Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Title: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Author: Trudi Strain Trueit

Copyright Date: 2008

Publisher: The Child’s World

Possible Theme: Hero, Different Races, Civil Rights

Personal Response: This is a nonfiction book describing the life and good deeds of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The book tells facts along with giving poetry and songs that could be sung or recited in January to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. This book would be great for upper elementary. It is a bit “wordy” for younger elementary, but the songs and pictures are age appropriate.

Student Journal Entry: What did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accomplish during his life? Why is it important to celebrate this holiday? What are some things you can do to keep his dream alive for this generation?

Activity: Make a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Pin (as shown on page 28 in the book). 

Coyote

Title: Coyote

Author: Jalma Barrett

Copyright Date: 2000

Publisher: Blackbirch Press, Inc.

Possible Theme: Coyotes, Canines, Animal Behaviors

Personal Response: Coyote is a nonfiction book written for upper elementary telling facts about Coyotes. It would go superbly with a unit on canines or (as it my case) a week dedicated to Native American stories. The Native American people often used the coyote as a clever character. The students love to learn about real wild coyotes and compare them to their domesticated pet dogs at home.

Student Journal Entry: Use some of these vocabulary words and write a paragraph showing what you have learned about coyotes: den, howling, senses, pups, Alpha, Beta, habitat, and predator. 

Activity: Make a Venn-Diagram comparing coyotes and dogs or real coyotes and fictional coyotes (like in the Native American folklores) 

Pinduli

Title: Pinduli

Author: Janell Cannon

Copyright Date: 2004

Publisher: Harcourt Inc.

Possible Theme: Teasing, Self Acceptance, Hyenas

Personal Response: This story is perfect to introduce if you are having a problem with name calling and teasing in your classroom. It tells the story of a little Hyena named Pinduli that is teased by all the other animals. The climax is when Pinduli realizes that the animals are making fun of her because they have hurt feeling. It seems all the animals have been teased at some point. Everybody has gotten their feeling hurt by something mean being said and this story can help children understand that just because it was done to you doesn’t mean it is alright to do it to another person. It also shows that often the “bully” is lashing out because that is what they have seen done to them.

Student Journal Entry: What could you do if you see someone teasing a friend or classmate? Write a least one nice note to everyone in the classroom.

Activity: Draw a picture of the Ghost Pinduli then write a few sentences about what types of food were left for her.

Stellaluna

Title: Stellaluna

Author: Janell Cannon

Copyright Date: 1993

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Possible Theme: Individuality, Differences, Friendship, Bats  

Personal Response: Stellaluna is a beautiful book about being proud of who you are and following your own strengths even if others think it’s weird. Stellaluna is a bat that gets raised by birds. She learns that being ones self is important. This book shows children that it’s okay to be different and there is no “right” way to be. It also has a good message about being a “true friend”. Stellaluna discovers that being friends does not mean you have to be just like your friends in every way.   

Student Journal Entry: List some ways you are like your friends and some ways you are different. Why do you think that having diverse friendships is important?

Activity: Look up some real facts about fruit bats.

Jumanji

Title: Jumanji

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Copyright Date: 1981

Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Company

Possible Theme:  Adventure/Imagination

Personal Response: Jumanji is one of my all time favorite books. My dog is even named Jumanji (and trust me she is a wild little thing)! This book tells the story of two children that get trapped playing a board game that comes to life. It is perfect to get children predicting what could happen or imagine what might happen next. Jumanji is also the winner of the Caldecott Medal for its wonderfully creative illustrations.

Student Journal Entry: Which board game would you pick to become real? Would it be Chess, Candy Land, or something else? If there were a stampede coming down your neighborhood what would you do to get everyone out of the way?

Activity: Make some pretend Jumanji game cards. They can be funny or scary!