Animal Planet - Ocean Animals and Polar Animals

Titles: Animal Planet - Ocean Animals and Animal Planet - Polar Animals  
Publisher: Animal Planet 
Publication Date: February, 16, 2016
Genre/Format: Non-Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary - Ocean Animals: With more than 200 gorgeous animal photos of sharks, whales, clown fish, jelly fish, dolphins, and others, Animal Planet Ocean Animals is a fun, habitat-by-habitat guide that provides kids in the first years of schooling with the perfect bite-sized view of their favorite ocean-dwelling animals. Arranged thematically with focus on animal behavior and family relationships, young readers will explore sections about animal bodies, baby animals, food, play time, conservation and more. Special book features designed for this age group include Quick Bites sidebars with cool animal facts, simple infographics, and illustrated maps of Earth's watery environments.
GoodReads Summary - Polar Animals: With more than 200 gorgeous animal photos of penguins, polar bears, sea lions, walruses, reindeer and others, Animal Planet Polar Animals is a fun, habitat-by-habitat guide that provides kids in the first years of schooling with the perfect bite-sized view of their favorite animals living in both polar climates. Arranged thematically with focus on animal behavior and family relationships, young readers will explore sections about animal bodies, baby animals, food, play time, conservation, and more. Special book features designed for this age group include Quick Bites sidebars with cool animal facts, simple infographics, and illustrated maps of the coldest places on Earth.
What I Think: Non-fiction is so cool these days! Both Ocean Animals and Polar Animals are great additions to the amazing non-fiction available to kids these days. Both of these books are full of wonderful, colorful photographs that draw readers in. Several different topics as they relate to ocean and polar animals are covered. I really enjoyed how both of these books didn't focus on the animals, the focus instead is on a particular topic or idea related to these animals and then pictures and text on the pages support the topic. It's a neat way of approaching the ideas and building a bigger picture for readers. 
     In my experience, kids love books like Guinness World Record books and these are similar but based on science topics. As we see more and more choice and curiosity being celebrated in schools - especially with experiences like Genius Hour - I could see using these books as starting points for kids who are interested in a science topic but are looking for a topic to research more about. You can also send them to the Animal Planet blog for ideas too!
     As a mentor text, use these books to look at how to write clear an concise information that focuses on the key ideas. A powerful writing skills, particularly when it comes to non-fiction! 
Read Together: Grades K - 3 
Read Alone: Grades K - 3 
Read With: What If You Had Animal Teeth? by Sandra Markle, Non-Fiction books by Nic Bishop, Non-Fiction books by Seymour Simon, The Beetle Book and others by Steven Jenkins  
Snatch of Text:  

Ocean Animals

"Caring for our oceans

More than 96 percent of Earth's water can be found in the oceans. They affect the air we breatehe, our climate, and the weather. The oceans are an important source of food for animals and people, too."

Polar Animals

"Family face time

Walruses lie on the rocks in heaps that look almost like piles of rocks themselves. They're very sociable and spend time in groups. There's always at least one old guy who spits when he talks, and there is a lot of bellowing. Sound like your family?" 

Writing Prompts: Read about the different animals and choose one to research more about. Write your own non-fiction piece that brings your animal to life for readers. 
Topics Covered: Integration - Science 

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Reproductive Rights: Who Decides?

Title: Reproductive Right: Who Decides?
Author: Vicky Oransky Wittenstein   
Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books (CT) 
Publication Date: January 1st, 2016
Genre/Format: Non-Ficton/Expository 
GoodReads Summary: Examine reproductive rights through a historical lens, from early history's methods for family planning to the introduction of the Pill in the 1960s and the Roe v Wade decision of the 1970s, to contemporary legal and societal battlegrounds. 
What I Think: I'm amazed by all the history included in this book! It's completely fascinating. Vicki takes a somewhat controversial topic and writes about it from a very matter-of-fact perspective. It's clear and concise and informative at the same time. You'll find a blend of text and non-fiction features to support readers.
     Honestly, I don't envy healthy and physical education teachers who have to discuss this topic with students! But if I were teaching this topic, I would definitely appreciate having this as s resource.
    As a mentor text, this would be a great text to use when talking about voice in a text. Clearly, this book has a much more clearcut sense of voice even though it as accessible to readers.
Read Together: Grades 8 - 12 
Read Alone: Grades 7 - 12 
Writing Prompts: Choose one of the topics in the book that interest you and see what additional research you can find to learn more about that topic.
Topics Covered: Integration - Health, Integration - History, Wellness 
Additional Resources: Before becoming an author, VICKI ORANKSY WITTENSTEIN prosecuted criminal cases as an assistant district attorney with the Manhattan District Attorney's office. She earned an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Vicki has written a number of science articles and books for the juvenile market, including Planet Hunter: Geoff Marcy and the Search for Other Earths, which won the 2011 Science Communication Award from the American Institute of Physics. Her book For the Good of Mankind? The Shameful History of Human Medical Experimentation was a Junior Literary Guild selection. Vicki and her husband live in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her website at vickiwittenstein.com.

