Pinkalicious and the Perfect Present
by Victoria Kann (Author, Illustrator)
Booktalk: Shh! When Pinkalicious finds the perfect thing at a yard sale, it’s not for her–it’s for her mom! (I Can Read Book 1)
Snippet:
“Wow, look at that!” I gasped.
I saw something that
was better than all the rest.
It was pinkaperfect!
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes
by Roseanne Greenfield Thong (Author) and John Parra (Illustrator)
Booktalk: A book of shapes for Cinco de Mayo today…
Snippet:
Round are sombreros.
Round is the moon.
Round are the trumpets
that blare out a tune.
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
What are Olympic distances really like? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: High-Tech Olympics by Nick Hunter (ATOS 6.4 / 970L)
Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “What are Olympic distances really like?” Students will be grouped into five teams and given an identifying number or name. They will use an Olympic record database to locate distances, lengths, or heights of sports in the track and field events and record them. Then they will measure the equivalent distance in the library, classroom, or hallways and mark the distance with a sticky note to show the measurement. They will compare their results and discuss them.
The Library Activity begins on page 84. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 86.
Extension Activities (sample)
1. Have the students use their metric conversions and change them to standard units. Add another set of columns to the graphic organizer if you choose. Or have them use a metric calculator online (http://www.conversion-metric.org/).
2. Pre-write the distances or heights on the graphic organizer for the students to measure in the library and halls.
3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a technology specialist. I know that _________.”
You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Death Spiral: A Faith Flores Science Mystery
by Janie Chodosh (Author)
Booktalk: When loner Faith Flores finds her mother dead of an apparent overdose, she refuses to believe that’s the case. Sure, her mom made some bad decisions, but leaving her daughter would never be one of them. Unfortunately, the cops are all too eager to close the case and move on, sending a distraught and unsatisfied Faith to live with her Aunt T in the suburbs of Philadelphia. But a note from Melinda, her mom’s junkie friend, prompts Faith to begin digging, igniting her passion in science and her need for answers…
Snippet: I’ve just reached his side when I hear the scuffling of feet behind me. I look over my shoulder and see a security guard with a face like a baked ham heading my direction. “Everything okay, sir?” he asks, settling his meaty frame protectively in front of Glass.
“Wait, please,” I beg before Glass can give the order to have me hauled off. “I need to talk with you about the clinical trial for RNA 120.”
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Justice League Classic: I Am the Flash
by John Sazaklis (Author), Steven E. Gordon (Illustrator), and Eric A. Gordon (Illustrator)
Booktalk: Central City is overrun with super-villains after Ultra-Humanite organizes a jailbreak. The Flash zips into action. With some help from his friends in the Justice League, can the Scarlet Speedster give these criminals a speedy trip back where they belong? (I Can Read Book 2)
Snippet:
Barry is working
when he sees a breaking
news report on the television.
All of the super-villains
have broken out of jail!
“It’s time to speed things up,”
Barry says.
In the blink of an eye,
Barry become the Flash!
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
by Dan Santat (Author, Illustrator)
Booktalk: On an island far away, an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey…
Snippet:
He sailed though unknown waters
and faced many scary things.
Preview the book in the 2:36 The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend book trailer.
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Secrets of the Apple Tree
by Carron Brown (Author) and Alyssa Nassner (Illustrator)
Booktalk: Explore a tree up close and you will find a world filled with great surprises! When you shine a light behind the page, you will see hidden wonders!
Snippet:
A fly whirs up
the tree trunk.
Something is
hiding on the
bark. Can you
see what is it?
See how to shine a light on the book in the 1:00 Secrets of the Apple Tree book trailer.
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
How have astronauts and space travel changed since the early space program? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Man on the Moon by Anastasia Suen (ATOS 2.2 / NC860L)
Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “How have astronauts and space travel changed since the early space program?” As they listen to the book, students will notice what equipment and items astronauts use and think about how images in a book contribute to a better understanding of the text. They will view images from the current space program and compare the changes they see in them to the space program in its early days. Using a picture from the text, students will describe the sensations that might result from a splash down and then discuss the changes they have learned taking place in the space program by writing about them or comparing them in a discussion.
The Library Activity begins on page 92. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 96.
Extension Activities (sample)
1. Choose an astronaut listed on the NASA website Have the students read about an astronaut and report on that person.
2. Teach a lesson on phases of the moon.
3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a technology specialist.. I know that _________.”
You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Jasmine and Maddie
by Christine Pakkala (Author)
Booktalk: To grieving Jasmine, Maddie’s a rich kid with no problems. To lonely Maddie, Jasmine is all cavalier-cool in their tame Connecticut town. True friends they are not. Yet each hopes the other might save her. Can Maddie give Jasmine what she needs? Could Jasmine rescue Maddie from the outskirts of the crowd? When Jasmine steals Maddie’s heirloom ring, just how far will she go to keep it? In alternating chapters, Maddie and Jasmine take turns weaving their story about friendship and coming of age.
Snippet: Mr. Carty talks a bit about Emily Dickinson’s life. I hear: Amherst, Massachusetts; recluse; wore white; wrote 1,800 poems. Mr. Carty reads us one of her poems about wild nights. Sounds like it was wishful thinking on her part.
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Hank Finds an Egg
by Rebecca Dudley (Author, Illustrator)
Booktalk: While walking through the woods, Hank finds an egg all alone on the forest floor. Spotting its home high up in a tree, Hank diligently tries to return the egg to its nest, but is met with failure each time. After keeping the egg warm overnight, he returns to the scene the next morning. To his surprise, he is met by another forest creature. Will they find a way together to see the egg safely home?
Snippet:
See inside this wordless gem in the 1:17 Hank Finds an Egg book trailer.
Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.