The Apple Tree- A Modern Day Cherokee Story
By: Sandy Tharp-Thee
Tharp-Thee, Sandy. The Apple Tree. The Roadrunner Press, 2015.
https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Modern-Cherokee-Story-English/
More About the Book and Author Found Here!
Genre: Bilingual Picture Book
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Summary:
This captivating story tells about a young Cherokee boy who plants an apple seed, envisioning the beautiful apple tree it will grow to be. However, the first fall that it lives through it does not produce apple, and the tree begins to doubt itself. The boy needs to find a way to convince the tree that he must be patient, and let the seasons perform their natural powers! This story includes both English language and Cherokee syllabary for readers of all ages to learn from!
Target Audience:
The target audience for this book is for children between the ages of 5-6 (no Readability Lexile given). This book teaches great morals to young children, such as holding a deep appreciation for nature and the importance of patience. It also exposes young children to a culture different then their own, since it is a Cherokee rooted story with the language included.
Evaluating the Story:
Based on Donna Norton's elements for quality literature, this serves as a great picture book for children because the context flows well with the illustrations. The theme of the story is easily identified, and the cultural mixture offers children a valuable read. It also emphasizes cultural respect, since the story derived from the Cherokee nation.
Reader Response Activity:
For this activity, students will be examining the Cherokee syllabary provided in the book. Students can learn some of their meanings, practice writing them on whiteboards, and working in partners to have fun learning a different language other than their own! This image is provided in the book already, too, so copies of it could be made for individuals to write on or it could be displayed on an over-head projector, too, as another option!
Why Should I Recycle?
By: Jen Green
Green, Jen. Why Should I Recycle? B.E.S Publishing, 2005.
More About the Book and Author Found Here!
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/why-should-i-recycle-by-jen-green/
Genre: Picture book- Online Materials
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Summary:
Can you try to imagine what the world would look like if everybody threw away recyclables? Join Mr. Jones, a classroom teacher, on a field trip to the recycling plant to learn the value of recycling. Mr. Jones, himself, serves as a great example for the class of being environmentally conscious, because he has his students recycle in the classroom. Children learn and develop through asking various questions about the world around them, and this book will help answer the exact question of just why they should recycle. This book specifically focuses on the importance of protecting nature, and provides entertaining stories and illustrations page after page.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this book is for children between 4 to 8 years old, with a Readability Lexile of 690L. This is a great introductory story to exposing kids to environmental action because so many common questions get answered in one book, and teachers and parents could enact in a plethora of activities to follow the reading!
Evaluating the Story:
Based on Donna Norton's elements of quality literature, this book is fantastic for children who want to know more about the environment. It provides various questions that may be frequently asked which correlates beautifully with the colorful illustrations on every page. There are no types of stereotypes in the book, and it encourages people of all walks of life to participate in keeping the Earth clean.
Reader Response Activity:
For this activity, you, as the teacher will be challenged to encourage recycling within the classroom! Put up more signs near the trash to enforce "recycling," so that it is not easily overlooked. Another fun challenge could be for the class to bring in as many cans as they can. After the given period of time, they can scrap the materials and use the money and apply it to a pizza party in celebration! I think this would be a great activity because since this book is focused on a younger audience, tying this action to a reward may stick with them more until it becomes a good habit. I also have included a read aloud for this book as well, because it may be fun for the class to listen to!
Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling
By: Alison Inches & Pete Whitehead
Inches, A. & Pete Whitehead. Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling. Little Simon, 2009.
http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Adventures-of-a-Plastic-Bottle/Alison-Inches/Little-Green-Books/9781416967880
More About the Book and Author Found Here!
http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Adventures-of-a-Plastic-Bottle/Alison-Inches/Little-Green-Books/9781416967880
Genre: Picture book
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Summary:
Dive into a new perspective of recycling through the diary of a plastic bottle! Young readers will learn the timeline from its life in the refinery plant, moving to the manufacturing line, onto the store shelf, into the garbage can, and all the way to the recycling plant where it is able to be reused to create something new- a fleece jacket! This book offers kids the viewpoint and thoughts of a plastic bottle through his personal journey. While these entries are fun to read, they also offer useful information to young readers about the ecological significance of each product. Now, they may never think the same way about just a silly old plastic bottle!
Dive into a new perspective of recycling through the diary of a plastic bottle! Young readers will learn the timeline from its life in the refinery plant, moving to the manufacturing line, onto the store shelf, into the garbage can, and all the way to the recycling plant where it is able to be reused to create something new- a fleece jacket! This book offers kids the viewpoint and thoughts of a plastic bottle through his personal journey. While these entries are fun to read, they also offer useful information to young readers about the ecological significance of each product. Now, they may never think the same way about just a silly old plastic bottle!
Target Audience:
The target audience for this book is for children between the ages of 4 to 6 years old (no Readability Lexile given). This story is a great way to introduce the concept of recycling and being environmentally conscious to young children, because the process is explained to them through appropriate language which they would understand. It is also humorous, which makes it enjoyable instead of just being a mundane factual book.
The target audience for this book is for children between the ages of 4 to 6 years old (no Readability Lexile given). This story is a great way to introduce the concept of recycling and being environmentally conscious to young children, because the process is explained to them through appropriate language which they would understand. It is also humorous, which makes it enjoyable instead of just being a mundane factual book.
