The Keeping Quilt

Patricia Polacco shares the legacy passed down from her Great Gramma Anna, a Jewish immigrant from Russia. The quilt is portrayed in vivid colors on each page. This contrast makes a bold statement against the rest of the book's charcoal illustrations.

Scholastic Encyclopedia of Women in the United States

Encyclopedias generally read alphabetically, but this on is understandably categorized by time and theme. The impressive anthology of women spans the 1500s to the 2000s. Chapter headings such as "Growth and conflict"--1800s-1880s; "Hard Times, Tough Choices" -- 1930s-1940; and "Woman Power!" -- 1970s to 2000s unite woman across the decades under a common theme.

Heroines of the American Revolution

Canon's text allows readers to connect with history through art. A full-coloring page accompanies each biographical selection.

Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares

Benjamin Franklin was a kid once. Apparently, he amused himself by constructing "magic squares"; these special grids house one numeral per square, and total the same sum whether you're adding vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. This Step Into Reading + Math text creatively integrates mathematics with reading and social studies.

The 50 Great States: A Hands-on Learning Game and Thematic Unit

Hooray for the United States! My sister and I loved this tune growing up:

What did Delaware to Georgia’s party down in Maryland?
She wore a New Jersey that Virginia bought in Michigan.
Did you see that Tennessee did see a saw in Arkansas?
For this silly song of states, Iowa big apology!

- Silly Song of States

Georgia for Children

It's a little dated, but the simple paragraphs and coloring pages integrate social studies, reading, and art. Definitely homework worthy, especially for those new to Georgia.

Sunshine Makes the Seasons

The sun is the only star in our solar system. I never think about it that way, even though shapes my daily existence. This is # 2 of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science.

Rain Forest Animals

I give you this text,  in honor of Georgia's rainy season.

Garage Sale 2.0 #7 & 8: I've Never Seen a Worm Like You & A Raindrop Hit My Nose

For the life of me, I can not get these photos flipped around! It's got to be something ridiculously simple, but I'm completely baffled. ANYHOO.

The rhymes in these two books teach readers about caterpillars turning into butterflies and the water cycle, respectively. Otherwise know as our amazing world. 

Garage Sale 2.0 #6: I Saw a Slimeball Wiggle

Meta-what??? Slimeballs transform themselves into frogs. Seriously. It's called metamorphosis. Ray Butram's Our Amazing World Series presents science in an engaging, colorful, format that is easy to grasp. This is the first in the series, and I was lucky enough to snag a few more!

Garage Sale 2.0 #6: Keep on Looking

More art! I'm not sure what this is a companion to, but it stands find on it's own. Paint, glue, and color yourself through!

Garage Sale 2.0 #1 Draw 50 Baby Animals

Drawing isn't for everyone. If you know a student who struggles to produce basic sketches, this book may be for him or her. Step-by-step illustrations are always helpful for visual learners. I'm attempting to expand the variety of texts in my library. The new additions include books about art, sports, and music. Speaking of which, I'm off to the Decatur Arts Festival this afternoon. Who knows what treasure awaits!

Daily Comprehension: May

I should have posted this a week ago. Better late than never!

Motivational Units for Spring: A Good Apple Seasonal Idea/Activity Book for Grades 2-6

Wise teachers anticipate spring fever and plan accordingly.

Puzzles, plays, personality tests, projects, puppet patterns -- you name it. If it starts with a p, this book has it. The other letters make an appearance too.  

Garage Sale Purchase # 9:101 and 1 Dalmations

More Disney...you can never have too much.

Garage Sale Purchase # 8: Dumbo

Disney books are the best! I grew up on these too. Literally. I wonder if the people down the street raided my basement and made a profit off of my zeal for all things familiar. Hmm, it can't hurt to have a couple of copies on hand...

Garage Sale Purchase # 7: The Elves and the Shoemaker

Classic. Hats off to whoever invented elves. Brilliant. There's your creative introduction to deus ex machina. 

Journal Writing: Primary

- Journal Cover Templates
- Cross-content area writing Prompts
- Penmanship

Grammar, Usage & Mechanics

Day 7: The 20 day count down to the CRCT is on! Test prep is the name of the game for my 3rd.-5th graders. The following few posts are for all you diligent students and teachers, honing your test-taking craft. 

P.S.

Is it just me, or should there be a comma after "usage"? The title is clearly a list of items. 

About Insects: A Guide for Children

Wonderful instructional text for children! No gross photos either. My kindergarteners appreciated that.Cathryn and John Sill form an excellent team to communicate basic life science through text and detailed illustrations. It's amazing how much information you can gather from a realistic illustration.