Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I love Dr. Seuss and own many of his books, but out of all his books, Oh, the Places You'll Go is probably my favorite. You usually hear about this book in the spring since it is most commonly gifted for graduations. I remember at my high school graduation I received a few copies each with a thoughtful note written on the inside. There is one idea I saw on Pintrest where every year the parents have the classroom teacher sign the book. Then upon 8th grade or even high school graduation the parents give the signed copy full of notes or quotes from old teachers to their child. I love that idea! A few days after I read that, a student of mine brought the book to school with a note from her parent. I re- read this book a couple weeks ago and there were a few quotes that stuck to me:

"And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)"

"Remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft and never mix up your right foot with your left." 

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." 

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!"

Five Little Chicks

I won this book a few months ago from a contest put on by Little One Books. I had never read the book or heard of the author, but it is a very cute spring story. I have used it with toddlers and my Pre- K class which is 3 and 4 year olds. The chicks go out in search of food to eat. One chick goes out first and then the second comes to join and so on (counting). The food they find are things the kids would see in the spring like worms, ladybugs, a red strawberry. That isn't what chickens are supposed to eat and Pre- K got that right away. At the end of the story, the chicks run to the patch and peck all day in the corn patch with mama. What I liked most about this book was that I was able to adjust the level to challenge both the toddlers and Pre- K with comprehension questions, counting, colors, and applying the story to real life concepts they are familiar with.

Beautiful Oops!

I bought this book a couple years and I love it. The book is about taking every mistake or "oops" situation and using it as an opportunity to make something beautiful. For example, a bent piece of paper can be made into a Penguin or a paint spill can turn into a dog with puppies. The book is about art, but it can be interpreted into so much more and applied to whatever stage of life you are in. 

"When you think you have made a mistake, think of it as an opportunity to make something beautiful!" -Barney Saltzberg

Cloudette

I student taught in Kindergarten this Spring and during our weather unit this was one of the books I referenced to teach about clouds and rain. I had never heard of it before, but it is an adorable story about a little cloud who thinks she is too small to make a different. She ends up finding her purpose- there are lots of things a little cloud can do! 

I asked my students a series of questions:

1. By looking at the cover, what do you think the book will be about?

2. Who can raise their hand and tell me what the book was about? 

3. What are some big and important things a cloud can do?

4. What kind of cloud is Cloudette?

5. What can you tell me about a Cumulus cloud? 

We created a class book after reading the story. They were to draw their favorite important thing a cloud can do and write a sentence about it. I'll try to remember to post pictures later, they turned out cute!

Is There Really a Human Race?

Some of you may know I am an Early Childhood major and I am obsessed with children's literature. I am always looking for new books to read and last weekend my sister bought me this book. I love Jamie Lee Curtis' books she is able to tap into the child's mind and create a book that both children and adults will love. This book is no different as she addresses the fact that everyone is different and were all making the world a better place one step at a time. The book is written in question format which is suiting because the average 4 year old asks over 400 questions a day and that's how they learn. 

Here's an excerpt from the end of the book:

Sometimes it's better not to go fast.

There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last.

Shouldn't it be that you just try your best? 

And that's more important than beating the rest?

Shouldn't it be looking back at the end

that you judge your own race by the help that you lend? 

I love that part, leave it to a child to point out how the world should be!