https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz A list of fun stories for grades K-5 en-us 2020-03-10 00:17:43 UTC 2023-02-25 08:45:36 UTC hello@padlet.com kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/457256703 Those Shoes, written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, tells the story of Jeremy, a young boy who wants a certain pair of shoes that all of the boys at his school seem to be wearing, the problem is - his family can't afford them. This is a story that explores complex themes such as money, class, and poverty. It would help teach children about real-world situations they may not be exposed to in their own lives. 

The text and sentence structure is easy to follow and supported by illustrations. The theme is more complex and hard to understand and may need prompting or explicit instruction. I believe this book, for those reasons, is best suited for a 2nd grade level. ]]> 2020-03-10 00:25:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/457256703 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/457256992 Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson,  tells the story of a young boy named CJ and his grandmother and the different people they encounter on their bus ride. This is a story with more complex themes that could help teach children about those facing struggles such as poverty or homelessness. 

The text and sentence structure is easily understandable (accompanied by supporting pictures), however the overall theme may be challenging and difficult for young readers to grasp. I believe this book, for that reason, would best be suited for a 2nd grade audience. ]]> 2020-03-10 00:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/457256992 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493370539 Hello Lighthouse, written by Sophie Blackall, tells the story of a lighthouse and its keeper, whose life is full of adventure, woes, and love. This story can help teach kids about highs and lows they may experience in life along with improving literacy skills. 

The text is overall easy to understand as far as sentence structure, vocabulary, and plot sequence goes. The overall message and theme may be more difficult for readers to understand. It could require deeper thinking or instruction. I think this book would best be suited for a 2nd grade audience. ]]> 2020-04-05 15:43:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493370539 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493374027 The Bad Seed, written by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald, tells the story of a bad seed who learns to be good. This is a lighthearted story that can teach kids about why they should treat others with kindness. It also helps improve basic comprehension and vocabulary for young readers. 

The vocabulary and sentence structure are very simple, clearly intended for a younger audience. The plot and storyline is also easy to follow and supplemented with illustrations along the way. I would reccomend this book for a kindergarten to 1st grade level. ]]> 2020-04-05 15:46:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493374027 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493375695 The Can Man, written by Laura E. Williams and illustrated by Craig Orback, tells the story of young Tim, whose birthday is just a week away. He wants a new skateboard that his parents cannot afford. He's noticed the can man down the street who collects empty soft drink cans for money and decides to join him to earn money for his skateboard. This novel can help to increase understanding in students about those who face difficult circumstances such as homelessness or poverty. 

The vocabulary and sentence structure are not overly complex or difficult, however, the overall theme is. Students may need prompting or instruction to fully understand the message. I believe this book would best be suited for a 2nd-3rd grade level. 


]]> 2020-04-05 15:48:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493375695 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493377351 Bear Came Along, written by Richard T. Morris, describes the adventures of a curious bear who ventures out of his cave to explore. This is a fun and lighthearted story which would improve basic reading skills such as comprehension and vocabulary. 

This book uses simple and straightforward language with detailed illustrations to match. The plot is not complex or detailed. I believe this book would best be suited for a kindergarten to 1st grade level. ]]> 2020-04-05 15:49:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493377351 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493382135 The Year of Billy Miller, written by Kevin Henkes, is a lighthearted and funny story about Billy Miller, a 2nd grade student trying to navigate his way through life, friendship, and elementary school. This novel would be great for young students to read independently, to build their reading skills, such as fluency and comprehension. It would be relatable for them to read about a young character facing problems they may face as well. 

The book is chaptered and longer than what young students may be used to. It may take more time for them to read through (several days of independent reading). However, the language is not overly complex and the story is for the most part easy to understand. I believe this book would be suited for about a 3rd-4th grade level, however, it could go outside of that just depending on individual student reading level.]]> 2020-04-05 15:53:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493382135 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493383692 Truman, written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, tells the story of Sarah, a young girl going off to kindergarten for the first time without her beloved pet turtle Truman by her side. This novel is great for young students who are just learning to read more complex sentences and recognize more complex vocabulary. 

This book may contain some challenging vocabulary and sentence structure, but the overall theme is easy to understand, especially due to the illustrations that go along with the text. I believe, because of that, this text would be appropriate for a kindergarten grade level. 


]]> 2020-04-05 15:55:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493383692 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493385273 Just Ask!, written Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Rafael Lopez, could be used to teach about concepts and differences in the world. The story details a group of children working together to plant a garden. Each child has something about them which makes them unique or different. This novel would be excellent  to increase understanding in students about people who are different or face different issues than them. 

This book doesn't contain very complicated language or sentence structure, however the overall theme may be hard for some students to grasp without explicit instruction. I believe, because of that, this book would best be suited for about a 2nd grade level. ]]> 2020-04-05 15:56:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493385273 kpetrey1 https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493450619 A Big Mooncake for Little Star, written by Grace Lin, tells the story of a little star who over time, eats bits of the mooncake her mother made for her. This is a lighthearted story that will teach students basic literacy concepts like vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. 

This story is easy to follow and is supplemented by colorful illustration which helps young readers better comprehend the plot. The overall theme or message is also not too complex or difficult to grasp. For that reason I would suggest this book for about a 1st grade level. ]]> 2020-04-05 16:53:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kpetrey1/wc21mit13zzz/wish/493450619