Not your Typical February Picture Books

First, let me apologize for my disappearance from this blog space.  Second, let me welcome you into the second semester of your school year....the time of year when the lightbulbs start to go off, the routines get mastered, and you truly fall in love with those sweet children in your classroom.  Well, lets cross our fingers and toes that that's what is happening in your rooms right now. Amy and I just recently uploaded our February Unit for First Grade Rooted in Reading, and I could not be more in LOVE.  These are not your typical February books and I think your kids will love the change of pace! I want to give you some insight into this unit so you can see detailed descriptions of the four books and then images from the preview that show you everything inside the units! 

1. Cloudette-  Much like the Little Engine that Could, Cloudette wonders her value because she is so small. She can't do the BIG cloud things like a massive storm or creating a lake from a torrential downpour.  She understands that everyone thinks she is cute, but she wants to be so much more.  Tom Litchenheld's humor and attention to detail is what I crave in a picture book.  It makes it enjoyable for the grown-up too! 

2. The Big Bed-  If you have never read Bunmi Laditan's blog The Honest Toddler, you are seriously missing out on some full belly laughs.  Bunmi has a way of connecting to adults and finding the humor in our sometimes hostage situation with children that is so refreshing. When I heard she was coming out with a picture book I immediately purchased it. I could not be more THRILLED with her end result.  She packed her main character with so much voice and personality that you can't help but love her.  The daughter's persistence and well-thought-out plan also makes for the perfect mentor text for persuasive writing as well.  If you do nothing else today, find this book and read it!  

3. The Radiant Child-  Anybody else a podcast listener?  I am a Podcast enthusiast and this morning I listened to the same sentence about ten times.  The sentence was "Creativity was how I share my soul with the world." In a time when teachers have to fight tooth in nail to keep arts education in place that meant so much to me.  It is so important that our students see examples of real life artists.  The real life story of Jean Michel Basquiat is brilliant because it is so different than the ones our students are probably accustomed to hearing.  And if you need a way to hook them, because well money talks, share with them that one of Basquiat's paintings was recently bought for 110 million dollars!

4. The Koala Who Could- Growth Mindset is all the rage in education and for all the right reasons. Students need to learn to persevere when things are tough. Even as a 34 year old woman I have to remind myself not to quit (like when I can't remember my password for the thousandth time).  Students need to know that tremendous growth happens when we are uncomfortable and take risks! 

I hope you enjoyed the little tour, and I promise you that I won't stay gone as long this go around!