Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Book Club 1: Math & Science

Math
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Genre Study
When looking for books that fell under the math genre, it was very important that these books met the Iowa Common Core Math Standards somewhere along the lines of the grade level the book is being used for.  This is important because information within the book will help cover some of the standards that we as teachers are required to meet with our instruction; it is important we take advantage of tools and resources that help us meet these standards!  Furthermore, I felt it was important that the books I chose met the Iowa Common Core Literacy Standards as well.  This is because books I chose would be used for either a read aloud or shared reading with my students.  Also, I plan to have the books placed somewhere within my classroom in a place where students will be able to look through the book on their own.  Any time a book is used, it is important to find books that help students work on the skills that they are required to develop based on the Iowa Common Core Standards.  Some other qualities I looked for within the books I chose to look for were pictures and graphics that appealed to the students, as well as quality information that enhanced student learning and were presented in a way they could easily understand.  Lastly, for math books I searched for books that would depict alternative methods for students to complete problems and questions.  I felt this was important because there are certain math operations that can be look at in different ways; this allows students to find a method that is the best fit for themselves.

While choosing books, I really wanted to focus on books that would have multiple uses within my classroom because I felt it would enhance the information I was presenting to my students.  Also, I felt it would serve as additional resources students could be used to look at problem solving.  With these ideas in mind, I looked for books I felt would be good for read alouds, shared reading, or individual reading for my students.  Second, I looked for books that would challenge my students’ independent level of reading, for my students who read at grade level.  However, there were some books I chose that would challenge my students who were at the lower levels of reading because it is always important to provide resources for students of every reading level within my classroom.  Third, I chose books that would help students look at problems in multiple ways.  Lastly, and one of the most important things, I chose books that I thought would grab the attention of my students who don’t enjoy reading.  These students continuously struggle to find books they like the read, so it is very important that we find books that allow them to develop an interest in a concept so they can continue to practice and develop important reading strategies.

Leedy, L. (1995). 2x2 = boo! A set of spokky multiplication stories. New York: Holiday House.
3rd grade
www.amazon.com
            Just as the name hints, the major theme within this book is multiplication.  This book has some pretty cool ways of describing the process of multiplication for the number 0-5.  To assist the descriptions of each process, the book provides some great pictures that go along with the descriptions provided in text; I found this very important for a math text.  When looking through this book there were no issues discussed within the text for it to connect to global issues; it does connect globally through the idea that multiplication is a global math concept.  After looking through this book, I felt like this book should be used more for a reference book or a teacher read aloud because I think some students would have a very difficult time determining the order to read the conversation bubbles in the book without any support.

Merriam, E. & Karlin, B. (1992). Twelve ways to get to eleven. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
First grade independent, Kindergarten read aloud
Lexile 60L
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            There are two major themes present within this text: adding and number sense.  This book is a great book to use as a resource to show students the multiple ways to reach the number eleven.  Text features within this book, such as large print, are suited for young students.  Bright pictures that correspond with the text are great ways to keep student interest, as well as provide multiple sensory learning.  Just like the other math book, there were no issues discussed within the text for it to connect to global issues; it does connect globally through the idea that multiplication is a global math concept.  I feel that students will need little support from the teacher because the book provides excellent explanations of the concept of addition.

Science
Genre Study
When looking for books that fell under the Science genre, it was very important that these books met the Iowa Common Core Science Standards somewhere along the lines of the grade level the book is being used for.  This is important because information within the book will help cover some of the standards that we as teachers are required to meet with our instruction; it is important we take advantage of tools and resources that help us meet these standards!  Furthermore, I felt it was important that the books I chose met the Iowa Common Core Literacy Standards as well.  This is because books I chose would be used for either a read aloud or shared reading with my students.  Also, I plan to have the books placed somewhere within my classroom in a place where students will be able to look through the book on their own.  Any time a book is used, it is important to find books that help students work on the skills that they are required to develop based on the Iowa Common Core Standards.  Some other qualities I looked for within the books I chose to look for were pictures and graphics that appealed to the students, as well as quality information that enhanced student learning and were presented in a way they could easily understand.

While choosing books, I really wanted to focus on books that would have multiple uses within my classroom because I felt it would enhance the information I was presenting to my students.  Also, I felt it would serve as additional resources students could use to increase the knowledge of the concept being discussed.  With these ideas in mind, I looked for books I felt would be good for read alouds, shared reading, or individual reading for my students.  Second, I looked for books that would challenge my students’ independent level of reading, for my students who read at grade level.  However, there were some books I chose that would challenge my students who were at the lower levels of reading because it is always important to provide resources for students of every reading level within my classroom.  Third, I chose books that would provide students with background knowledge of a concept that they would need prior to diving too far into a unit.  Lastly, and one of the most important things, I chose books that I thought would grab the attention of my students who don’t enjoy reading.  These students continuously struggle to find books they like the read, so it is very important that we find books that allow them to develop an interest in a concept so they can continue to practice and develop important reading strategies.

Nye, B., & Saunders, I. G. (1999). Big blue ocean. Hong Kong: Hyperion Books for Children.
4th Grade Independent, 2nd and 3rd grade read aloud
Lexile 870L
www.billnye.com
            This book would make a great read aloud for students at the 2nd and 3rd grade level as well because it would grab the attention of students’ interests in these grade levels.  As one can gather from the name, the major themes of this book are centered on the ocean.  The Big Blue Ocean talks about the animals and plants that are found living in the ocean and provides great descriptions of these animals.  Furthermore, it talks about the make-up of the ocean and how currents and tides are formed.  Some great qualities of this book includes the descriptions about each theme, definitions provided about these themes, sections that provide interesting information for students, and experiments and activities throughout the book that further engage students into the book!  Another great thing about this book is that students can develop connections with other areas of the work because the Check It Out! section provides students with information about things going on around the world pertaining to the ocean.  One important thing to remember is that students may need assistance while reading this book when it specific concepts are broken down into further detail if they have not received any prior knowledge about these concepts.  Furthermore, students may need assistance when it comes time to completing the activities and experiments.

Sweeny, J. (2000). Me and my amazing body. New York: Dragonfly Books
2nd Grade Independent, Kindergarten and 1st grade read aloud
Lexile 710L
www.amazon.com
            Major themes of this book include a look at the body, organs within, and how these organs work inside of our body.  The pictures inside this book are very helpful because they give students a basic internal look of the organs being discussed in the book.  This view allows students to see where the organ is located and develop a general idea of what the organ looks like.  Instead of talking about these terms in a complex manner, students at the lower elementary level can easily understand the content because the content is student friendly.  There really aren’t any connections to issues around the world, but it does discuss a concept that almost every person and the world has exactly the same.  Because this book is written for a younger audience, students should be able to read and listen to this text with little support from the teacher; however, some students may need assistance when it comes to the brief prior knowledge of some parts of the body.




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