Tag Archives: Beginning of Year Read-Aloud

Oct10

Book Recommendation: Charming ABC Picture Book Series

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Sometimes I come across a helpful selection of books that I can see would add to any classroom’s curriculum. Then there are times I find a series of books that would be helpful for specific needs in the classroom. I like to point these out to help out teachers and parents that home-school. It can be hard going through all the different websites and library catalogs trying to find what you need. Let me help you from time to time. When I come across books I know that are going to help, I always present them to you as a book recommendation.

For this book recommendation, I’ve found a set of ABC picture books with a unique connection to the curriculum that will help you tie your teaching with alphabet letter recognition, science and health science, physical education, and imagination.

They are a set of ABC books written by Catherine Anderson-Barnes. She has written two books that introduce the alphabet by means of animals and by fruits and vegetables. Each book can be used for a daily letter introduction, or even, at certain times during the week, in a lesson or as a read-aloud introduction to the letter.

Catherine Anderson-Barnes says about her books:

“The books are filled with a great variety of learning opportunities: Learning colors, letters (upper and lower case), parts of our body, how foods play a role in our overall health, the importance of being physically active, fruit and vegetable recognition, animal recognition, and how animals are similar and different from us.”

“Moving Through the Alphabet an Animal’s Way A to Z” introduces an animal from around the world with each letter. The colorful and fantastic illustrations dazzle the eye as facts about the animal are listed on the page to read-aloud. At the end of the facts, a fun physical activity can be done that mimics the animal’s natural movement. It’s wonderful to help associate the letter with the movement and build connection with literature.

“Be Your Best…Eating Fruits and Vegetables A to Z” introduces each letter with a tasty fruit or vegetable. Diagrams point out which areas of the body the food supports with a rhyming connection to the letter. Colorful illustrations showing kids in positive activities support the need for a healthy, eating lifestyle.

I love the fact that these books can be combined to help build letter recognition, theme for a food and animal of the week, and even help review later in the year. These can be a staple for any preschool or kindergarten classroom, and a great way to review the alphabet at the beginning of first grade. I highly recommend these books for the classroom and home library. They are a fun and interactive way to learn letters for any child.

Link to ABC Book Series on Amazon.com

Both books are available on Amazon.com as hardback, paperback or Kindle editions.

The books are also read by the author on YouTube as well. Here are the links below! These are great for modeling text and reading aloud skills.

Link for “Moving Through the Alphabet an Animal’s Way”.

Link for “Be Your Best…Eating Fruits and Vegetables”.

Jul14

Book Recommendation for “Stop Doing That”: A Picture Book About Having Tourette Syndrome As A Child

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Stop Doing That CoverWith the summer breezing past us, it’s nice to find a great book to keep the education going for your child. I found a wonderful book to teach your child or to supply your next year’s classroom with an understanding story of a child with Tourette syndrome. Written by an author with Tourette’s, it’s a story that will help any reader understand what it is like to have Tourette’s. “Stop Doing That!” is a story that belongs in any school library or classroom.

First, a little about the author. Chris Mason grew up with Tourette’s syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and anxiety disorder. He later was diagnosed with depression and akathisia a few years ago. He has published five books, including his autobiography, an anthology of thirty short stories, and non-fiction book about coaching youth soccer which will be published soon.

The book “Stop Doing That!” is the journey of a boy named John. Teachers, his parents, and friends get upset with him from his constant blinking, coughing and twitching at inappropriate times. His mother finally takes him to the doctor, and he is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. His family and John learn strategies for minimizing his tics and encouragement to share his story with his fellow classmates.

It all makes John determined to not be stopped from doing the things he likes to do and deterred from the person he wants to be. It’s a book of finding strength and getting support to face struggles that are experienced.

I think “Stop Doing That!” is a great way to include diversity in your home, school or classroom. It’s a way to continue learning during the summer months, and a way to extend learning in the classroom, and would make a great read-aloud for the beginning of the school year.

“Stop Doing That!” is available at Amazon.com.