Today is the last Wednesday of 2018, and part of me is wondering if time is speeding up. I am feeling like I need more days or more hours in the day to complete everything. Last week, I shared 6 nonfiction picture book biographies that I really loved this past year. In this post, I am sharing a few more titles that have inspired me to teach.
Do you ever read a book and immediately want to start planning out a unit with the book playing a central role in the unit? I do realize that this is a very subjective list. Every year, I read 100+ nonfiction new releases and though I love many, there are only a few that jump out and shake me and say create a lesson or unit. Well, each of these books have inspired that enthusiasm within me. I have wanted to partner with other teachers and to start planning the unit and see how the implementation of the lesson(s) work with students.
Please remember that I may have loved many books this year, I have limited this book to five titles. Leaving out titles didn’t mean that they aren’t inspiring or important.
Bugs Don’t Hug: Six-Legged Parents And Their Kids by Heather L. Montgomery, Illustrated by Stephen Stone (Charlesbridge Publishing) - This book made me want to time travel back to student teaching and re-do my insect unit. I have decided to use it for a unit I am working on creating for this summer.
Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs by Melissa Stewart, Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis (Peachtree Publishers) - This book has so many layers to it and I have wanted to use it as a part of a mini-unit with students and also show teachers how to work with the various layers.
Cute As an Axolotl: Discovering the Worlds Most Adorable Animals by Jess Keating, Illustrated by David DeGrand (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers) - I have been wanting to do a lesson or series of lessons using Keating’s The World of Weird Animals series. I love it as a mentor text but I am eager to dive in and do some planning.
Stretch to the Sun: From a Tiny Sprout to the Tallest Tree on Earth by Carrie A. Pearson, Illustrated by Susan Swan (Charlesbridge) - I have decided to play around with this book along with some others to create a unit to look at environments and habitats for a unit in March. I will report back.
Terrific Tongues by Maria Gianferrari, Illustrated by Jia Liu (Boyds Mills Press) - I simply love this book and excited to see the way young kids will respond to the book. Similar to Pipsqueaks, I am looking to use this book in a mini-unit.
What books inspired you to go the next level and do something fantastic? Look for these books and others at your local indie bookstore or community library.
Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…