I was parked and waiting in the car so what better thing to keep me busy while I'm waiting than to read a book. Don't tell, but I've never read Mr. Popper's Penguins before. I love to read books with snow and ice on a hot day in the summer because it cools you off. I hope you are getting caught reading too.
Send Ms. J. a photo of you caught reading this summer somewhere different or unusual and she will include the picture in Upham's back-to-school bulletin board in September.
Email your pictures to Ms. J. at
jauniskiss@wellesleyps.org
photos from http://classblogs.dovercourt.edu.sg/mrsevett/2015/03/31/extreme-reading/ and http://davyhulme.primaryblogger.co.uk/literacy/world-book-day-challenge-extreme-reading/
Having a hard time keeping your Upham student in books?
Need some resources to help keep the great books coming so she keeps reading?
Sometimes the key is as simple as finding out what he is interested in and then locating books that are on those topics.
Here are some suggestions for great reading lists:
WPS Summer Reading List
Here's the link to the WPS Library Teacher's Summer Reading List. It is a librarian compiled summer reading list. It will be available online in a mobile device friendly format and as a print document in the Upham Office and at the Wellesley Free Library.
Book Blogs
Here are a few that I like:
A Kids Book A Day at http://kidsbookaday.com/
This blog has a new review every day and is written by a school librarian. It has a simple appealing look, highlighting the book covers and includes a summary and a rating.
Guys Read at http://www.guysread.com/books/
Jon Scieszka is a popular children's book author who has put together these list of books that will interest guys. This is a fun website and has a lot of great reading suggestions.
No Flying, No Tights at http://noflyingnotights.com/category/kids/ If you love comic books, this is your site. Stick with the Kids section for elementary-age books. Here you'll find lists of the best graphic novels and comics out there, links to comic book creators' websites, books to help you start cartooning and pretty much everything else you could want. One-stop-shopping.
Public Library Book Lists:
These are great resources with helpful lists of books that will appeal to a variety of young people.
The Newton Free Library Kids Booklists at http://guides.newtonfreelibrary.net/kidsbooks
Librarians have put together lists for kids with at least 7 lists of "If You Liked..." all genres, formats and reading levels are here
This amazing infographic from Scholastic illustrates how wonderful reading aloud to our children is and how much they enjoy it. Keep it going... as long as you can.
You Choose the Next Newbury is an optional reading challenge for any and all interested 4th and 5th graders.
Ms. J. put together a list of new books that are being discussed as potential Newbery winners.
Students who accept the challenge need to read at least 5 of the books on Ms. J.'s list by February 2nd in order to be entered in the raffle.
On February 2nd we will meet in the library for:
lunch
vote on the best book
raffle off a gift certificate to Wellesley Books
The actual, official winner of the Newbery Award will be announced the morning of February 2nd and so we will have a chance to discuss if we think that was "the most distinguished contribution to children's literature" for 2014.
Flora & Ulysses by Cate DiCamillo won the Newbery Award last year.
Aaron Becker, the author and illustrator of the stunning Journey and now Quest has these thoughts about why picture books are important:
"Why Picture Books Are Important by Aaron Becker
The picture book physically connects a child to their world through story. It provides an elemental platform in which storytelling can find its way into the newest members of our planet and provide a moral compass, or at the very least a subtle whisper: “You are not alone. You matter.” When we share a book with a child, an exchange is taking place: a passing-down of wisdom, adventure, joy, and even love. The pictures take on a special significance here. They become the vehicle of communication – the path upon which a young child can walk on, or better yet, to meander through, as they discover which way they want to go. As the world changes, we must ask ourselves what we’re losing in this transition from books to glowing entertainment devices. The fear here, I think, is that without the quieter paths of a shared book, we might all end up lazily building houses made of straw, or worse yet, turn into the big bad wolf himself, searching for the next best thing to eat up.
The picture book is a physical object that demands our engagement and attention. It does this without beeps or whistles or touch screens or promises of something faster, better, and more efficient. It tells us we can take our time. The pictures, within their bound pages, allow children to formulate their own stories; to find their own way. But the picture book also suggests something greater – that the world is a place we might have an actual connection to. In the arms of a parent, a child hears and touches and feels that connection through the simple gift of story. All they have to do – all WE have to do – is slow down and listen. I’ve yet to find an “app” that does this very well."
