Chocolate is worth studying, and it can be a great classroom theme all year round. The very first thing to do, when you first start thinking about using the theme, is to write off to the chocolate companies explaining that you plan to do this in your classroom. They… Continue reading
Do you observe Hallowe’en in your classroom? Some do, with parties and costume parades and all, and some don’t. Maybe you (or your district, parents, community leaders, administration…) disapprove of Halloween and would rather not bring it into the classroom at all, but you feel like you spend the whole… Continue reading
The Teeny Tiny Woman” is sort of a ghost story and it is sort of spooky. There is not a great deal of story to it. A teeny tiny woman finds a bone and takes it home to make soup. The owner of the bone requests its return, repeatedly, in… Continue reading
Petunia, by Roger Duvoisin, was published in 1950, but it’s still in print and children still love it. Petunia is a goose who picks up a book. “He who owns books and loves them,” Petunia has recently overheard, “is wise.” Petunia takes this literally, deciding that ownership of the… Continue reading
Science fiction and fantasy is one of the most popular genres for young readers now. Take advantage of the popularity of this style to introduce your students to some new books. Create a display of science fiction and fantasy books on your library table. Here are some of our favorites:… Continue reading
For Halloween, for a new way to get reluctant readers to enjoy the classics, or just for fun, try some vampire lessons. English Start with vampire literature: Vunce Upon a Time is a heartwarming story from the illustrator of Olive, the Other Reindeer. Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots is part… Continue reading
Is Peggy Rathmann’s Good Night, Gorilla really a classic? I think so. For little children, this nearly wordless book provides just the right amount of plot and character. There’s wit and suspense. If you’re three, it’s absolutely gripping. The story is simple. The gorilla steals the zookeeper’s keys as the… Continue reading
Monsters make a good metaphor for fear. Small children are sometimes sincerely scared of monsters, but older students can relate to the idea of vanquishing the monsters in their lives. Approaching monsters, feeling the fear, deciding whether it’s wise to continue, and showing courage or prudence — these are… Continue reading
Once I found myself engaged in a conversation about what really needs to be taught. Strictly speaking, I have found myself engaged in conversations on this topic many many times, but I am thinking of one particular occasion. Shakespeare had crept into the discussion. Shakespeare, one speaker claimed, was… Continue reading