Praise for REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: WHO DECIDES?

★"Though slim, this volume packs a wallop."  --Booklist (starred review)

"Well written and impeccably researched, this volume will appeal to budding activists and feminists and to those concerned about human rights." --School Library Journal

A Junior Library Guild Selection

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Check out all the previous stops on the blog tour!

Mon, Feb 15	Proseandkahn	http://proseandkahn.blogspot.com/
Tues, Feb 16	The Book Monsters	http://thebookmonsters.com/
Wed, Feb 17	Library Fanatic	http://www.thelibraryfanatic.com/
Thurs, Feb 18	Kid Lit Frenzy	http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/
Fri, Feb 19	The Nonfiction Detectives	http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/
Sat, Feb 20	Ms. Yingling Reads	http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/
Mon, Feb 22	The Launch Pad	http://info.vcfa.edu/vcfa-launch-pad
Tues, Feb 23	Through the Tollbooth	http://www.throughthetollbooth.com/
Wed, Feb 24	Unleashing Readers	http://www.unleashingreaders.com/
Thurs, Feb 25	The Pirate Tree	http://www.thepiratetree.com/
Fri, Feb 26	Teach Mentor Texts	http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz3yHmVeUfE

Giant Pandas and Pandas

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, I'll review non-fiction picture book. (It may not always be a picture book. Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other non-fiction books are shared this week!

Title: Giant Pandas (Endangered and Threatened Animals) 
Author: Brenda Haugen  
Publisher: Capstone Press 
Publication Date: July 2012  
Genre/Format: Non-Fiction/Informational/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: Describes the life cycle and characteristics of pandas, including physical and environmental threats to the species. 
Snatch of Text: "On a cold, wet mountain in central China, a black and white bear sits in a dimly lit forest. Sunlight streams through the coniferous trees, shining its light on the bamboo growing beneath. The giant panda chews a stalk of the woody grass. Its powerful jaws make quick work of its meal. The panda is in no hurry. The shy animal will move only bout 500 yards (457 meters) all day. Pandas spend most of their waking hours filling their round bellies with bamboo.
     Many species of bamboo grow in the forests. Despite the variety, pandas only like 25 types of bamboo. And only a few are found where pandas call home. But that's not all. Fewer forests mean fewer pandas. This unique bear is disappearing." (p. 4)  

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Title: Pandas (National Geographic Kids) 
Author: Anne Schreiber    
Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books 
Publication Date: January 2010 
Genre/Format: Non-Fiction/Informational/Picture Book  
GoodReads Summary: The whole world loves panda bears. Everyone loves to watch them play, climb, cuddle, and chew. But careful, they can scratch too—just look at that tree! Pandas live in wild places very faraway, and they are the STAR ATTRACTIONS of every zoo that keeps them safe and well, all over the world.  
Snatch of Text: "Bamboo for breakfast, bamboo for lunch, bamboo for dinner, and bamboo to munch. What do pandas eat? You guessed it - bamboo! It makes up almost all of a panda's diet." (p. 12) 

I *heart* It:

What I Think: I learned so much about giant pandas and red pandas even. These books work well separately but also together. We read the National Geographic book first, it's more of an introduction to pandas and their habits and habitats. There are some panda jokes throughout the book that were amusing. Overall, this book is more colorful and visually appealing.
     Giant Pandas is a more specific resource that shares more information about the giant pandas being endangered, what is being done to support them, and what readers can do to help. It also has a few great visuals that help readers understand the information that is being presented. While the colors are more muted, there is a great map that shows how the size of the pandas' habitat has changed from prehistoric times until now and a comparison of how big a giant panda actually is to a six-foot-tall man. The text features in this book seemed to be much more helpful and clear.
     Pandas are completely adorable, the photographs of the pandas in both of the books are wonderful and charming. They seem to capture the true gentle spirit of pandas. By reading both of these, we learned a lot about pandas. While I knew they ate lots of bamboo and that there are not many pandas left, I didn't quite understand just how much bamboo they really eat or how few pandas there are in the world. Sharing these two books is a great way to compare two resources and then to head off to do more research to find other resources to compare. Students could research more information about pandas or even learn more about endangered animals and the impact humans are having on animal habitats and animals in general.
Read Together: Grades K - 6 
Read Alone: Grades K - 6 
Read With: Can We Save the Tiger by Martin Jenkins, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Asking Questions, Author's Purpose, Using Non-Fiction Text Features
Writing Strategies to Practice: Expository, Persuasive, Compare and Contrast 
Writing Prompts: After reading about pandas, write a persuasive argument to convince readers to support pandas or other endangered animals in some way.  
Topics Covered: Integration - Science, Endangered Animals, Compassion, Integration - Social Studies 

The Beetle Book - Must Read Mentor Texts

Each week Stacia and Amanda at Collaboration Cuties host a Must-Read Mentor Texts link-up. There is a different theme focus every week throughout the month and blogs can link up on Sundays. I'll be rotating through reviews of different mentor texts for language arts, math, science, and social studies. You can check out their blog for previous link-ups to connect with other mentor texts they have shared and other bloggers have reviewed, too. This week, we're talking mentor texts for science!

Title: The Beetle Book 
Author: Steve Jenkins 
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins 
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: April, 2012 
Genre/Format: Non-Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: 
Beetles squeak and beetles glow.
Beetles stink, beetles sprint, 
beetles walk on water.
With legs, antennae, horns, beautiful shells, knobs, and other oddities—what’s not to like about beetles?
The beetle world is vast: one out of every four living things on earth is a beetle.There are over 350,000 different species named so far and scientists suspect there may be as many as a million.From the goliath beetle that weighs one fourth of a pound to the nine inch long titan beetle, award-winning author-illustrator Steve Jenkins presents a fascinating array of these intriguing insects and the many amazing adaptations they have made to survive. 
What I Think: As I read The Beetle Book, I had flashbacks to when I read Nic Bishop's Spiders. This book is page after pages of beetles and some cool but make-me-squirm facts. I tend to enjoy insects when they are in books but even reading about these insects has my skin crawling a bit. I have a definitely have a different appreciation for beetles as a species but I still would rather not encounter most of the beetles in this book.
     What I do love about this book is that Steve Jenkins's artwork is as wonderful as always and he includes silhouette images of each beetle on a two-page layout so readers can see that actual size of the bugs he is talking about. (It's a relief when most of them are small...but some of them are pretty big!) There is a short introduction to the main idea being shared on each layout and then each bug featured has a short paragraph to describe how it relates to the main idea. We have a wonderful "living natural history museum" near to us called the Wildlife Discovery Center. Peanut has had his birthday party there for the last two years and it's a wonderful place where they have many different animals for the kids to meet and learn about. Oftentimes, they talk about frogs, toads, snakes, turtles, alligators, and lizards and their defense mechanisms. It's fascinating to hear about how each animal protects itself and how unique some of their defense mechanisms are. I loved the section in The Beetle Book about defense mechanisms. It made me realize how easily students can compare and contrast how animals defend themselves but also other aspects of their lives as well.
     You know the fact books like the Guinness Book of World Records collections? It seems like most kids are fascinated by those books. They contain so many pictures and the pictures are usually wild or creepy that kids can't help but look at them. I think The Beetle Book has that same kind of allure but with a much more specific and academic focus. Kids will love learning about the beetles in this book!
Read Together: Grades K - 6 
Read Alone: Grades K - 6 
Read With: Spiders and other books by Nic Bishop, Beetle Bop by Denise Fleming, Actual Size and others by Steve Jenkins
Snatch of Text:  

"The titan beetle is the world's longest 

beetle. It jaws are powerful enough

to snap a pencil in half. This huge

insect lives in the Amazon rainforest." (p. 31)

Reading Strategies to Practice: Comparing and Contrasting, Using Non-Fiction Text Features, Author's Purpose
Writing Strategies to Practice: Compare and Contrast, Main Idea and Supporting Details, Similes, Metaphors, Expository
Writing Prompts: Animals may have similar or dissimilar habitats, eating habits, hunting habits, life cycles, or defense mechanisms. Compare and contrast one beetle to another beetle, or compare and contrast a beetle to another animal.
Topics Covered: Integration - Science, Beetles, Insects

I *heart* It:

Prehistoric Actual Size

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too. 

Title: Prehistoric Actual Size
Author: Steve Jenkins

Illustrator: Steve Jenkins

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Publication Date: 2005

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Picture Book

Goodreads Summary: What is it like to come face-to-face with the ten-foot-tall terror bird? Or stare into the mouth of the largest meat eater ever to walk the earth? Can you imagine a millipede that is more than six feet long, or a dinosaur smaller than a chicken? In this "actual size” look at the prehistoric world, which includes two dramatic gatefolds, you’ll meet these awe-inspiring creatures, as well as many others.

What I Think: When I read Jen's review of Actual Size, I was intrigued by the concept and instantly put it on hold at the library; however, I got even more excited when I saw Prehistoric Actual Size because I love all things prehistoric. Ever since the first Jurassic Park came out, I wanted to learn everything about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. This book is exactly what someone like me needs- a book that mixes small bits of information like how long ago an animal lived and how long/tall it is with a informational narrative that takes you through 18 different prehistoric animals and fun little tidbits of information about them.
     I would love to use this in my classroom to start a lesson about researching and inquiry. I would read Prehistoric Actual Size with my students, allow them to choose one of them that they would like to learn more about, and have them research. This book would be a great jumping off point for students. 

Read Together: Grades K to 5

Read Alone: Grades 2 and up

Read With: Actual Size by Steve Jenkins, Discovery Channel's Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Predators by Joe Brusha, Giant Squid by Mary M. Cerulla 

Snatch of Text: "Animals have lived on earth for hundreds of millions of years. Dragonflies the size of seagulls, meat-eating dinosaurs bigger than a bus, giant flying reptiles, fierce predatory birds eight feet tall - they all appeared, thrived for millions of years, and then died out as the world changed around them. In this book you'll see what these prehistoric animals, along with many others, may have looked like at actual size." (p. 3)

Mentor Text for: Research, Inquiry, Informational Nonfiction, Text Features

Writing Prompts: Which one of these prehistoric creatures would you like to learn more about? Research about them and share your discoveries. 

Topics Covered: Dinosaurs, Prehistoric Animals

I *heart* It:

