Picture+Books

Every year at the beginning of school I start off CMT instruction in pretty much all my teacher’s rooms K-4 by reading with the kids The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. With the younger kids we discuss the reason the author wrote the book, ie: Author’s Purpose, with the older kids I elicit responses on why the author wrote the book and write them on large chart paper. We also talk about the lesson to be learned in this story. Then I ask an open-ended question Would you rather have been the tree or the boy in the story and why?
 * What is one of your favorite picture books that you use to teach a specific concept or skill?**

I have received unbelievably profound answers from kids, and I guess the one that stands out the most came from a 3rd grader with Newman’s Disease who had an IEP who responded that he would rather be the tree because the tree gave up her life for her friend. . . . //Joanne Bell, Brooklyn Elementary School//

A favorite book I like to read to Kindergarten and first grade is //No David// by David Shannon. I use it before reading for predicting, during reading for text-to-self connections and I think it is especially good for point of view discussions after reading. After we have read it and discussed it a few times the children make a "Yes, David " book with their own ideas and illustrations. //Sue Devokaitus, Hampton Elementary School//