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As a natural lover of reading, one thing I had to rewire my brain about when I started working with kiddos is how some of them do not enjoy reading. They would rather stare at a wall than read for 20 minutes. When this topic is brought to me by teachers it is often connected with boys. Yes, there are many boys who enjoy reading, but historically teachers and parents have a more difficult time getting their boys excited about reading. I am a firm believer that there is a book out there for everyone and if you find the perfect fit for your students (boy or girl), it can be a game changer. Keep reading for tips and strategies to encourage boys to read more. And. . . these tips work for girls too. Throughout the years, I have definitely discovered how reading isn’t every boy’s favorite pastime.
Do you know what the coolest thing about graphic novels is? They weave captivating tales with eye-catching illustrations, ensuring that your readers will be hooked! These books are more than just stories – they’re a gateway to far-off lands and new dimensions. I have something special lined up just for you. I’ve gathered the most popular graphic novels, both fiction and nonfiction, that are absolutely perfect for your 3rd – 5th graders. They have everything from epic quests that’ll keep everyone on the edge of their seats to heartwarming stories. These graphic novel recommendations will take your young learners on incredible adventures they’ll cherish forever. Why Should I Include Graphic Novels in My Collection? Graphic novels are the ultimate blend of storytelling and illustrations. They’re a magical mashup of words and art that creates an exciting reading experience like no other! It’s like reading a comic book but with
The 2023 Caldecott Medal award winner will be announced January 30, 2023, which means it’s time for my predictions on which book will take home the top prize and who will be runner-up. The ALA awards will be given out sometime in mid-January. Members of the Caldecott committee work hard all year to choose the book they think is deserving of this distinguished award. Members of the committee read thousands of picture books throughout the year. Then they must narrow their choices down to 7 titles each. Once they have this much smaller list, they spend hours debating about which book should receive the top honor. Every year I always come up with my own list of titles that I believe will be contenders. This year I have come up with 15 books that I believe should be on the list (although I have not read nearly as many
The 2022 Caldecott Medal award winner will be announced in just a few weeks, which means it’s time for my predictions on which book will take home the top prize and who will be runner-up. The ALA awards will be given out sometime in mid-January. Members of the Caldecott committee work hard all year to choose the book they think is deserving of this distinguished award. Members of the committee read thousands of picture books throughout the year. Then they must narrow their choices down to 7 titles each. Once they have this much smaller list, they spend hours debating about which book should receive the top honor. Every year I always come up with my own list of titles that I believe will be contenders. This year I have come up with 15 books that I believe should be on the list (although I have not read nearly
Teaching students about character traits in reading is important but can be difficult to do. Character traits are such an ABSTRACT idea that some children have a hard time understanding what character traits are. Students typically have to use inferencing skills to “read between the lines” of what information the author is giving you about the characters in the story, such as what the character is saying and doing.  How to Teach About Character Traits Start by defining exactly WHAT character traits are. Then together, make an anchor chart about character traits. Have students help you name certain traits that they believe characters in stories might have. Make sure to get them thinking about character traits on the OUTSIDE and on the INSIDE! I like to do another lesson about positive character traits vs. negative character traits. (Some traits can even be neutral).  Finally, my biggest piece of advice
Are you constantly looking for picture books to teach about the main idea of a story? Some people confuse the theme with the main idea. The theme or central idea of a book is the lesson, moral or message the reader takes away after reading. The main idea is what the book is about and can usually be stated as a short summary. It’s important for students to start understanding the main idea (and supporting details) of a story after reading it. This means that they should be able to retell the story to show their comprehension of it, stating the main idea and at least three details that can support the main idea of the story. Some Tips for Teaching the Main Idea A read aloud can be one of the most overlooked strategies that can be used to teach main idea and supporting details. When performing a