From There to Here

From There to Here
by Laurel Croza (Author) and Matt James (Illustrator)

Booktalk: A little girl and her family have just moved across the country by train. Their new neighborhood in the city of Toronto is very different from their home in the Saskatchewan bush, and at first everything about “there” seems better than “here.”

Snippet:
There. Dad drove home each day to eat lunch with us.
Here. Dad is’t home until supper. Mom calls it dinner now.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Let’s Dance, Grandma!

Let’s Dance, Grandma!
by Nigel McMullen (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: More than anything, Lucy loves to dance. But her mother warns her not to try to dance when her grandma comes to visit, because grandmas simply do not dance.

Snippet: But this time Lucy couldn’t help herself. The first thing she said when Mom had gone was, “Dance, Grandma, dance?”

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

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.
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Secrets of the Apple Tree

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.

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Teaching STEM: Man on the Moon

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)

Man on the moon

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.

TeachingSTEM.medThe 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.
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Hank Finds an Egg

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.
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On the Move: Mass Migrations

On the Move: Mass Migrations
by Scotti Cohn (Author) and Susan Detwiler (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Imagine seeing hundreds of the same type of animal gathered at the same place at the same time! Right here in North America, many animals gather in huge numbers at predictable times and locations. Not all migrations are tied to seasonal food changes, some are tied to life cycles. Certain birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, fish, and even insects migrate during spring, summer, fall, or winter. Travel along with them as you learn about what puts these animals On the Move.

Snippet: Spring swoops onto the prairie on a brisk, bold breeze. A warbling, trumpeting, chirping noise gets louder and louder. Soon hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes fill the sky. They’re on the move!

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Can You See Me?

Can You See Me?
by Ted Lewin (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: With simple text and lush watercolor illustrations, Caldecott Honor winner Ted Lewin invites readers to explore animal camouflage in the rain forest in this beginning reader.

Snippet:
I’m a bird.
Can you see me?

On the last page of the book, the bird appears in a small circle with the label, TOUCAN.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Easter Bunny on the Loose!: A Seek and Solve Mystery!

Easter Bunny on the Loose!: A Seek and Solve Mystery!
by Wendy Wax (Author) and Dave Garbot (Illustrator)

Booktalk: The Easter Bunny can’t wait to hippity-hop his way to deliver all the Easter eggs this year! The only problem is . . . there are no eggs! Some-bunny has taken the Easter Bunny’s golden egg, and without the golden egg, Easter is on HOLD. Can you sort through all of the possible suspects hopping about Easterville and find the culprit who stole the golden egg?

Snippet: Emergency in Easterville! One of these suspects stole the Easter Bunny’s Golden Egg! The Easter Bunny is on the lookout for clues that the egg-snatcher left behind. It’s up to you to figure out who did it.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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