Almanac/Atlas
Genre Study
When looking for books that fell under
the almanac/atlas texts, it was very important that these books met the Iowa
Common Core Literacy Standards, as well as the standards for the subject the
book is being used for, somewhere along the lines of the grade level the book
is being used for. This is important because information within the text
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 Standards for the subject they
were being used for as well, such as social studies or science. 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 multiple texts placed somewhere
within my classroom in a place where students will be able to look through them
on their own. Any time a text is used, it is important to find texts 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 almanacs
and atlases 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 texts, I really wanted to focus on texts 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 texts I felt would be good for read alouds, shared
reading, or individual reading for my students. Second, I was looking for
books that would allow students to read easily so they could read while feeling
relaxed, rather than read books that challenge them all the time. Lastly,
and one of the most important things, I chose texts that I thought would grab
the attention of my students who don’t enjoy reading, as well as those who
enjoy reading.
Malam,
J., Woodward, J., & Benton, M. (2006). Dinosaur
atlas. New York: Dorling Kindersley.
Upper Elementary
 |
As one
can gather from the title of the book, the main theme of this book is
dinosaurs. Some great things about this
book include the detailed pictures that provide great visuals for students, the
elaborate descriptions of each concept within the book, as well as the labels
on each picture. Additionally, this book
provides a guide on how to use the atlas at the very beginning which is a great
tool for students to use. Another
feature of this book that makes it rather interesting are the transparent pages
that lay on top of the picture of the dinosaur so students can see the bones
within that dinosaur. Lastly, this book
comes with a CD Rom that students can use to gather additionally information
about dinosaurs. Because dinosaurs
existed all around the world, this book would connect with places all around
the world, including the issues that arise during their period of
extinction. This book is a great
resource to incorporate into the classroom for a dinosaur unit. With that in mind, students might need help
reading the book because some places in the book are harder to understand than
others.
Lilly,
K., & Taylor, B. (1992). The animal
atlas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
4th-5th Grade
 |
Animals
all around the world appears to be the major theme within this book. Some qualities of this book that make it
stand out include the countless animals presented for readers within the book
as well as the abundance of information about those animals. Students can gain a visual of what each
animal looks like through the realistic drawings provided for each animal
within the book. Just like the dinosaur
book, the connections made within this book are global since the animals are all
around the world. While reading this
book, students may need assistance with some of the words used within the text
due to the complexity of some of the words.
Encyclopedia
Genre Study
When looking for books that fell under
the encyclopedia texts, it was very important that these books met the Iowa
Common Core Literacy Standards, as well as the standards for the subject the
book is being used for, somewhere along the lines of the grade level the book
is being used for. This is important because information within the text
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 Standards for the subject they
were being used for as well, such as social studies. 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 multiple texts placed somewhere within my
classroom in a place where students will be able to look through them on their
own. Any time a text is used, it is important to find texts 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
encyclopedias 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 texts, I really wanted to focus on texts 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 texts I felt would be good for read alouds, shared
reading, or individual reading for my students. Second, I was looking for
books that would allow students to read easily so they could read while feeling
relaxed, rather than read books that challenge them all the time. Lastly,
and one of the most important things, I chose texts that I thought would grab
the attention of my students who don’t enjoy reading, as well as those who
enjoy reading.
Wilkes,
A., & Webster, B. (1998). Under the
sea. Chicago, IL: World Book in association with Two-Can Pub.
1st grade read aloud, 2nd-4th
independent
 |
This
cute book talks about animals that live in the ocean, breaking it down into
animals that live in the open ocean and the coral reef. I really liked the bright pictures used
throughout this book because it maintains the attention of students while they
look at it. Additionally, this book
provides a real picture of each animal discussed as well so students can use
another visual to try and create connections to animals they may have seen
pictures of elsewhere. Furthermore, this
book provides fun facts, reviews, and simple descriptions that are all used to
enhance the learning of the reader.
Although no connections to national or global issues arise within the
book, it does talk about the animals that are known worldwide. Younger students looking at this book may
need help reading the more complex words within this book, otherwise little
assistance is needed.
Sabuda,
R., & Reinhard, M. (2005).
Encyclopedia prehistorica dinosaurs. Cambridge, MA.: Candlewick Press.
1st-5th grade
 |
This
awesome pop-up book provides readers with a 3D reading experience while
learning about dinosaurs. Although this
book may not contain very many page, each page provides multiple pop-ups where
readers can read information pertaining to the pop up prior to opening it up to
get a visual of what the dinosaur looked like.
Additionally, the readers interest is also maintained through the bright
colors on the pop-ups. Because dinosaurs
existed all around the world, this book would connect with places all around
the world, including the issues that arise during their period of
extinction. The words used throughout
the text, like the names of the dinosaurs, might cause some students to need
assistance while reading this book.
 |
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