This is a true picture book- no words. I have had the greatest conversations with my fourth and fifth graders though! Basically, there is a naughty magpie, a set of hands, and a set of magic pencils. The objects the pencils draw come to life, and the naughty magpie gets a hold of the pencils. With lots of clever solutions, the hands ultimately win! The illustrations are phenomenal! This was an obscure find on a discount shelf and I use it every year for story structure, sequencing, cause/effect, and summarizing.
This book is more appropriate for fourth grade and up, but you will laugh out loud (literally) reading these short scenarios. Each scenario starts with a "Top Secret" folder that reveals the real reasons behind every day rules. My favorite is: Eat your vegetables. Official reason: They're good for you. Real reason: To keep them under control. The story continues by showing the evolution of what used to be man-eating vegetables. Collage illustrations engage you from the start. I've used this for several years when developing classroom rules. We twist the rules and figure out the "real reasons" for the rules we have developed. Hysterical results!
This is a pretty popular one already, but I just can't read this story enough. With Janell Cannon's beautiful illustrations and beautiful theme, it's a story for all ages. Stellaluna is a character the kids can relate as she tries to fit in as the "different one," and ultimately learns that you don't have to look the same to have something in common. Check out my explicit instruction vocabulary unit- kids dig a lot deeper into a story they know well.
There's no plot, but lots of pictures so I stick it in my favorite picture books to teach with file! Teaching figurative language interpretation in reading and use of it in writing can be tough. With this book, the kids can't get enough and will be using them in excess! Great illustrations!
This isn't just a favorite read aloud with my class, this is my favorite picture book EVER. I used to sit on the floor in my bedroom and just look at the pictures over and over and over! They are luscious. Ul de Rico is actually an artist, not really a story writer but he hit the bullseye with this story of greed. A great book for introducing theme and character traits. The goblins are so easily disliked! Just talking about it makes me want to go grab it and read it for the 1000th time! Warning: There is a blue goblin butt in the book- hehe. The kids always find it when I intentionally don't point anything out on that page! I've never got in trouble for showing a goblin butt though...knock on wood! LOL
Thanks to "The Teacher's Wife" for starting this linky!
I am totally getting Magpie Magic! I've been trying to build up my wordless books in my library for teaching inference.
ReplyDelete~Heather
The Meek Moose
You will love it...the pictures are great and there's a million ways to practice inference to be sure...good idea!
DeleteI love Stellaluna! Such a sweet book. I am a new follower.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Second Grade Sunshine
:0) Welcome and if you haven't tried her other books they are every bit as sweet. Verdi and Crickwing are great...Crickwing is about a cockroach, my most feared bug. If she can get me to feel bad for a cockroach, she's got a great story! lol
DeleteThanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteI love your book list. A couple of the books I have not read, so now I think I must! I am now your 12th follower :)
ReplyDeleteShawna
The Picture Book Teacher's Edition
Enjoyyyyyy....glad to offer a few new suggestions!
DeleteStellaluna!! I love love love that book! Just found your blog :)
ReplyDeleteSusan
T.G.I.F. (Thank God it's First Grade!)
Hah...cute name TGIF! Check out Verdi and Crickwing too if you haven't already...they are just as sweet. She has a way of making scary critters lovable hehe...Thanks for joining!
DeleteI reference "The Secret Life of Grownups" several times in my writing curriculum that I created for my TPT store. It's such a great book that I JUST recently found! You certainly had a great list :)
ReplyDeleteMake sure to stop by and enter my giveaway
-Courtney
2ndgradesnapshots.blogspot.com
I love it and we use it for just about the whole school year. Did you know there is a sequel? Just as great!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower! I wanted to let you know I nominated you for an award on my page. Visit P.J. Jots!
ReplyDeletePam
Woohooo! I like awards hehe...Thanks for joining!
ReplyDeleteStelluna is one of my favorites to read during my Halloween Science Unit (have to make it educational you know) Thanks for sharing your list!
ReplyDeleteNewest Follower,
Nicole
Lanier's Kindergarten Lions
I love Stellaluna!
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower.
Stop by soon.
:)
Tamera
http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com
Hooray! I just found your Blog!!! Thanks for sharing your choices! STOP by anytime and become a follower. SMILES!!!!
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