during the worst of times there are still people willing to step up and do the right thing. Hiding Sevrine and her family was a very risky thing for Monique’s mother to do. If anyone had found out about the hidden Jewish family everyone would have been endangered. This story shows how friendships can blossom at crazy times. It teachers students that friendships can form between people who are “different.” In some cases these differences might not even be visible. The holocaust was such an awful time in our history and to think about all the people who had to suffer just because of their religion is upsetting. This is a very important event in history because it greatly affected where we are today. Having a story like this in my classroom will allow my students to learn about this event through the eyes of a child.

MA Curriculum Framework

2. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

7. Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting).

8. Identify elements of fiction (e.g., characters, setting, plot, problem, solution) and elements of poetry (e.g., rhyme, rhythm, figurative language, alliteration, onomatopoeia).

Pirates

"Pirates"

Written and illustrated by: Gail Gibbons

Appropriate for grades 1-4

Nonfiction Informational

Have you ever dreamed of a life at sea? Searching for buried treasure with a new adventure around every corner? If so then, Ahoy Mateys! because it’s a pirates life for you. The book “Pirates” by Gail Gibbons, gives you a chance to learn about these robbers of the high sea that lived hundreds of years ago. From pirates to buccaneers and from cannonballs to the plank, this book has it all.

“Pirates” is a book about the pirates of the world throughout time. The book takes you through the history of pirates starting with the Greek and Roman pirates who once kidnapped the legendary Julius Caesar. Next the pirates pillaged their way down to the African coast. About 800 years later the pirates made their way to Spain. The pirates had the advantage in Spanish ports, due to the fact the Spanish traders sailed in large slow ships called galleons. “No ship was safe from the fierce and greedy pirates.” The pirate ships had many weapons to both attack and defend themselves from other sea folk. Pirates would use their cannons to shoot holes in both the sails and sides of the other boats. At times the pirates would even board the other ships with weapons and take not only the treasures on the boat but sometimes even the sailors themselves. For the sailors who didn’t want to join them, walking the plank was their fate. Pirates would split their new found treasure among themselves, some would spend it and some would draw a detailed map and bury their treasure to dig up later. As time went on new pirates came onto the scene. French, Dutch and English pirates were called buccaneers and the pirates appointed by the king and queen were called privateers.

The pictures are really what sold me on the book. To accompany the text, Gibbons puts in pictures of old maps and ships to show the reader what everything once looked like. The maps are what I enjoyed most. It shows the reader where the events occurred and the text tells you when. Gail Gibbons does a really nice job of putting illustrations in ways that are easy enough for young children to understand but at the same time are detailed enough to display the information accurately.

When it comes to informational text for children, Gail Gibbons is one of the best in the game. Her fun language and colorful and exciting pictures really make for a fun and informative read. One thing that I really give Gibbons credit for is not shying away from some of the more graphic things that pirates did. She sticks to the facts but puts it into a kid friendly manner. But more than anything what I liked about this book was the index of famous pirates Gibbons added at the end. It’s an index of both fictional and non-fictional pirates and an illustration of each. I thought that this was a really unique aspect that gives the reader a more in depth look from the bigger topic. “Pirates” is a really kid friendly but informative book about a fun and interesting topic to most elementary students.

MA Curriculum ELA Frameworks: students will understand key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas.