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Song for a whale

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First Nations Education Steering Committee FNESC

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With the increased inclusion of First Peoples' content in the changing BC curriculum, there is a need to incorporate unappropriated First Peoples' perspectives across the curriculum. The First Nations Education Steering Committee and the First Nations Schools Association, in collaboration with teachers and partners, have developed the following Learning First Peoples series of teacher resources to support English Language Arts, Science Social Studies and Mathematics courses.

The resources reflect the First Peoples Principles of Learning as well as the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including the call to "integrate Indigenous Knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms" and "build student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect."

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Learning First Peoples Classroom Resources - First Nations Education Steering Committee FNESC

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With the increased inclusion of First Peoples' content in the changing BC curriculum, there is a need to incorporate unappropriated First Peoples' perspectives across the curriculum. The First Nations Education Steering Committee and the First Nations Schools Association, in collaboration with teachers and partners, have developed the following Learning First Peoples series of teacher resources to support English Language Arts, Science Social Studies and Mathematics courses.

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All About Them Books Video ("All About That Bass" parody)

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Seriously kids, bring your books back. (An "All About That Bass" parody in an attempt to get our library books back.)

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Bring Back Your Books (A Library Parody)

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Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of HOW TO READ A STORY

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Not My Idea - A Book About Whiteness - a picture book read by a dad - Seriously Read A Book!

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Some curriculum staples misrepresent cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas, and contain pejorative descriptions. Try these books instead of "The Little House" series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

When it comes to rethinking curricula, assigned reading, book club selections, and one-on-one readers' advisory interactions, it's vital to offer young readers alternatives to books that may misrepresent their own cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas about particular groups, and contain dated vocabulary and pejorative descriptions. These books are widely considered classics of children's and young adult literature and regularly appear on required reading lists. The titles accompanying each, a selection of contemporaneous literature and more modern works, can replace or be read in conjunction with the "classic" text.

The "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Many adult readers who have not reread the series since they were young may not recall the rampant anti-Native language and racism in Wilder's work. The original text of Little House on the Prairie (1935) infamously included the line "There were no people. Only Indians lived there," in addition to the abhorrent statement "The only good Indian is a dead Indian." In addition to the dehumanizing descriptions and language used, many of Garth Williams's illustrations depicting Native characters are inaccurate and reinforce stereotypes. For richly realized, family-centered, coming-of-age narratives that span several generations, try:

Erdrich, Louise. The "Birchbark House" series. HarperCollins.
Gr 3-6-This multigenerational family saga begins in 1847, with The Birchbark House (1999), and follows the life of a young Ojibwe girl, Omakayas. The latest title in the series, (2016), is set in 1866 and stars the young son of the grown-up Omakayas, as the family moves from the rich forests of Minnesota to the Great Plains of the Dakota Territory.

Lovelace, Maud Hart. The "Betsy-Tacy" series. William Morrow.
Gr 3 Up -Similar to Wilder's "Little House" books, Lovelace's series is semiautobiographical, and the books become progressively more complex as the protagonist matures. The 10 novels in the main series, originally published between 1940 and 1955, chronicle the imaginings and adventures of a white girl growing up in a small Minnesota town at the turn of the century.

Twain's novel regularly appears on the American Library Association's list of the top frequently challenged and banned books, most often cited for its stereotypical depiction of Jim, a fugitive from slavery, and the novel's use of the N-word. Though the book remains required reading in many school districts, educators are increasingly seeing the need to offer contemporaneous #OwnVoices stories about the experiences of slavery and systemic oppression. For alternatives to Twain's exploration of the injustices of slavery through the lens of a white male, try:

Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. 1845. Prestwick reprint, 2005.
Gr 9 Up -A firsthand account of enslavement and the early abolitionist movement, this memoir by the famed writer and orator, published before the Civil War, contains harrowing descriptions of Douglass's childhood and his eventual escape to the North.

Taylor, Mildred D. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry . 1976. Puffin reprint, 2004.
Gr 6 Up -Taylor's beloved series following the Logan family includes several prequels, sequels, and companion books. The first novel, which won the Newbery Medal in 1977, is set in rural Mississippi during the Great Depression and follows Cassie Logan, a young Black girl. Taylor explores the impact of racism's legacy in the South and subverts the idea of the Mississippi River as a symbol of freedom, in contrast to Twain's novel.

Lee's classic is perhaps one of the most widely read, lauded, and taught American novels. Despite its wide appeal, many critics have cited the prevalence of the "white savior" trope (an overrepresented narrative in which a messianic white protagonist rescues people of color), the oversimplification of racism and white supremacy, and the flat, infantilizing characterization of the novel's Black characters. For more realistic, complex depictions of the history of anti-Black racism and the ongoing fight for justice, try:

Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. 1952. Vintage reprint, 1995.
Gr 10 Up -In Ellison's National Book Award-winning novel, an unnamed Black narrator experiences racial injustices and is ostracized as a Black man in a white world. Ellison employs an anti-realistic, Kafka-esque style, along with absurdist humor, that invites reflection and discussion.

Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. with Tonya Bolden. Dark Sky Rising: Reconstruction and the Dawn of Jim Crow. Scholastic. 2019.
Gr 9 Up -Both lyrical and scholarly, this work of nonfiction chronicles the changing rights of Black Americans in the wake of the Emancipation Proclamation, the addition of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875, along with the rising tide of white violence that followed each step forward.

Magoon, Kekla. How It Went Down. Holt. 2014.
Gr 9 Up-When Tariq Johnson, a 16-year-old Black boy, is shot and killed by a white man, witnesses tell their version of events and how this act of racism and violence affects the entire community. Other contemporary novels that tackle similar themes include Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give, Nic Stone's Dear Martin, and Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely's All American Boys.

