A Winkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

L'Engle, M. (1962). A wrinkle in time. NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

After reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, there is no doubt this is a fantasy book. This book takes place on Earth as well as other settings that are mystical. The characters in the book face a villain with much power and control with odds that are not great. Even though there is a struggle being faced, the heroin (Meg) prevails over evil by believing and digging deep within herself. For younger students, I think they would have a harder time in understanding the “wrinkle” in time with time and space travel. For someone who is not really into this type of fantasy or science it would be a book that may have to be reread or clarified.

I really enjoyed how the main character, Meg must learn something in order to be successful and succeed over evil. As a reader you root for the characters to overcome and conquer evil. This is one thing about this book that keeps the reader interested and wanting to continue reading. While reading, you ask yourself or you could ask students, “Will Meg save her brother?” “Will they find their father and make it back home?” “Will they successfully beat IT”

I would recommend this book to grades 4 and higher.

Where The Wild Things Are

Where The Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: Harper & Row Publishers.

            One of my earliest memories of reading on my own is reading Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. This is a classic book that tells the story of Max and The Wild Things. I love how the pictures look like they have been drawn with pencil, and colored in once Max gets to where the Wild Things are. Her use of line is incredible. Each object in the pictures has been colored in with thin lines to add detail to the picture. The pictures seem rough which add to the story of these Wild Things and where they live.

As a child this story captured my imagination of being able to go to another place or land; the freedom of doing what you want with no fear, but still being able to come back home to a nice supper and warm bed. I love reading this book to my own students and hearing what kind of land or place they would like to go. What kind of animals or Wild Things would you come across? If you were a Wild Thing what would look, sound, or be like? The text is simple, but the pictures add detail to the story that as a reader you have to fill. I like being able to build my own story in my mind, and teaching my students to do the same thing. I would recommend this book to everyone!

The Grouchy Ladybug

The Grouchy Ladybug

 Carle, E. (1996). The grouchy ladybug. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

            I chose another Eric Carle book to really get an understanding of his style in creating picture books. I have talked before about his unique design in his books and illustrations. In addition to great text and pictures that go hand in hand, he often creates a story by using a different book format. The page layouts in The Grouchy Ladybug start out on normal double page layouts. The fifth page is the beginning of the new page layout. The text is small and close to the binding of the book. The page after it is the picture and a clock at the top showing the time related to the text. The page however, is only about an inch and a half wide. Each following page gets slightly bigger, as the animals get bigger. As an adult this catches my attention and I want to continue to read the book. I could only imagine what children must think when they read this book. I love that he includes an analog clock to help tell the story and show the time that is in the text.

Questions: What time is shown on the clock? (Before reading the text on the particular pages) Why do you think the ladybug is so grouchy? What is each animal the ladybug wants to fight doing when they may have to fight another animal?

The Very Busy Spider

The Very Busy Spider

Carle, E. (1984). The very busy spider. New York: Philomel Books.

Eric Carle is one of the top children’s book authors and illustrators. His unique design has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults. Both the text and illustrations help tell the story of this picture book.

The visual elements I think are what catch the reader’s eyes in any of Eric Carle’s books. I watched a video clip of Eric Carle explaining how he creates his artwork for his books. He uses paper and paints the sheet with a color he needs. For example, the pig on page 11, he could have made the peach and red colors using different color tones in brush strokes. Later he cuts the paper into the shapes he need and builds the picture. In this case a pig. You can clearly see the brush strokes and the use of color in all of his pictures.

Students love his books because they are so simple. Children can relate to the simple stories and pictures. I have found that children remember the stories easily and can retell them with easy. My own son asked for the different animal books and I know that he wants to read Eric Carle books. I would recommend his books to other parents, teachers, and friends.

Questions: Why does the spider not answer each animal? What can you say about hard work? Does it pay off in the end?

Faithful Elephants A True Story of Animals, People and War

Faithful Elephants A True Story of Animals, People and War

Tsuchiya. (1988). Faithful elephants a true story of animals, people and war. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

The text is a picture book that can be used to teach many different topics. The pictures are different, like they used water color to create them. It makes sense now, because you almost want to cry while reading this book. The text is very visual and it is a very sad story to read. I think if I read this to my students I would have a hard time reading it to them. I think it would be good to read to students knowing how life, people, and war can really be.

          The book is gets suspenseful while reading. As a reader you want to know what is going to happen, but in a way you don’t want to know because it is so sad. As a teacher, you could use one of the pictures to show and have students write what they see. The students could build their writing skills to reach a reader’s feelings and emotions. This book does a great job at getting the reader’s attention and pulling on the reader’s heart strings.

          I would ask the question as to how others have used this book in class. I feel that it would lead to great discussion, but for an older audience. The older students may have a better time talking and appreciating the text. This is a text that I would use in class for a different mood and a more serious talk. I could see using this text in social studies. I would recommend this book to other teachers!

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! By A. Wolf

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! By A. Wolf

Scieszka. (1989). The true story of the three little pigs! by a. wolf. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

I choose to read this book because it is such a great book to teach with. It is a great picture book that captures the classic The Three Little Pigs in a new light. I love to teach point of view with my students using this picture book. Point of view is a new standard in third grade. Students love to use books to connect to their learning. They may think they are just using a book in their lesson, but it helps to engage and give meaning to the students.

The plot of this story relates to the class story The Three Little Pigs, but adds new details because it is written from the Wolf’s point of view. I have used this story as a reader’s theater with my students and they love it. I found a site that took this story and broke it up into different parts. The students love to act out the story. I have found that by using this story and the classic Three Little Pigs, my students can compare and contrast the two stories easily. Comparing text on a similar topic is another state standard that we are required to teach.

Questions I would have about this book are how to use it in another way to teach some of the new standards. The students love to use and read this book in class that I would like to relate it to more standards.

About Me

My name is Bethany Endicott and I teach in the Kenton County School District. I have taught Kindergarten for one year, and third grade for two. I enjoy teaching third grade. The students are young enough that they still want to impress you. I can still be a kid and act goofy while teaching with them. I love to teach and look for the "light bulb" to come on each day with my students. When teaching, I try to make lessons as engaging as possible. I like to make hands on activities and get each student involved in their learning.

I have a son who is three this month and I am now seven months pregnant with a little girl. I have been very busy with family, teaching, and graduate school. I am about halfway through the masters program, and hope to be finished by the end of summer.