When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Somehow I'm on the verge of tears every time I finish this book. Jessie is a bright-eyed 13 year old who braves the Atlantic alone in search of new life in America. The rabbi of her little village in Europe hand chose Jessie to apprentice at a lace shop in New York. But the move separates Jessie from Grandmother -- her only living relative. Adjusting to life in a new country is full of challenges such as language, culture, and new laws. However, Jessie finds that the strong Jewish community embraces her with open arms. She diligently writes letters to Grandmother about her new life, learning, and budding romance. Readers follow their correspondence back-and-forth across the ocean until the two reunite in New York City.
Lexile: 0470L

Shiloh

It's a classic tale of a boy and his dog. Who could resist rescuing that cute little beagle?

The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip

Ms. Frizzle's class is learning about electricity when lightening strikes -- literally. Power is out all over the neighborhood, but no worries! Here comes the magic school bus to the rescue. This charged adventure with the Friz (America's favorite science teacher) will have readers on the edge of their seats.

AD490L

Daily Comprehension July

Rube Goldberg was the man behind the machine. This American cartoonist was born on July 4th, 1883. How did he wind up becoming a beloved American cartoonist? Read the book to find out. Or stop by his webpage.

50 Great Americans

Anne Schraff's short reading selections cover well known figures such as Sacajawea and Andrew Carnegie, as well as lesser-known figures such as Jessie Benton Fremont. Alongside her husband, Fremont was writer who helped California establish statehood. Each short story in this collection is followed by an activity, i.e. matching, comprehension questions, and a class discussion guide.

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.  

I Thought My Soul Would Rise: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, Mars Bluff, South Carolina, 1865 (Dear America Series)

Can I just say how much I love the Dear America Diary series? For the die-hard curious (or ultimate snoop) such as myself, there's nothing like being able page through someone's innermost thoughts. That's not all -- story's such as Patsy's offer a life-like glimpse into the past.  Did I mention that next to English/Language Arts, Social Studies is my favorite subject? Oh Dear America, you do both so well!

Joyce Hansen is a wonderful fiction and non-fiction writer. She infuses her works with a since of hope, carrying the theme across centuries and culture.

Multicultural Folk Tales

As the cover lists, this text is a resource for literature based instruction. Some of the Social Studies info is out of date, but the folk tales do provide context for teaching across the content areas. Visual learners will appreciate the graphic organizers galore! On the flip side, teachers who despise creating the former will really appreciate this text.

Just Jump

Mabel E. Singletary is a seasoned elementary school teacher who writes authentic children's fiction. The premiere book in the Double Dutch series introduces six friends: Tanya, Ming, Rachel, Carla, Lindsey, and Nancy. The girls enter pursue their favorite passtime by entering the statewide Double Dutch competition. Forming a winning team challenges the girls to unite. These elementary students learn to appreciate their strength in diversity, working towards a common goal.

The Road To Mephis

It's 1941 and prejudice is alive in well in Mississippi. The racial tension has not changed, but the Logan children have grown into men and women. This final novel in Roll of Thunder trilogy is a thrilling man-against-society narrative. Cassie is nearly grown up, and finishing school. Stacey is a working man with his own car. When a lazy afternoon goes terribly wrong, Cassie and Stacey find themselves whisking away a dear friend on a whirlwind journey to Memphis, desperately attempting to save his life. The long journey only takes a matter of hours, but the travelers find themselves altered forever once they reach their destination. In this Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel, World War II, unplanned pregnancy, and substance abuse collide against to backdrop of deeply divided South.

Let the Circle Be Unbroken

Times are hard for everyone during the Great Depression, but Black share-croppers suffer uniquely under economic oppression. The Logans face more pressure than ever before to sell their land. But Papa will never let the family land change hands, no matter what the cost. As Mama and Papa labor to keep the family afloat, Cassie and her brothers struggle to navigate the world as young adults. Being a young woman means that Cassie doesn't get to do everything with the guys as she's always done. Becoming a young man puts Cassie's older brother at odds with his parents – to the point of running away from home. The Logans fight to keep hold their family together as internal division and external pressure threaten to rip their fragile relationships apart. Cassie learns that it is worth the effort, because family is all that matters in the end.