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narrative of the life of frederick douglass

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
dark sky rising: reconstruction and the dawn of jim crow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reading Alternatives to Three Problematic Classics

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Some curriculum staples misrepresent cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas, and contain pejorative descriptions. Try these books instead of "The Little House" series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Some curriculum staples misrepresent cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas, and contain pejorative descriptions. Try these books instead of "The Little House" series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

When it comes to rethinking curricula, assigned reading, book club selections, and one-on-one readers' advisory interactions, it's vital to offer young readers alternatives to books that may misrepresent their own cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas about particular groups, and contain dated vocabulary and pejorative descriptions. These books are widely considered classics of children's and young adult literature and regularly appear on required reading lists. The titles accompanying each, a selection of contemporaneous literature and more modern works, can replace or be read in conjunction with the "classic" text.

The "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Many adult readers who have not reread the series since they were young may not recall the rampant anti-Native language and racism in Wilder's work. The original text of Little House on the Prairie (1935) infamously included the line "There were no people. Only Indians lived there," in addition to the abhorrent statement "The only good Indian is a dead Indian." In addition to the dehumanizing descriptions and language used, many of Garth Williams's illustrations depicting Native characters are inaccurate and reinforce stereotypes. For richly realized, family-centered, coming-of-age narratives that span several generations, try:

Erdrich, Louise. The "Birchbark House" series. HarperCollins.
Gr 3-6-This multigenerational family saga begins in 1847, with The Birchbark House (1999), and follows the life of a young Ojibwe girl, Omakayas. The latest title in the series, (2016), is set in 1866 and stars the young son of the grown-up Omakayas, as the family moves from the rich forests of Minnesota to the Great Plains of the Dakota Territory.

Lovelace, Maud Hart. The "Betsy-Tacy" series. William Morrow.
Gr 3 Up -Similar to Wilder's "Little House" books, Lovelace's series is semiautobiographical, and the books become progressively more complex as the protagonist matures. The 10 novels in the main series, originally published between 1940 and 1955, chronicle the imaginings and adventures of a white girl growing up in a small Minnesota town at the turn of the century.

Twain's novel regularly appears on the American Library Association's list of the top frequently challenged and banned books, most often cited for its stereotypical depiction of Jim, a fugitive from slavery, and the novel's use of the N-word. Though the book remains required reading in many school districts, educators are increasingly seeing the need to offer contemporaneous #OwnVoices stories about the experiences of slavery and systemic oppression. For alternatives to Twain's exploration of the injustices of slavery through the lens of a white male, try:

Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. 1845. Prestwick reprint, 2005.
Gr 9 Up -A firsthand account of enslavement and the early abolitionist movement, this memoir by the famed writer and orator, published before the Civil War, contains harrowing descriptions of Douglass's childhood and his eventual escape to the North.

Taylor, Mildred D. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry . 1976. Puffin reprint, 2004.
Gr 6 Up -Taylor's beloved series following the Logan family includes several prequels, sequels, and companion books. The first novel, which won the Newbery Medal in 1977, is set in rural Mississippi during the Great Depression and follows Cassie Logan, a young Black girl. Taylor explores the impact of racism's legacy in the South and subverts the idea of the Mississippi River as a symbol of freedom, in contrast to Twain's novel.

Lee's classic is perhaps one of the most widely read, lauded, and taught American novels. Despite its wide appeal, many critics have cited the prevalence of the "white savior" trope (an overrepresented narrative in which a messianic white protagonist rescues people of color), the oversimplification of racism and white supremacy, and the flat, infantilizing characterization of the novel's Black characters. For more realistic, complex depictions of the history of anti-Black racism and the ongoing fight for justice, try:

Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. 1952. Vintage reprint, 1995.
Gr 10 Up -In Ellison's National Book Award-winning novel, an unnamed Black narrator experiences racial injustices and is ostracized as a Black man in a white world. Ellison employs an anti-realistic, Kafka-esque style, along with absurdist humor, that invites reflection and discussion.

Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. with Tonya Bolden. Dark Sky Rising: Reconstruction and the Dawn of Jim Crow. Scholastic. 2019.
Gr 9 Up -Both lyrical and scholarly, this work of nonfiction chronicles the changing rights of Black Americans in the wake of the Emancipation Proclamation, the addition of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875, along with the rising tide of white violence that followed each step forward.

Magoon, Kekla. How It Went Down. Holt. 2014.
Gr 9 Up-When Tariq Johnson, a 16-year-old Black boy, is shot and killed by a white man, witnesses tell their version of events and how this act of racism and violence affects the entire community. Other contemporary novels that tackle similar themes include Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give, Nic Stone's Dear Martin, and Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely's All American Boys.

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narrative of the life of frederick douglass

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
dark sky rising: reconstruction and the dawn of jim crow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reading Alternatives to Three Problematic Classics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Some curriculum staples misrepresent cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas, and contain pejorative descriptions. Try these books instead of "The Little House" series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Some curriculum staples misrepresent cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas, and contain pejorative descriptions. Try these books instead of "The Little House" series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

When it comes to rethinking curricula, assigned reading, book club selections, and one-on-one readers' advisory interactions, it's vital to offer young readers alternatives to books that may misrepresent their own cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas about particular groups, and contain dated vocabulary and pejorative descriptions. These books are widely considered classics of children's and young adult literature and regularly appear on required reading lists. The titles accompanying each, a selection of contemporaneous literature and more modern works, can replace or be read in conjunction with the "classic" text.

The "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Many adult readers who have not reread the series since they were young may not recall the rampant anti-Native language and racism in Wilder's work. The original text of Little House on the Prairie (1935) infamously included the line "There were no people. Only Indians lived there," in addition to the abhorrent statement "The only good Indian is a dead Indian." In addition to the dehumanizing descriptions and language used, many of Garth Williams's illustrations depicting Native characters are inaccurate and reinforce stereotypes. For richly realized, family-centered, coming-of-age narratives that span several generations, try:

Erdrich, Louise. The "Birchbark House" series. HarperCollins.
Gr 3-6-This multigenerational family saga begins in 1847, with The Birchbark House (1999), and follows the life of a young Ojibwe girl, Omakayas. The latest title in the series, (2016), is set in 1866 and stars the young son of the grown-up Omakayas, as the family moves from the rich forests of Minnesota to the Great Plains of the Dakota Territory.

Lovelace, Maud Hart. The "Betsy-Tacy" series. William Morrow.
Gr 3 Up -Similar to Wilder's "Little House" books, Lovelace's series is semiautobiographical, and the books become progressively more complex as the protagonist matures. The 10 novels in the main series, originally published between 1940 and 1955, chronicle the imaginings and adventures of a white girl growing up in a small Minnesota town at the turn of the century.

Twain's novel regularly appears on the American Library Association's list of the top frequently challenged and banned books, most often cited for its stereotypical depiction of Jim, a fugitive from slavery, and the novel's use of the N-word. Though the book remains required reading in many school districts, educators are increasingly seeing the need to offer contemporaneous #OwnVoices stories about the experiences of slavery and systemic oppression. For alternatives to Twain's exploration of the injustices of slavery through the lens of a white male, try:

Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. 1845. Prestwick reprint, 2005.
Gr 9 Up -A firsthand account of enslavement and the early abolitionist movement, this memoir by the famed writer and orator, published before the Civil War, contains harrowing descriptions of Douglass's childhood and his eventual escape to the North.

Taylor, Mildred D. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry . 1976. Puffin reprint, 2004.
Gr 6 Up -Taylor's beloved series following the Logan family includes several prequels, sequels, and companion books. The first novel, which won the Newbery Medal in 1977, is set in rural Mississippi during the Great Depression and follows Cassie Logan, a young Black girl. Taylor explores the impact of racism's legacy in the South and subverts the idea of the Mississippi River as a symbol of freedom, in contrast to Twain's novel.

Lee's classic is perhaps one of the most widely read, lauded, and taught American novels. Despite its wide appeal, many critics have cited the prevalence of the "white savior" trope (an overrepresented narrative in which a messianic white protagonist rescues people of color), the oversimplification of racism and white supremacy, and the flat, infantilizing characterization of the novel's Black characters. For more realistic, complex depictions of the history of anti-Black racism and the ongoing fight for justice, try:

Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. 1952. Vintage reprint, 1995.
Gr 10 Up -In Ellison's National Book Award-winning novel, an unnamed Black narrator experiences racial injustices and is ostracized as a Black man in a white world. Ellison employs an anti-realistic, Kafka-esque style, along with absurdist humor, that invites reflection and discussion.

Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. with Tonya Bolden. Dark Sky Rising: Reconstruction and the Dawn of Jim Crow. Scholastic. 2019.
Gr 9 Up -Both lyrical and scholarly, this work of nonfiction chronicles the changing rights of Black Americans in the wake of the Emancipation Proclamation, the addition of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875, along with the rising tide of white violence that followed each step forward.

Magoon, Kekla. How It Went Down. Holt. 2014.
Gr 9 Up-When Tariq Johnson, a 16-year-old Black boy, is shot and killed by a white man, witnesses tell their version of events and how this act of racism and violence affects the entire community. Other contemporary novels that tackle similar themes include Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give, Nic Stone's Dear Martin, and Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely's All American Boys.

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narrative of the life of frederick douglass

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
dark sky rising: reconstruction and the dawn of jim crow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reading Alternatives to Three Problematic Classics

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Some curriculum staples misrepresent cultures, reinforce racist or sexist ideas, and contain pejorative descriptions. Try these books instead of "The Little House" series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

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Anti-Racism Education Resources - Wakelet

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Since the murder of George Floyd, Twitter has become a vast repository of resources to help educators become better prepared to carry out teaching anti-racism, social justice, and tolerance. Here are some resources shared by educators across Twitter that you may find useful. I will continue to update as new resources are discovered and shared.

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Allan SayWe are all Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

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Allan SayWe are all Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

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by Allan Say

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by Allan Say

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by Allan Say

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Same same but different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

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Same same but different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

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Being kind is a way of life. Teaching one kindness lesson, or reading one book about being kind is not enough to have a truly kind classroom. That is why I teach about kindness all year long. By kicking off the school year with community building and kindness activities and continuing to weave them throughout the year, students truly digest the message that is being sent.

One simple way to create a classroom climate rich with kindness is to use your read aloud time to share books with kindness themes. There are so many books appropriate for upper elementary that have a strong theme of kindness. By discussing the theme of kindness you can easily tie in kindness read alouds with all of your themes in literature lessons, too!

While there are so many books about being kind, I have found that these nine work perfectly for upper elementary classrooms. You will love these books as each book can be re-purposed for other lessons in your classroom, helping to save you valuable time in the classroom. Teacher win!

Read about each of my favorite kindness books below and scoop up aligning kindness activities for FREE at the bottom of this post.

Bust out the chart papers and markers and get ready to calculate just how far one random act of kindness can go! I love that this in-depth story includes math concepts, perfect for the upper elementary classroom. Following a reading of this book, challenge students to figure out how long it would take to reach 100 people if they completed a random act of kindness to two people in their lives. Modify the number to meet the needs of your students. Want to go further? Watch this quick heart warming video to bring this story to the real world for your students.

Re-Purpose this Book! Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed is perfect for identifying character traits and emotions. Revisit this book during character and making connections units.

This is one of my classroom favorites to read each year! With its themes of friendship and being kind, it is a great choice to read right at the start of the year. Enemy Pie pairs well with creating "recipes" for kindness and friendship. You can create recipes with students as a class, or send students off in pairs to create recipes to share with the class.

Re-Purpose this Book! Enemy Pie is perfect for character development lessons in your classroom, specifically discussing how characters change throughout the story.

This book is chock full of important messages for children: kindness, empathy, and integrity. The main character Ruben experiences it all. Students always connect with Ruben and cheer him on even as Sergio brags about his bike. This book lends itself to discussions on being kind, showing empathy, and using integrity. Try this: following a reading of this book, have students create a list of things that Sergio should have said to Ruben about his bike if he chose kindness instead of bragging.

Re-Purpose this Book! Use this book again during story structure lessons. Pairs perfectly with story elements, problem/solution, and cause and effect lessons.

No list of kindness read alouds is complete without Each Kindness. This book tells the story of Chloe, who chooses not to be kind to a new student in class. After the student moves away, Chloe regrets how she treated Maya and is saddened by the fact that she can not make it up to her. The teacher in the book explains kindness as a ripple in a pool of water. Grab a big bowl and mimic the lesson the teacher in the book gives with your own students. It is an amazing visual of the power of kindness that your students will not forget.

Re-Purpose this Book! Use Each Kindness to practice students' story ending writing skills. Since the book ends with Chloe feeling regretful, have students write the next chapter or sequel of the book.

I love that the red umbrella in this book is a symbol for kindness! This book tells the story of the "big, friendly red umbrella who loves to help others and spread its arms wide." Share this book with students during a figurative language unit and challenge students to create other symbols for kindness.

Re-Purpose this Book! The Big Umbrella can also be used to kick off any figurative language unit. Using kindness as a focus, students can create similes and metaphors about kindness, too!

This is a wordless book with a big impact! Students instantly connect with Vanessa and empathize with her. Students always cheer and clap at the end as they imagine the words that tell the story of the beautiful images they see on each page. This book lends itself perfectly to having students turn and talk throughout the book to tell the story with words. Pair students up following the read aloud and have them write a summary of the story. I also love to have students write letters to Vanessa to cheer her up.

Re-Purpose these Books! Use I Walk With Vanessa to teach students the power of images for lessons on visualizing. Try this! Have students write short kindness stories without any illustrations. When students share their writing with a peer or the class, have the listeners close their eyes and visualize what they are hearing. Students then draw a quick sketch and share how their mental images helped them to understand the writer's words more deeply.

If you are looking for short stories about kindness, this is it! Each short story has different characters, themes, and life lessons. Though each short story is different, evidence of kindness can be found throughout. This book is perfect to read aloud during those awkward chunks of time you often find yourself with. Create a class chart or bulletin board display of the different acts of kindness and other related themes that students find as you read this book.

Re-Purpose this Book! Use this book to reinforce how to site evidence from texts.

While both of these books have a more simpler text than the others, I love them both. They are perfect to help introduce how to be kind to others. Kindness to Share A to Z is perfect to read and then have students create their own A to Z kindness book of how they can be kind at school, at home, and their community. A similar activity can be done with the book What Does it Mean to be Kind?. I use a flip book to have students share how they can be kind. Grab the flip book for free below.

Re-Purpose these Books! I love using these books when my upper elementary students work with their younger " book buddies." The simpler text is perfect for their younger buddies and the activities mentioned above allow my students to truly promote kindness with the younger students that they work with.

When it comes to promoting kindness in your classroom, begin with a book. The conversations that develop among your students after one of these powerful read alouds is what will develop kindness in your classroom. Is there a book you read with your students that promotes kindness? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

Looking for more Kindness activities and bulletin board sets?
Click the image below or HERE.

Love these ideas? Pin for later!

*affiliate links: "Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon." (source: Section 5)

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9 Books to Promote Kindness in Upper Elementary Classrooms

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Being kind is a way of life. Teaching one kindness lesson, or reading one book about being kind is not enough to have a truly kind classroom. That is why I teach about kindness all year long.

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This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Looking for books to read aloud to your learners on Valentine's Day? I've put together a list of our favorites just for you!

Here Comes Valentine Cat, by Deborah Underwood

Please promise me you'll find this book at your library and read it - even if it's just to yourself! It's my absolutely favorite on this list. In this book the narrator speaks directly to Cat, who feels that Valentine's Day is much too mushy to celebrate. The cat communicates through signboards and facial expressions, and the book is both hilarious and heart-warming. It's also a great book for teaching inferences. Recommended!

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, by Eileen Spinelli

This is a treasure of a book that everyone should read! It's about lonely Mr. Hatch, who eats by himself during his lunch break at the shoelace factory - indeed, he never speaks to anyone. All that changes when he receives a heart-shaped box of chocolates from a secret admirer. Suddenly Mr. Hatch becomes everyone's favorite neighbor ... until the sad moment when he discovers that the delivery was a mistake. Such a great book! (And if you're a member of The Measured Mom Plus, be sure to check out the read aloud guide in my collection of Valentine's Day interactive read alouds.)

Hugs from Pearl, by Paul Schmid

Pearl is a sweet little porcupine who loves to give hugs. Even though her friends are nice about it (and her teacher has a ready supply of Band-Aids), Pearl's hugs are ouchy. What can a friendly little porcupine do? Pearl finally arrives at a solution. Such a sweet book!

Roses Are Red, Your Feet Really Stink, by Diane DeGroat

This is a good book about taking responsibility for your actions. As Gilbert writes valentine poems for his classmates, he writes two rude poems for students he doesn't like - and signs them as if someone else wrote them. Before long, everything is topsy-turvy, and Gilbert has some explaining to do. Thankfully, everything is sorted out in the end.

Plant a Kiss, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

This is a simple but powerful book about the importance of spreading love wherever we go. I love the simple illustrations and the added texture. Even though the book is very simple (and little ones will enjoy it), its abstract message is very appropriate for older listeners. Use it to start a discussion about the meaning of the book.

Happy Valentine's Day, Dolores, by Barbara Samuels

Dolores is an irrepressible little girl who means well but doesn't always make the best decisions. In this book, her bad snooping habit leads her to find a secret Valentine's Day gift that her older sister has hidden away. Whom is it for? Even though Dolores' snooping and taking is wrong (which you can discuss as you read it), the book highlights a loving relationship between an older and younger sister - a rarity in children's literature, and one I'm happy to see.

In this sweet book. Elmore the porcupine has a hard time making friends - for obvious reasons. In the end, this lonely porcupine finds a way into his friends' hearts. (A read aloud guide for this book can be found in the The Measured Mom Plus.)

Duck Hippo: The Secret Valentine, by Jonathan London

While I didn't find the story particularly engaging, the vintage illustrations are adorable, and both my Four and almost-Six enjoyed this story about Duck's plan to surprise all her friends with a Valentine's Day party. I love that the book focuses on friendship (not romance) as the heart of Valentine's Day.

One Zillion Valentines, by Frank Modell

In this appealing vintage book (1981), Marvin informs his friend Milton that "Valentines aren't just for girls. Valentines are for everybody." These two inventive boys create a "zillion" valentines to slip under doors and share with neighbors. The cartoony illustrations are a plus, and kids will appreciate this non-sappy Valentine's Day story.

The Day It Rained Hearts, by Felicia Bond

This gentle book about a little girl who catches raining hearts. She uses them to create special valentines for her animal friends. The story is nice, but the illustrations (by the illustrator of the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie books), steal the show.

The Ballad of Valentine, by Alison Jackson

I love books you can sing, so I adore this Valentine book set to the tune of the American folk song, Clementine. Set in a canyon in the west, a lovesick admirer never gives up sending messages to the object of his affection. But for a variety of reasons (a cyclone, a blizzard, etc.) the messages never reach the girl named Valentine. While a lot of the humor was over my preschooler's head, I loved this one. The hilarious pictures add a lot to the story.

Hug Machine, by Scott Campbell

Oh my - what a wonderful book for little listeners! The Hug Machine is actually a little boy (the narrator of the story) who hugs everything he sees - from family members to strangers, from animals to inanimate objects. The pictures are adorable, and if you're lucky your preschooler will turn into a Hug Machine as well ... it's been so fun to see my little guy tearing through the house giving hugs while reciting the book!

If You'll Be My Valentine, by Cynthia Rylant

If you're looking for a Valentine's Day book that will appear to young preschoolers, try this one. Older children will likely find it babyish, but the sweet pictures and rhymes will delight young listeners.

The Runaway Valentine, by Tina Casey

Victor is the most beautiful valentine on the shelf, until he falls off the rack and gets swept into a corner. When he sets out on his own, Victor quickly becomes a ragged piece of paper. But amazingly, one person after another finds that Victor is just what they were looking for. The happy ending brings all the characters together. What a neat book! (This is also included in the membership's Valentine's Day read aloud guides.)

The Valentine Bears, by Eve Bunting

Bunting's lovely storytelling and Jan Brett's beautiful illustrations come together in this lovely vintage book (1983) about two hibernating bears who interrupt their sleep to celebrate Valentine's Day. A gentle and beautiful story. (Yes, I know bears aren't true hibernators, but it's still a cute book.)

Mr. Goat's Valentine, by Eve Bunting

Mr. Goat is searching for Valentine's Day gifts for his first love. The gifts aren't exactly conventional (weeds in a can and rotten eggs), but apparently Goat's mother (his first love) isn't too particular. It's a a sweet book, but I didn't feel it matched the quality storytelling we usually get from Eve Bunting.

Slugs in Love, by Susan Pearson

I am very anti-slug (thanks to finding way too many of them in our Virginia garden as a child), but this book is adorable. Marylou is a shy slug who wants Herbie to notice her. But even though she leaves him poems everywhere she goes (written in slime, of course), it takes the whole book before the two slugs finally meet. Who knew that a love story about slugs would be a winner?

© 2020, Anna G. All rights reserved.

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The best Valentine's Day books to read aloud - The Measured Mom

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Looking for books to read aloud to your learners on Valentine's Day? I've put together a list of our favorites just for you! Here Comes Valentine Cat, by Deborah Underwood Please promise me you'll find this book at your library and read it - even if it's just to yourself!

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List of books on tech themes

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In 2016 I wrote a blog post about 10 Techie Themed Read Aloud Books and my list keeps growing! I wanted to compile all of the elementary picture books arranged by topic in one area. Let me know if you have any recommendations we can add to this list! **All links are Amazon affiliate links**

Also be sure to check out my post:5 Reasons to Use Technology Themed Picture Books to Help Reinforce Digital Citizenship.

Online Safety

Reliable Sources

Digital Footprint

Coding/Programming

Email Etiquette

Other Books with "Techie" Themes

Calandra Jackson
Renuka Senaratne

Follow me on Pinterest to get more techie ideas:

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In 2016 I wrote a blog post about 10 Techie Themed Read Aloud Books and my list keeps growing! I wanted to compile all of the elementary picture books arranged by topic in one area. Let me know if you have any recommendations we can add to this list!

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10 picture books to read aloud in middle school

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10 picture books to read aloud in middle school

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We are thrilled to welcome Christina from The Hanson Hallway as our guest blogger today! Christina is an expert in all things books, and she's going to share her experiences using picture books in middle school. Last year, her classes read a book a day! Wow! Read on to find out Christina's tips & resources for getting started with picture books.

You read picture books to middle schoolers? Aren't picture books for little kids? Aren't middle schoolers too old to be read to? Whether you are three, thirteen, or seventy-three, picture books are for everyone! I started reading picture books to my middle school students after attending a session last summer at
nErDcampMI called "Picture Books at Every Grade, Every Day" presented by Jillian Heise and Angie Huesgen. They explained their rationale for #ClassroomBookaDay, reactions from teachers and students, and shared examples of books they read. Jillian even read an F&G copy of They All Saw a Cat by Brenden Wenzel, and the group came up with great discussion ideas to have with students about the book. After that session, I was seriously considering doing this, but I was a little nervous about reading picture books to middle schoolers. I often asked myself: What books am I going to choose? What if the students think picture books are babyish? Where do I have time in my already busy classroom schedule to read a picture book? But a few weeks later, I took a leap of faith and decided we would try #ClassroomBookaDay.
With the help of my local librarian and friends on social media, I was able to find some engaging picture books that hooked students on to picture books at the beginning of the year. After that, I searched for picture books centered around specific classroom topics, like figurative language and grammar; common themes like kindness, courage, and perseverance; and events or holidays, like September 11 and Halloween. Sometimes, I would even pick picture books that were just fun and humorous to read aloud!
Our picture book read aloud was always at the beginning of class because it usually tied in to our lesson for the day. Students got into the routine of entering class, putting their supplies at their spot, and gathering around in the front of the classroom for me to read that day's picture book. If I missed a day of reading a picture book due to an absence or something else coming up in the classroom, the students were always good about reminding me to read two picture books the next day. We even created a #ClassroomBookaDay bulletin board outside of our classroom to not only keep track of all the picture books we read each day, but to also share the books with students, teachers, and other school guests passing by.

Beginning of the school year

Halfway point of the school year - 90 picture books!

End of the school year - 180 picture books!

By the end of the school year, we read 180 picture books! You read that right: 180 picture books, one for each day of the school year! On the last day of school, the students and I sat outside of our classroom and reflected on all the books we read. We talked about some of our favorite titles, characters, and illustrators. It was still mind-blowing to all of us that we read that many books within the school year. Every so often, maybe once or twice a month, I like to check in with students to see what they think of a picture book we read, so I will give them a
picture book exit slip to fill out. This exit slip helps me check their comprehension of a book, what they think are possible themes in it, and their personal rating of the book. These slips do not get graded either! I use the information from these slips to help decide future books and as discussion starters when I conference with students. You can grab the FREE exit slip here!

If you are a little leery to jump into reading a picture book-a-day, I have come up with a list of ten picture books that you can use in your middle school classroom throughout the upcoming school year. This picture book would be a great one to kick off the school year! "The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws..." "Each kindness makes the whole world a little bit better." Being the new student is never easy. Trying to fit in and making new friends can be a challenge. In Rock, paper, scissors has been a schoolyard game for many years. But do you know the tale of how it came to be? In Drew Daywalt's latest book, The cover of this nonfiction picture book should grab students attention right away with the photograph of a blobfish. From a wordless picture book to a pictureless picture book, In "Henry Brown wasn't sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren't allowed to know their birthdays." Fans of
School's First Day of School
Written by Adam Rex and illustrated by Christian Robinson

School's First Day of School tells the story of a brand new school. The story is told from the school's perspective which is nervous on the first day of school. Things don't start off so well for the school after overhearing students say they don't like school, the fire alarm goes off, and being filled trash after lunch. But the school also notices that there are others who are nervous about the first day. As the day goes on, the school is listening and learning, and cannot wait to do it all over again tomorrow. Award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson brings this story to life with his signature simple and colorful illustrations.
They All Saw a Cat
Written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
They All Saw a Cat, a 2017 Caldecott Honor book is another story about perspective. Upon first glance, we see the expression of the cat when a child, a dog and a fox each see the cat. But then, we see how certain animals view the cat like a bird, a snake, and a mouse. The illustrations are spot-on in this book! Brendan Wenzel nails the perspectives of each animal perfectly. Students could practice point of view by choosing an animal from this book and writing their own story to go along with the illustration.

Written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Each Kindness, a new girl, Maya, arrives in Chloe's class, and she notices right away Maya's raggedy clothes and broken shoes. When Maya wants to play with Chloe and her friends, they say no. Maya does not show up for school the next day when the class is talking about kindness. Chloe's teacher demonstrates what kindness can do for others. Once Chloe realizes the importance of being kind, it is too late to apologize to Maya because she never returns to school. After reading this book to my students, I remember you could hear a pin drop in our classroom. This was a powerful book about kindness, and one that stuck with my students for a while after reading it.
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
Written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Adam Rex
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, he uncovers the journey of each item and how they finally came together for one, epic battle. Coming from different kingdoms and realms, Rock, Paper, and Scissors defeat a variety of things along the way: Rock versus Apricot; Paper versus Half-Eaten Bag of Trail Mix; and Scissors versus Dinosaur-Shaped Chicken Nuggets. Because they are all looking for a greater challenge, they call converge in the great cavern of Two-Car Garage, and the rest is history. Students will not only love the illustrations, but they will be laughing at the story from the very beginning. Try reading this book by making up voices for each item, and it will really bring the characters to life!

Written by Jess Keating and illustrated by David DeGrand

Pink is for Blobfish is a book full of information and pictures about animals in the world that are pink! Did you know that the blobfish was voted as the ugliest animal in the world? Did you know naked mole rats are talented architects? Did you know male pygmy seahorses become pregnant and carry the eggs in a pouch? Find these weird animals, facts, and more in this book. As an extension or in collaboration with a science teacher, students could choose one of these animals to research, or they could create their own book of animals that are a certain color (Example - Blue is for Poison Dart Frog or Yellow is for Banana Slug).

Illustrated by Aaron Becker
Journey is a unique picture book because it does not have any words! It is the story of a young girl with a red marker who draws a door on her bedroom wall which then opens into a magical world. By drawing things like a boat, balloon, and magic carpet, she is taken on an adventure, but is uncertain where or how it will end. You may be asking yourself: How do I read a wordless picture book? Show the pictures to the students and have them write their own story! If your student enjoy Journey, share with them the rest of the trilogy, Quest and Return.
The Book With No Pictures
The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak (most notably known as Ryan from the television show The Office) is just what it is. The book has no pictures! It probably does not seem that a book like this would be very fun to read, but you would be wrong. You have to read the words on the page, even if there are words that make silly sounds or make you talk in a monkey voice. I mean, doesn't everyone have a friend who is a hippo and named Boo Boo Butt? I'm guessing you just laughed out loud at that! And I can guarantee your students will too. After reading this book, it would even be fun for students to make up their own silly words! The Invisible Boy Written by B.J. Novak

The Invisible Boy, Brian is never really "seen" by his classmates and teacher. His classmates don't pick him to play in kickball games or invite him to birthday parties, and his teacher always seems to be dealing with other students to notice Brian. But there is one thing Brian loves to do: draw! One day, a new student, Justin, joins their class. As Justin is trying to find his place in the class, Brian is the one who steps up to make him feel welcome by drawing a picture for him. When the time comes for a group project, Justin invites Brian into his group and the rest is history. This is wonderful story to use with your students about the importance of including others. Pay close attention to the illustrations as these tell the story just as much as the words. Don't forget to check out the endpapers too!

Written by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Patrice Barton

Henry's Freedom Box is the dramatic, true story of Henry Brown. When Henry's slave master falls ill, he is sent away from his family to work for his master's son in a tobacco factory. Henry is lonely in this new place until he meets Nancy. Eventually, he and Nancy get married and have three children. But Nancy's master lost a lot of money, and one day, she and her children are sold at a slave market. Henry is heartbroken as his whole family is taken from him in an instant. He knew right then that he wanted to be free. Enlisting help from some friends, Henry decides he wants to be mailed in a crate to a place where there are no slaves. Despite a rocky journey, Henry eventually makes it to freedom in Philadelphia. This would be a great book to use when studying the Underground Railroad or when learning about themes like courage and perseverance.
Written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Mother Bruce will love Ryan Higgins's newest picture book, Be Quiet! Rupert the Mouse wants to create a wordless picture book. But his two talkative friends, Nibbs and Thistle, want to help out. The pair tries to give Rupert suggestions on what he should include in his picture book, and Rupert is not having it. He just wants them to STOP TALKING! The "vishery strigulating" illustrations reflect the emotions of each of the characters perfectly from the facial expressions to the large, bold print words. There is even a cameo appearance by Bruce the bear from Mother Bruce! Read this book with lots of expression, and your students will laugh out loud at the subtle jokes and situations these mice get into. Be sure to show your students what is under the book jacket and the endpapers too.

Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

This list will definitely get you started, and feel free to reach out to Christina and the Secondary English Coffee Shop if you have any questions. Pin this post for later:

As always, thanks for visiting The Coffee Shop!

Christina Hanson is a sixth and seventh grade language arts teacher in north central Illinois. When she isn't sharing books with her students or reading books from her never-ending TBR pile, she loves to spend time with her teacher/coach husband and very energetic kids. She also has a love for photography, especially taking pictures of books! Christina is a member of the #BookJourney crew, a group of nine educators from across the United States, who "Read, Post-it, Tweet, Repeat." You can find Christina on Twitter and Instagram @hansonhallway or on her blog The Hanson Hallway.

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10 Picture Books to Read in the Middle School Classroom

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Picture Books in Middle School | Using picture books in your classroom can engage reluctant readers, help introduce a lesson, and build community. Check out tips & resources for using picture books in middle school from The Hanson Hallway at The Secondary English Coffee Shop.

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Welcome to the 18th annual Children's Reader Choice Award celebrating the creative work of Children's authors and illustrators living in British Columbia.

Created in 2002, the Chocolate Lily Book Awards strives to increase literacy for grade school children in British Columbia while celebrating BC authors and illustrators.

We are a registered non-profit reader's choice award.

Our name was inspired by the Chocolate Lily, a flowering plant found growing in British Columbia - but nowhere else in Canada.

Its a rare treat to chance upon this flower while walking coastal woodland areas in early Spring.

