Snippet: Just a Minute; A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Just a Minute; A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
By Yuyi Morales

This beautifully illustrated picture book was the winner of the Pura Belpre Award in 2004 for its amazing artwork.

Just a Minute is a charming story of how Grandma Beetle tricks Señor Calavera into letting her have one more birthday.

As a counting book, it serves as a great introduction to counting in English and in Spanish. This book can also be used to build number sense by having students follow along with the counting sequence (TEKS connection – Mathematics A-3, PK-3rd grades). Additionally, I chose this book to help my bilingual Pre-K students draw connections between counting in English and counting in Spanish.

Another unique fact about this book is that every scene has Grandma Beetle’s cat in it. Sometimes she is hidden, sometime she is not. It can be quite fun for students to try to find the cat on every page.

Here is a snippet of writing from the first few pages:

When Grandma Beetle woke at dawn, she heard a know at the door. And, oh my, waiting outside she found Señor Calavera.
Señor Calavera tipped his hat. What a skinny gentleman! With a pass of his hand he signaled to Grandma Beetle. It was time for her to come along with him.

 

“Just a minute, Señor Calavera,” Grandma Beetle said. “I will do with you right away, I have just ONE house to sweep.”
Señor Calavera remembered he had extra time today. So he decided to wait.
UNO – One swept house, counted Señor Calavera and he rose from his seat.

“Just a minute Señor Calavera”…

The Scrambled States of America by: Laurie Keller

The Scrambled States of America

The Scrambled States of America is one of many books that Laurie Keller has written about the states. This picture book is a humorous look at geography in the United States. It all starts with grumpy Kansas wanting to meet new states and try a different spot in the United States. The images and humor will certainly entertain and educate students of all ages. Although the story is entirely false, the book does a great job of explaining where all the states are and what the geography is like. It could be used to introduce the states in a third or fourth grade classroom (Social Studies TEKS 6) or to talk about the geography of the United States.

Here is a snippet from The Scrambled States of America:

Well, it was just your basic, ordinary day in the good old U.S. of A. States all over the country were waking up, having their first cups of coffee, reading the morning paper, and enjoying the beautiful sunrise. All the states, that is, except for Kansas. He was not feeling happy at all. How do I know this? Because he said, “I’m not feeling happy at all!”

“What’s wrong?” his best friend, Nebraska, kindly asked him. (Nebraska is a very kind state.) “I don’t know,” moaned Kansas. “I just feel bored. All day long we just sit here in the middle of the country. We never go anywhere. We never do anything, and we never meet any new states!”

“Hmm…” said Nebraska. “Don’t get me wrong, Nebraska. You’re the best friend a state could have. But don’t you ever want more? Don’t you ever want to see what else is out there?” “Yes! Yes, I do!” Nebraska said excitedly. “And now that you mention it, I’m sick and tired of hearing North Dakota and South Dakota bicker all the time!”

“I have a great idea!” exclaimed Kansas. “Let’s have a party and invite all the other states! You know, one of those get-to-know-you deals. Everyone can bring a favorite dish. We could have music and dancing…” “That’s a great idea!” shrieked Nebraska. “I wish I’d thought of it myself.”

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Snippet

The image is linked to Amazon.com if you would like to buy a copy for you or your class. 😉

 

     The Lightning Thief is the first book in a series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Percy Jackson is a 12 year old boy on the verge of being expelled– again. But during a field trip that has promised to be boring, he finds himself confronted with mythological monsters and eventually the gods of Mount Olympus. Unfortunately,  when Zeus’s master lightning bolt is stolen he becomes the prime suspect.

I was first introduced to this book while working as an intern in a third grade classroom. The teacher would read this book to his students if there were a few extra minutes between transitions times, such as before being dismissed for the day or before going to specials. I, as well as the other children in the class, became fascinated by the book’s language and suspense.

 

Here is a Snippet from the first chapter:

     “Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood.
       If you’re reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life.
      Being a half-blood is dangerous. It’s scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways.
      If you’re a normal kid, reading this because you think it’s fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened.
      But if you recognize yourself in these pages– if you feel something stirring inside– stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it’s only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they’ll come for you.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

 

      My name is Percy Jackson.
I’m twelve years old. Until a few months ago, I was a boarding student at Yancy Academy, a private school for troubled kids in upstate New York.
Am I a troubled kid?
Yeah. You could say that.

    I could start at any point in my short miserable life to prove it, but things really started going bad last May, when our sixth-grade class took a field trip to Manhattan– twenty-eight mental-case kids and two teachers on a yellow school bus, heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to look at ancient Greek and Roman stuff.
I know– it sounds like torture. Most Yancy field trips were.

   But Mr. Brunner, our Latin teacher, was leading this trip, so I had hopes.
   Mr. Brunner was a middle-aged guy in a motorized wheelchair. He had thinning hair and a scruffy beard and a frayed tweed jacket, which always smelled like coffee. You wouldn’t think he’d be cool, but he told stories and jokes and let us play games in class. He also had this awesome collection of Roman armor and weapons, so he was the only teacher whose class didn’t put me to sleep.

I hoped the trip would be okay. At least, I hoped that for once I wouldn’t get in trouble.

Boy, was I wrong.”

Eileen C.

Author Presentation: Kristine O’Connell George

Kristine O’Connell George is one of the principle voices in contemporary children’s poetry.  Her beautifully written poetry effortlessly communicates her love of nature and the outdoors. Throughout her twelve published works, George spans themes such as relationships, like those with our parents or siblings, nature, animals, special moments within our lives, and the natural beauty of the outside world.  Her use of imagery, point of view, and imaginative voice throughout all of her works allows her to weave magical tales in just a few short lines.  Her poems would pair best with the Science TEKS in grades 1st-3rd relating to the study of frogs, life cycles, trees, and plants.

 

Ashley Bryan by Laura Colley

Ashley Bryan is a children’s author and illustrator who wasn’t published until he was forty years old. He mainly focuses on the African American experiences and subjects. He focuses on African American history, folktales, and spirituals. He is the first African American who published a book he wrote and illustrator.

His poems and books are lyrical and use alliteration and onomatopoeia. You can use his work Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum to introduce folktales connecting to the Social Studies 1st grade TEKS.

Here is a sound clip of Ashley Bryan explaining his life story and where his inspiration comes from as well as reading words to My Life’s Song.

Pat Mora Author Presentation

Pat Mora Presentation

Below is a brief author presentation about Pat Mora.  She is a leading figure in contemporary Hispanic poetry and committed to promoting children’s literacy.  Her literature can easily be used to enrich lessons in social studies since her work emphasizes the importance of diversity, culture, family, and nature.  For instance, one of the ways for integrating Pat Mora’s work in the classroom is by reading the poems in Confetti and having students prepare a “Me Bag” that contains different items about their culture and have them share with their classmates.

Here’s a read-aloud of one of the poems from Confetti by Pat Mora: Confetti

 

Monica Brown

Monica Brown, Ph.D. is the author of award-winning books for children, including My Name Is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/Me llamo Celia: La vida de Celia Cruz (Luna Rising), a recipient of the Américas Award for Children’s Literature and a Pura Belpré Honor. Monica’s books are inspired by her Peruvian-American heritage and desire to share Latino/a stories with children. “I write from a place of deep passion, joy, and commitment to producing the highest possible quality of literature for children. In my biographies, the lives of my subjects are so interesting and transformational that I am simply giving them voice for a young audience. I don’t think it is ever too early to introduce children to the concepts of magical realism, social justice, and dreaming big!”

 

 

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes on Prezi

Langston Hughes is a famous poet and a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that occurred between the 1920s and 30s. His poems have a rhythmic sound and are often easy to read aloud (which will be very useful to me as a teacher). Many of his poems  and other writings portray racial relationships in the US and can easily be used in a social studies lesson about the civil rights movement (TEKS 5C). Enjoy!

 

Seymour Simon

Seymour Simon is the author of more than 250 wonderful science books. Many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teacher Association.  His collection of books are filled with wonderful picture of animals, space, earth, dinosaurs, and so much more. He also has a wide range of Spanish books that really help students with their cognitive development. Seymour Simon’s books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun.

Joanna Cole: Making Science Fun One Book At A Time

Joanna Cole was originally a librarian eventually turned editor and then became a very successful children’s book author. She is originally from New Jersey and still lives there with her husband. She is mostly known for her writing The Magic School Bus Series, but she also writes many books concerning children life lessons. She is still writing books for her Magic School Bus series, which turned into a television series, as well as movies available. So far she has written over 250 nonfiction and fiction children’s books. Cole uses humor to attract students to science and make sure they have fun learning. This video below is all about Joanna Cole. It explains her works, as well as her biography. This is something you could show your kids before introducing them to the magic school bus series.