The New African Americans

The New African Americans explores the trajectory of post slavery African immigration to the United States. This instructional text highlights a growing sector the African American community which is often marginalized He examines the distinct ethnic groups who have settled across the country and the cultural wealth the contribute to our nation. Ashabranner emphasizes the diverse reasons for immigration, such as education, employment, and or refugee status. This text is an excellent introduction to immigration, the African diaspora, and the 21^st. century African American community.

The Sining Man

Banzar is an oral historian and traditional Nigerian Musician. Angela Shelf Medearis deftly address the tension between following one's heart verses societal norms. Banzar chooses to become a musician, a choice which results in rejection from his Village near Lagos, Nigeria. This West African folktale comes to life through the realistic oil and pencil illustrations by Terea Shaffer. Like the Biblical Joseph, Medearis writes about rejection, grief, courage, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Lake and the Big Snake: An African Rain Forest Adventure

Isaac Olaleye recalls his childhood memories of Nigeria in this exciting friendship story. Two young boys brave a deadly snake, quick sand, and their own shortcomings in a quest that teaches them the value of good friends.

1-4

Mary Mcleod Bethune

Mcleod Bethune is my hero. I want to be just like her when I grow up. Here are a few reasons why...

1. She loved books!
2. She graduated from the Moody Bible Institute.
3. She wanted to serve as a missionary in Africa...God had other plans though :)
4. She founded multiple schools.
5. She advocated for those in need, particularly Black children and women.
6. She adorned herself in bright hues and rich fabrics.
7. She was a devoted wife and mother.
8. She advised the president on his youth educational programs.
9. She cherished the Word of God.
10. She was one of our nation's greatest educators, and her legacy continues bless young and old today. 
    
    

    Mary McLeod Bethune: A Great American Educatorby Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick L. McKissack
    

    
    
    The structure of this 3rd. grade biographical texts flows extremely well. Most books about Mrs. Mcleod Bethune include the same photos and excerpts of original document. The Cornerstones series does these artifacts justice by formating them to precisely to the text. Upper middle grade students will find this a helpful resource for research projects, while lower grades will benefit from read alouds.

The First Four Years

It's official! Laura has agreed to marry Almonzo "Manly" Wilder. They wed in a simple ceremony to the displeasure of Almonzo's mother and sisters, who had something a little bit larger in mind. Some things change very little over the years : ) Besides saying "I do", Laura also agreed to be a farm wife for three years. Manly promised her that if he doesn't make a successful living for them by that time, he'll move anywhere Laura desires. Sounds reasonable...right? Now the question is whether or not these young newly-weds can make it through the first three years. Farm life on the South Dakota prairie is challenging, to say the least. Add a baby to that mix and your work is definitely cut out for you! The pioneer spirit of The Little House books have enthralled generations of American readers; you'll have to read this conclusion to the series *tear, sniff, sniff* to discover whether or not that pioneer spirit is enough to sustain Laura and Almonzo through the harsh reality of prairie life.

These Happy Golden Years

"Only yesterday she was a schoolgirl; now she was a school teacher. This had happened so suddenly... But tomorrow she would be teaching school.


She did not really know how to do it. She never had taught school, and she was not sixteen years old yet. Even for fifteen, she was small; and now she felt very small." -Chapter One

The cover of this book depicts a confident looking young woman joining hands with smitten young man. There is so much more to the story, although Laura and Almonzo's budding romance is a definite theme. Laura transitions from childhood to adulthood as she assumes classroom responsibilities far from home.  The distance tears at her heart, but she does it because of her love for the ones she holds close. Life is ironic like that. These Happy Golden Years poignantly illustrates time's bittersweet beauty, celebrating the wonder and of novelty of young adulthood in the midst of childhood lost.  

Little Town on the Prairie

Laura is a teacher! As a bright student and a dutiful sister, Laura acquires her teacher certification so that she can support older sister Mary's education at the college for the blind. Talk about a dedicated fifteen year old. Just thinking of her entering her classroom for the first time thrills me to the core! On a side note, tomorrow I begin my final student teaching assignment at a Decatur Elementary school. Laura Ingalls Wilder's relentless curiosity and thirst for learning have always inspired me.  In some small way, she deserves credit for my current career track. You're my hero, Laura! Apparently Almonzo Wilder thought she was too cool for school himself. He requests permission to walk her home from church *OOOHOOOH*, heralding a new season of friendship...and more to come! Ahh, there's nothing better than a coming of age- teacher tale with a side of heart-flutters and sweet nothings.