Actual Size

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: Actual Size 
Author: Steve Jenkins  
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins 
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Childrens Book 
Publication Date: December 2006 
Genre/Format: Non-Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: Caldecott Honor winner Steve Jenkins delivers this mammoth-sized animal book that shows moths, ostrich heads, anteater tongues, and other animal features in actual size. Working with stunning torn- and cut-paper collages set against stark white backgrounds, Jenkins briefly describes exotic animals -- listing their length, weight, and other stats -- as he showcases what makes each of them so remarkable. Whether it's a Goliath birdeater tarantula at a gargantuan 12 inches across, a pygmy mouse lemur at 2 inches tall next to a gorilla's hand, or an eye-popping fold-out of a saltwater crocodile's head, Jenkins's life-size depictions of animals -- accompanied by extended blurbs in the back -- are a wondrous treat.  
What I Think: We fell in love with this book instantly at our house. My kids love animals and non-fiction and there were definitely audible gasps as we turned the pages and discovered new animals - or animals in different ways - in this book. Imagining what animals might look like in real life can be very abstract for kids. Actual Size really helps kids make connections between themselves and animals and their sizes. I particularly enjoy how visual this book is and that there is simple text to support the artwork. At the end, Jenkins gives longer descriptions of each of the animals in the book with pictures of the animals. When we read about the crocodile I was surprised that it is known as a man-eater. I quickly turned to the back to see if there was some clarification around that. Reading non-fiction is especially fun when it leads you to other texts, be it more non-fiction or even fiction. What a great book to use to introduce this because further reading is right there in the text itself. If a reader still wants more after the information in the back of the book, then he or she can search for other resources to get more information. This book seems like it would be a great way to introduce non-fiction and research. By incorporating actual sizes of animals (and their parts), Jenkins captures readers attention but also piques their desire to know more.
Read Together: Grades Pre-K - 5  
Read Alone: Grades - Pre-K - 5 
Read With: Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid by H.P. Newquist, Butterflies and Moths and others by Nic Bishop, Where in the Wild? by David M. Schwartz, Sharks and others by Seymour Simon, Mister Seahorse and others by Eric Carle (artwork) 
Snatch of Text: "The saltwater crocodile, the world's largest reptile, is a man-eater." 
Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Making Predictions, Visualizing, Using Non-Fiction Text Features, Asking Questions
Writing Strategies to Practice: Expository, Commas, Research  
Writing Prompts: Write an "actual size" expository book about yourself. Trace parts of your body on to the pages and tell something about yourself related to each part you trace.  
Topics Covered: Integration - Science, Animals

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Let's Make a Difference: We Can Help Orangutans

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: Let's Make a Difference: We Can Help Orangutans

Author: Gabriella Francine

Publisher: BBM Books

Publication Date: October, 2013

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Picture Book

Goodreads Summary: This fun and colorful book helps children come up with strategies to contribute to the well-being of orangutans.

What I Think: Protecting apes is a passion of mine and I love that this nonfiction book for kids not only teaches kids about orangutans, which are such amazing creatures, but it also teaches the reader about what it means to be endangered, rain forests, palm oil and how even the littlest person can help. I like that no where in the book does it seem to talk down to the reader. When I look at nonfiction for kids, I want it to include the same facts as it would for adults and this one does. 
     The first half of the book is primarily about the orangutan species and what makes them unique as well as why they are endangered. The second half shares how kids can help the orangutans. All of this is accompanied with beautiful illustrations and fun facts throughout. 

     I love that this book (and I hope a series) shows children that they can make a difference. That the decline in our Earth does not have to be something that we just sit and come to terms with; there are ways to make it better. 

Read Together: Grades K to 3

Read Alone: Grades 1 to 5

Read With: Ape by Lisa Magloff, Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours by Jane Goodall, Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins

Snatch of Text: "Even if you can't visit, you can help." (p. 21) 

"Orangutan Fun Fact: Not just birds have nests. Orangutans will build a nest every night high in the trees, to sleep in. Sometimes they even add a roof of leaves!" (p. 8)

Mentor Text for: Nonfiction Text Features, Author's Purpose 

Writing Prompts: What are some other ways that you could help the orangutan and its habitat? 

Topics Covered: Orangutans, Endangered Species, Palm Oil, Fundraising, Organizations

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An Inside Look at the U.S. Navy SEALs

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: An Inside Look at the U.S. Navy SEALs

Author: Joe Funk

Art Director: Daniel Tideman

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: September, 2011

Genre: Informational Nonfiction

Goodreads Summary: The United States Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, and Land) teams have been called the very best of America's elite warriors. While their missions are often shrouded in secrecy, and their names and faces must remain unknown to the public, these premier special forces gained worldwide attention when a SEAL team carried out a mission to bring down Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011. Now kids can get a firsthand look at these brave heroes and their top-secret missions with this full-color book that's packed with photos.

What I Think: This year I have more students who want to join the military then every before. Because of this, I am trying to bulk up my nonfiction books that have to do with the military to A) Interest them & B) Teach them about what their dreams entail. This book will definitely fit both of my goals. 

     Being a U.S. SEAL is not something to just mention lightly. They are some of the most respected members of our military and I personally had no idea how much went into becoming one. This book definitely lays out all aspects of becoming, being, and living as a SEAL so students who are interested in doing so will know exactly what they need to do to reach their goal. It is also done in a very structured way with chapters dealing with each aspect and many photographs and facts to back up the chapters. It also has many other text features including maps and a glossary to assist the reader. This is definitely an inside look at being a SEAL and I can see why my students find this nonfiction book fascinating.

Read Together: Grades 4 to 8

Read Alone: Grades 6 and up 

Read With: Other non-fiction books about the Navy and U.S. SEALs, Non-fiction books about Osama Bin Laden

Snatch of Text: "What is a SEAL? The United States Navy SEALs are among the most elite fighting foreces in the world. Trained to operate in the SEa, Air, and Land (which creates the acronym for their name), their small teams are sent on some of the hardest missions the United States conducts, all in the interest of protecting our country. Often operating in the most dangerous hot spots around the globe, SEALs work silently and stealthily, and can carry out their missions any time of day and night." (p. 4) 

Mentor Text for: Nonfiction Text Features, Making Connections

Writing Prompts: A U.S. Navy SEAL is one of the most dangerous jobs that I've ever read about; based on what you read, why would one choose to be a SEAL? 

Topics Covered: Navy SEALs, Military, Vehicles, Weapons, Gadgets, Aircraft, Military Dogs, Bin Laden Operation

I *heart* It:

 

What If You Had Animal Teeth!?

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: What If You Had Animal Teeth!?  
Author: Sandra Markle
Illustrator: Howard McWilliam 
Publisher: Scholastic 
Publication Date: January 2013 
Genre/Format: Non-Fiction-Expository/Picture Book
GoodReads Summary: If you could have any animal's front teeth, whose would you choose? If you chose an elephant's, you could dig holes and pull up tree roots. If you had a beaver's, you'd have orange teeth! And if you had a naked mole rat's set of teeth, you could move each one separately, like chopsticks! The animal kingdom has lots of cool teeth, but yours are pretty awesome, too!  
What I Think: We picked this book up at the Scholastic Book Fair last week. The kiddo on the front cover with animal teeth really caught our attention. All of the illustrations and pictures are very appealing. We couldn't get home fast enough to read this book. We had fun imagining what it might be like to have different teeth but also reading the facts about how each animal uses their teeth.
     Reading this book was very timely in our house because Peanut just lost his first baby tooth a little less than two weeks ago. Losing teeth is exciting but scary at the same time. It was nice for him to read a book that acknowledged what he might be feeling about losing teeth but that really focused on how we use our teeth and how animals use their teeth.
     I can see how using this text with lower elementary students would be great because it would be engaging for them. Losing teeth is something that will or has happened to them so they can relate to it. The text is short and each two-page layout is devoted to a different animal. This book could be a great starting point for talking to kids about research. They can read about the different kinds of animals and then follow their interests into doing more research and learning more about one of the animals that interests them.
Read Together: Grades K - 4  
Read Alone: Grades K - 4 
Read With: Snakes and other non-fiction by Nic Bishop, Sharks and Snakes and other non-fiction by Seymour Simon 
Snatch of Text:  
"A great white shark's front teeth are like all its others - two inches long with an edge like a steak knife. They're great for biting through superthick things, like an elephant seal's skin." (p.6)
Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Asking Questions, Using Non-Fiction Text Features 
Writing Strategies to Practice: Narrative, Compare and Contrast
Writing Prompts: Imagine that you did have animal teeth - as if they were a super power. What could you do with animal teeth that would help you in your daily life? Write a story where you show how you would put your animal teeth to use. Choose two animals from the book to compare and contrast. How do they use their teeth in similar or different ways?
Topics Covered: Integration - Science - Animals, Teeth

I *heart* It:

Look Up!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard
Author: Annette LeBlanc Cate  
Illustrator: Annette LeBlanc Cate  
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: March 12th, 2013 
Genre/Format: Non-Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: You don’t have to own binoculars and know a bunch of fancy Latin names to watch birds! No matter where you live, they’re in your neighborhood — just look up.
     This conversational, humorous introduction to bird-watching encourages kids to get outdoors with a sketchbook and really look around. Quirky full-color illustrations portray dozens of birds chatting about their distinctive characteristics, including color, shape, plumage, and beak and foot types, while tongue-in-cheek cartoons feature banter between birds, characters, and the reader ("Here I am, the noble spruce grouse. In a spruce grove. Eatin’ some spruce. Yep."). Interactive and enjoyable tips bring an age-old hobby to new life for the next generation of bird-watchers. 
What Jen Thinks: I know I say this all the time, but it's true: I fall in love with non-fiction all over again with every new great non-fiction book that I read. This is another non-fiction book that doesn't disappoint. I do have to say that this book is very busy but still very engaging and accessible for readers. From the beginning, Annette talks to readers as they listen to her story of falling in love with bird-watching. There's a little, sketched Annette right there in the book talking to the readers. I love that! First thing, she addresses the misconception that bird-watching is boring. What a great time to stop and think about how Annette really is asking readers to engage in bird-watching and how the entire book is persuading while also informing. She starts with the why by addressing any counter-arguments one might have and then she goes ahead and tells you exactly how to do it so that can't be an excuse either. It's great!
     As I read, I realized how this book can be used when talking about brainstorming ideas for writing. So many kids either love to draw or would rather draw than write and Annette asks readers to go out and draw. Go out and see what stories there are to be told just by observing what is all around you. I like to have students do this with their writer's notebooks. We talk about having a writer's eye and how when you put yourself in that frame of mind, stories seem to be all over the place. To go even beyond the writing process, this activity could be linked to or compared to the work that scientists do. Kids can think like scientists and notice what they observe. I can see how this book can be used to connect science and literacy and to help kids recognize this natural connection.
     One of my favorite books is Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt. Any time I read anything about birds, I think of Doug Swieteck and his fascination with Audobon's drawings of birds. I never knew that the Audobon Society was named after a man who drew birds until I read Okay For Now. I think readers who like this book would like reading Doug's story and I also think readers who enjoy Okay For Now might then like to go and observe and draw some of their own birds. I will never ever look at a bird the same after reading both of these books. It also reminds me of Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell which is about Jane Goodall and how her observing as a child became her life's work. This book can be about so much more than watching birds when you think of all the great texts you can connect it with!
What Kellee Thinks:  What a great way to get kids out and about in nature even if they don't live in a rural area. Cate does a wonderful job making bird-watching sound exciting and adds a lot of personality to the book. She also promotes sketching the birds you see and the observations you make which is a great way to introduce observing to anyone. I recently sat with my father looking out his window in Chattanooga watching the birds come to his bird feeder. We had a TN bird guide as a reference and spent almost an hour seeing which birds were visiting his home. This book, with a bird guide of a kid's area would result in a great afternoon activity and great conversation. 
Read Together: Grades 1 and up
Read Alone: Grades 2 - 4 
Read With: Robin, Where Are You? by Harriet Ziefert, Little Bird Germano Zullo, Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin, She's Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head! by Kathryn Lasky, Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt, Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell 
Snatch of Text:  
"...spending time outside observing life and drawing in a sketchbook can help you see the world in a whole new way. You've always known that the birds and the trees and the insects and the rocks were there...but when you take the time to sit and patiently draw them, you do more than see them: you experience them. You feel yourself more connected to the natural world, more at home in it." (p. 3)

"Birds will show you a whole world of brown! Look closely and you will soon be a connoisseur of this color. Study our bird color wheel and see how brown can be almost black...dark like tree bark or mottle like leaves...lovely russety-red or almost pink...golden like autumn grass...dusty and gray and plain as a mouse...or pale as sand...

Be a birdbrain: Why do you think so many birds are so many different kinds of brown, with all manners or streaks and spots? Can you think of any advantages for brown birds?" (p. 13)
Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Asking Questions, Using Non-Fiction Text Features
Writing Strategies to Practice: Writing Process, Expository, Descriptive, Onomatopoeia, Metaphor, Simile, Word Choice, Persuasive
Writing Prompts: After observing nature outside your school or house, write about what you noticed and how it made you feel to stop and connect with your surroundings. Write a descriptive piece using your five sense to bring to life what you observed or heard.  
Topics Covered: Integration - Science - Birds, Birds, Exploration, Observation, Discovery, Drawing, 5 Senses

Jen *hearts* It:

Kellee *hearts* It:

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