Evaluating the Story:
Based on Donna Norton's elements for a quality picture book, this story excels! The context correlates so well with the colorful illustrations, and it is highly informative. It's character does not depict any kind of stereotyping, and encourages people of all ages to recycle. The theme of the story is easily identifiable, and a variety of activities could be paired with this book to further the understanding of the concept. Another element that this connects deeply to for children is the care for the environment that it encourages, which children already have a natural connection to.
Based on Donna Norton's elements for a quality picture book, this story excels! The context correlates so well with the colorful illustrations, and it is highly informative. It's character does not depict any kind of stereotyping, and encourages people of all ages to recycle. The theme of the story is easily identifiable, and a variety of activities could be paired with this book to further the understanding of the concept. Another element that this connects deeply to for children is the care for the environment that it encourages, which children already have a natural connection to.
Reader Response Activity:
For this activity, give each student a large piece of construction paper. Then, have them attempt to draw the different places the plastic bottle made its journey to! Since this book is for younger readers, it may be easier to have them listed on the board in order. However, having them draw out pictures that they saw from the story and making connections to the words will further their understanding of the process, since it might be a little much to grasp. This is a fun activity that allows students to be creative while displaying an important ecological process!
All the Way to the Ocean
By: Joel Harper
Harper, J. All the Way to the Ocean. Freedom Three Publishing, 2006.
http://www.allthewaytotheocean.com/
More About the Book and Author Found Here!
http://www.allthewaytotheocean.com/
Genre: Picture book
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Summary:
Join Isaac and James, two best friends, who discover the cause and effect of the relationship between city storm drains and the world's oceans, lakes and rivers. This story will inspire young readers about life lessons and real world issues, and if we all do our part, we can achieve a cleaner, safer environment.
Join Isaac and James, two best friends, who discover the cause and effect of the relationship between city storm drains and the world's oceans, lakes and rivers. This story will inspire young readers about life lessons and real world issues, and if we all do our part, we can achieve a cleaner, safer environment.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this class is for children between the ages of 6 to 8 years old (no Readability Lexile given). This story is great because it discusses the underground world of polluted waters that students may be unaware of. This is a great book because it has amazing graphics and appropriately introduces these challenging topics to a younger audience.
The target audience for this class is for children between the ages of 6 to 8 years old (no Readability Lexile given). This story is great because it discusses the underground world of polluted waters that students may be unaware of. This is a great book because it has amazing graphics and appropriately introduces these challenging topics to a younger audience.
Evaluating the Story:
Based on Donna Norton's elements for a quality picture book, this story is a great read. The context flows well with each illustration, and children are able to easily identify the theme of the story. The characters do not depict any sort of stereotypes, and it encourages a great life lesson to children. It makes sure to emphasize the effects of the garbage in the ocean and the ways it impacts plants and animals, making them sick. Students will not only enjoy the story, but learn valuable information as well and how to keep their world healthy.
Based on Donna Norton's elements for a quality picture book, this story is a great read. The context flows well with each illustration, and children are able to easily identify the theme of the story. The characters do not depict any sort of stereotypes, and it encourages a great life lesson to children. It makes sure to emphasize the effects of the garbage in the ocean and the ways it impacts plants and animals, making them sick. Students will not only enjoy the story, but learn valuable information as well and how to keep their world healthy.
Reader Response Activity:
For this activity, students will be watching the short film of this book! It is a great way to see the story come to life, and it is both humorous and informative. After the video is done, you can have a class discussion about the film, ask for individual thoughts and ideas, and then reinforce the importance of keeping our oceans clean.
You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Clean Water!
By: Roger Canavan & David Antram
Canavan, R. & David Antram. You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Clean Water! Scholastic, 2014)
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/you-wouldn-t-want-to-live-without-clean-water-by-roger-canavan/
More About the Book and Author Found Here!
Genre: Picture book
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Summary:
The importance of having clean water is incredibly more important than many students (and even adults!) may think. It is a resource that often gets taken for granted. This book is bursting with essential facts about our very own life source. Readers will learn about the ways water keeps us healthy, the different ways it is used around the world, and the true importance of it! It includes appropriate diagrams, timelines, cartoon-style illustrations, and panels about conducting your very own water experiments. It is grade appropriate, so the context is easier to comprehend by determining academic words and phrases.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this book is for children between the ages of 8-12 years old, with a Readability Lexile of 1070L. This book is for early middle-grade readers who are looking for answers to different questions about water, which can be easily navigated throughout the book. Plus, they will walk away with knowledge on scientific events, too!
Evaluating the Story:
Based on Donna Norton's elements of a picture book, this book is the epitome of awesome! It has all of the right elements of meshing the illustrations with the context, and it provides students with evidence throughout the reading to help them determine academic language and phrases. It is humorous, provides different visuals, and even includes different activities for kids to experiment with, too! An enjoyable read, with fantastic opportunities for interaction and expansion beyond the book.
Reader Response Activity:
For this activity, students will be following a polluted water experiment of their own! I found a fun activity online from a blogger named "JDaniel4's Mom." Her experiment includes filling up a bin or tub with clean water, then placing commonly found bits of garbage into it, such as plastic bottles, caps, empty containers, dirt, cans, etc. From here, students will see just how gross the water can get from a few items. After, they can take turns removing all of the objects from the bin. Then, they will try filtering the water to see how polluted it really was. Will it come out clean, or will it still remain a dingy color? That is for them to discover! Also, it would be great to have a discussion afterwards about everything that happened, to further allow students to comprehend the activity and it's purpose.
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