Primary/Intermediate Book – “Snowflake Bentley”
I’d like to share a picture book by Jacqueline Briggs Martin that connects wonderfully to many different types of lessons. Snowflake Bentley won the Caldecott Medal in 1999. It could be integrated into science, literature, a snow and winter theme, a study of biographies, symmetry, art and beauty, and in addition could be used to [...]
Primary/Intermediate Book – “Capyboppy”
Everyone knows the whimsical fantasies of Bill Peet, but you may not be familiar with his less well-known non-fiction book, Capyboppy. It’s one of my all time favorite children’s books! Capyboppy is the true story of a South American capybara that was brought into the Peet home by Bill’s oldest son, a natural science major in [...]
High School/Adult Book – “The Paradoxical Commandments”
I just got a book out of the public library entitled, ANYWAY – The Paradoxical Commandments; Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World by Kent M. Keith. In this book, the author tells the story of how the Paradoxical Commandments came to be written. They are sometimes attributed to Mother Teresa but were in fact [...]
Choice-Response Thinking – In a Poem!
Recently I came across this poem by Portia Nelson. AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS by Portia Nelson I I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in. I am lost … I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes me forever to find a way out. [...]
Where can I find the primary book that’s used to teach the DWS levels?
QUESTION: I’ve heard there is a book written by a primary teacher that can be used to teach the DWS Hierarchy to young students. Do you know this book? Where can I find it? RESPONSE: Yes, there is such a book! It’s called, Children of Rainbow School. The author is Tanis Carter, a primary teacher [...]
Primary Book – “The Little Red Hen”
Just like people, book characters often operate on more than one level! Very often, the author has at least one character learn something about the discouraging outcomes of operating at the lower levels. In many cases, the character is transformed in some way during the course of the story. Whenever I read such a book [...]
Primary Book – “Hooway for Wodney Wat”
Hooway for Wodney Rat by Helen Lester is a great read-aloud, especially if you like taking on different voices!! Camilla Capybara is a perfect character for introducing the concept of Level B of the DWS Hierarchy. Once the kids have correctly identified Camilla’s level of operation, the illustrations really lend themselves to discussing the outcomes and [...]