* Chocolate Lily photo, 2017 kholtzphotography.com

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Welcome to the 18th annual Children's Reader Choice Award celebrating the creative work of Children's authors and illustrators living in British Columbia. Created in 2002, the Chocolate Lily Book Awards strives to increase literacy for grade school children in British Columbia while celebrating BC authors and illustrators.

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The Red Cedar is British Columbia's Young Reader's Choice book award.

Every year, thousands of children between grades 4 and 7 from across the province are invited to read books from the nominated lists of non-fiction and fiction titles and vote for their favourite.

The purpose of the program is threefold:

1. To enrich and broaden students' reading experiences,

2. To promote literacy through the reading of quality Canadian literature

3. To encourage students' thoughtful evaluation of these reading materials.

The Red Cedar Book Awards are officially "launched" in mid-November each year, and students have the next six months to read and decide which one of the titles on the list they feel is the best Canadian book of the year.

Voting takes place in Late April, and the award winners are announced at the Gala. Students may read books in either the fiction or the non-fiction category (or both if they're really avid readers!). Two awards are given annually to the book from each list receiving the most votes.

To volunteer, please click here.
The 2020 Shortlists are now available!

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The Red Cedar is British Columbia's Young Reader's Choice book award. Every year, thousands of children between grades 4 and 7 from across the province are invited to read books from the nominated lists of non-fiction and fiction titles and vote for their favourite. The purpose of the program is threefold: 1.

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By Gordon Korman
Grades 4 to 8
A top sports player at school falls of a roof. After waking from a coma he has forgotten who he is. In recovering his memories he learns he was a bully and has to discover how he wants to re build his life.

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7+

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11+

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Essential and exceptional titles reviewed in our September 2019 issue, including picture books, middle grade, YA, nonfiction, and graphic novels for children and teens.

Birdsong (Flett) ©2019 by Julie Flett

Picture Books

Flett, Julie.Birdsong. illus. by author. Greystone Kids. Sept. 2019.

Oh, Joowon.Our Favorite Day. illus. by author. Candlewick. Sept. 2019.

Our Favorite Day (Oh) ©2019 by Joowon Oh

Middle Grade

McManis, Charlene Willing with Traci Sorell.Indian No More. Lee & Low/Tu Bks. Sept. 2019.

Garrett, Camryn. Full Disclosure. Knopf. Oct. 2019.

Pink, Randi. Girls Like Us. Feiwel & Friends. Oct. 2019.

Graphic Novels

Nonfiction

Ewing, Chana Ginelle. An ABC of Equality. illus. by Paulina Morgan. Quarto/Frances Lincoln. Sept. 2019.

Hegedus, Bethany. Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou. illus. by Tonya Engel. Lee & Low. Aug. 2019.

Sheinkin, Steve.Born To Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America. illus. by Bijou Karman. Roaring Brook. Sept. 2019.

Winter, Jonah.Thurgood. illus. by Bryan Collier. Random/Schwartz & Wade. Sept. 2019.

Professional Reading

Ahmed, Samira. Internment. Hachette Audio. 2019. p. 88.

Barnes, Derrick. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. Recorded Books. 2019.p. 86.

Bausum, Ann. VIRAL: The Fight Against AIDS in America. Listening Library. 2019. p. 89.

Benjamin, Ali. The Next Great Paulie Fink. Hachette Audio. 2019. 86.

Campbell, K.G. A Small Zombie Problem. Listening Library. 2019. p. 86.

King, A.S. Dig. Listening Library. 2019. p. 90.

Perkins, Mitali. Forward Me Back to You. Listening Library. 2019. p. 91.

Venkatraman, Padma. The Bridge Home. Listening Library. 2019. p. 88.

Get Print. Get Digital. Get Both!

Libraries are always evolving. Stay ahead. Log In.

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36 Superb Titles | Starred Reviews, September 2019

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Essential and exceptional titles reviewed in our September 2019 issue, including picture books, middle grade, YA, nonfiction, and graphic novels for children and teens. Birdsong (Flett) ©2019 by Julie Flett Picture Books Flett, Julie.Birdsong. illus. by author. Greystone Kids. Sept. 2019. Oh, Joowon.Our Favorite Day. illus. by author. Candlewick. Sept.

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By Suzy Lee

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By Suzy Lee

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By Suzy Lee

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Recommended children's books with current reviews of the best reading materials for kids.

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Pictorial list of best books for every grade K to College

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Best Books For Every Year Of School Archives - Book Scrolling

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Best Books, Best Books For Every Year Of School, Education, Kids

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Welcome to KidLit, an online repository of poetry, stories and book reviews by kids! Our website was created for kids (mostly) and for adults interested in quality children's literature. We offer all kids in grades K-12 an opportunity to see their works published on the worldwide web.

There is NO CHARGE to submit your work, so please feel free to share with the world!

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Welcome to KidLit, an online repository of poetry, stories and book reviews by kids! Our website was created for kids (mostly) and for adults interested in quality children's literature. We offer all kids in grades K-12 an opportunity to see their works published on the worldwide web.

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Join our community and get your free Back to School Night PowerPoint!

Subscribe to our email list for weekly updates on new book releases, library lessons and ideas, articles, "librarian perspective" book reviews, and more!

After you sign up, you will receive a welcome email with a link to your free Back to School Night PowerPoint presentation for the library.

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Subscribe to our email list for weekly updates on new book releases, library lessons and ideas, articles, "librarian perspective" book reviews, and more! After you sign up, you will receive a welcome email with a link to your free Back to School Night PowerPoint presentation for the library.

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Requires a subscription but many school districts subscribe and so do public libraries.

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A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Author interviews, book reviews and lively book commentary are found here. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors.