Comments on: Teaching

By: Marc Aronson

Marc Aronson — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:01:15 +0000

thanks, this is useful — I have been in the library reading and reading…

By: Liz Burns

Liz Burns — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:11:05 +0000

Congratulations on your new position! What a great opportunity! As to what to read, that all depends upon which age group/range your course will focus. Having gotten my start as a children’s librarian (some 20+ years ago), I now teach an introductory children’s literature course at a community college (as well as serve as its librarian). Since I must cover things for the preschool set through grade 8, I try to hit the high points with a balance of the well-known (i.e. Kevin Henkes, David Wiesner, Lois Ehlert, etc.) with newer writers and those in between. If you are focusing on the under 7th grade group (since that begins to cross YA lines), I would recommend the afore mentioned in addition to Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Laurie Halse Anderson (she’s done several picture book biographies), Jack Prelutsky (I skip Shel Silverstein because my students always already know who he is), Judith Viorst, Ian Falconer, Sara Pennypacker, Marla Frazee, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Louis Sachar, Jennifer Ward, Seymour Simon, Gail Gibbons, David Small, Kathleen Krull…I could go on. I hope this gets you started and best wishes for a successful semester.

By: Marc Aronson

Marc Aronson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:46:25 +0000

I have seen the book but have not yet read it, thanks for the reminder

By: Marc Aronson

Marc Aronson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:45:42 +0000

I didn’t know about ripplereader thanks for the lead — and the list.

By: Marc Aronson

Marc Aronson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:44:54 +0000

good indeed

By: Marc Aronson

Marc Aronson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:44:29 +0000

I was on a committee that gave her an award several years ago, so I know what you mean.

By: Tim Tocher

Tim Tocher — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:03:32 +0000

Hi, Marc,

Congratulations on your new position. Teaching is still a worthwhile and rewarding profession.

Have you read THE DREAMER by Pam Munoz Ryan w/Peter Sis illustrations? A great book for interesting kids in Pablo Neruda and poetry in general. (Also enjoyable for adults as my wife and I can testify.)

All the best,

Tim Tocher

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:40:20 +0000

For picture eBooks, you might check out http://www.ripplereader.com – they have a growing selection and the books are recordable.

For your own reading, I have a ton of suggestions but I’ll try to be brief.
Graphic novels – Rapunzel’s Revenge – simply the BEST I’ve ever read.
Percy Jackson books
Tortilla Sun by J. Cervantes
Return to Sender by J. Alvarez
Young Merlin series – T.A. Barron
Garth Nix books
Frankie Pickle books by Eric Wight

okay, there are too many to list now that I consider it. Happy reading!

Melissa

By: Mira

Mira — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:28:01 +0000

I love the comment that disagreements are more valuable than end of the year bonuses
( although I will not share that thought with my principal ). I also love it when a student says ” I don’t know what I think anymore ” . One time I quoted Ho Chi Min’s answer to a question about how the French Revolution had impacted Vietnamese history. His answer:
” it is too soon to tell “. A student looked up and said seriously ” what is that suposed to mean ? ” That was a good day.

By: Amy Mitchell

Amy Mitchell — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:54:56 +0000

Deborah Wiles’ books. Love, Ruby Lavender and Each Little Bird That Sings are great works of fiction dealing with loss for ages 8-12.