READING RESPONSE PROJECT

Created by: Jessica Simmons

GRAPHIC NOVEL

GRAPHIC NOVEL Title: The magic School Bus in the Bat Cave Author: Jeanette Lane Illustrator : Robin Cuddy Primary level Summary: This book is about another adventure with Ms.

Frizzle. The children come to school that day with anticipation of what their filed trip will be like. Ms. Frizzle explains that they will be learning about bats today. They venture onto the school bus and go visit Tim's house (which has bats). They see many bats and discuss as a class. Once they get back on the school bus, it changes into a bat itself. They go and see bats all over the world. They go through bat caves and under bridges. They learn all about bats that day. Of course they make it back safely before the school day ends.

Suggestions: Lesson plan on bats & read aloud ESOL: Visuals tell the story with word blurbs

NONFICTION

BIOGRAPHY Title: Rosa Author: Nikki Giovanni Illustrator: Bryan Collier Caldecott, 2006 Coretta Scott King Medal, 2006 Primary Level Summary: This biography is about the life of Rosa Parks and

her significant pride which lead to the Montgomery bus boycott. One day when Rosa got off work she rode the bus home. She was so tired that she sat down in the mid section of the bus. Then a white man got on the bus and Rosa was told by the bus driver to give up her seat for him. She refused and was then arrested. She didn’t care because she stood up for herself and thus started the boycott.

Suggestions: lesson on civil rights & read a loud ESOL: Visuals

AUTOBIOGRAPHY Title: When Everybody Wore a Hat Author: William Steig Primary Level Summary: This autobiography is about when William

was an eight year old little boy growing up in the Bronx in the year 1916. He warmly welcomes children into that time era and allows them to see what it was like growing up almost 100 years ago. A time when there was no electric, no TV’s and children actually went to the library for books. He compares times now to how the times where back then. He also provides the reader with real pictures of him back then and his own illustrations.

Suggestions: introduce lesson about autobiography's & have children write their own.

ESOL: Different time era with visuals

INFORMATIONAL

Title: My Digestive System Author/Illustrator: Sally Hewitt Intermediate level Summary: This book explains to the reader

the importance of the digestive system. It goes over important vocabulary such as esophagus, intestine, stomach etc. It explains the function of each part and gives good examples for healthy living. It also has activities that the reader can do at home to gain better comprehending.

Suggestions: Lesson on eating healthy & creating a diagram of digestive system

ESOL: interactive activities throughout the book

INFORMATIONAL Title: Why I Need to Exercise Author: Diane Pappas, Richard Convey & Dr. Brendan

Murray Illustrator: Ric Estrada Intermediate Level Summary: This story is about a little boy named Jimmy

who plays a lot of video games instead of active activities. He finds himself running one day and experiences a sharp pain in his side. His really active friend Steven tells him he needs to exercise more. His kid guardians Zak and Buzzer explain to him the importance of exercising and all the good benefits it offers.

Suggestions: lesson on the importance of being active & read a loud

ESOL: active illustrations

CULTURALLY DIVERSE

CULTURALLY DIVERSE

Title: It’s okay to be different Author/ Illustrator: Todd Parr Primary level Summary: This book is full of different kinds

of people and situations. It talks about different types of shapes and sizes that people come in and also colors. The book lets the reader know that it is okay to be different no matter what background your from or if you happen to look different from others.

Suggestions: read a loud, coloring lesson, & multicultural lesson

ESOL: Simple visuals that tell the story & show emotion

CULTURALLY DIVERSE

Title: Chato and the Party Animals Author: Gary Soto Illustrator: Susan Guevara Primary Level Summary: Chato is a cool cat that throws a birthday party for his

friend Novio Boy. He fins out that Novio is from the pound and has never celebrated his birthday before, Chato goes all out to celebrate his birthday for him. He rounds up party favors like flea combs and collars. He makes a piñata out of newspaper and an empty cat food box. He cooks a lot of traditional Spanish food like guacamole, black beans, and tortilla’s. He invites all the animals to attend his pachanga. In all the excitement Chato forgets to invite Novio himself! The entire party searches for the guest of honor. Once they give up, Novio finally shows up and they celebrate the birthday party together!

Suggestions: Venn diagram to make text to self connections & class discussion of city and country communities

ESOL: Vivid illustrations & Spanish words throughout the story

FANTASY

TRADITIONAL FANTASY Title: Cinderella Author/ Illustrator: Marcia Brown Caldecott Medal 1955 Primary level Summary: This is the classic tale about a young girl named

Cinderella. She is poorly mistreated by her two step sisters and evil step mother. She has to do all sorts of chores for them and make sure that they have everything they need. One night a fairy visited her and she granted her a wish. She wished to go to the ball but she had to be back by midnight. She meet a wonderful prince at the ball and danced all night. Unfortunately she ran back to her carriage because it was almost midnight and lost her glass slipper. The prince was desperate to find the girl with the glass slipper and tried it on all the women's feet in the town. Of course it fit Cinderella and they lived happily ever after.

 Suggestions: Read a loud & introduce plot & setting ESOL: Familiar story with visuals & readers theatre

TRADITIONAL FANTASY Title: Red Riding Hood Author/Illustrator: James Marshall Intermediate Level Summary: A young girl named Red Riding Hood sets off

to visit her granny because she was sick. A wolf deep within the woods spots the young girl and decides to go to her granny’s and eat the granny to pretends like he is the granny. He fools the young girl until she makes a remark about his big teeth. The wolf couldn’t help himself and yells “the better to eat you with!” he gobbles the girl right up. A hunter over hears the racket and kills the wolf, then cut him open and frees granny and Red Riding Hood.

Suggestions: Read a loud & lesson plan involving not talking to strangers.

ESOL: visuals & group reading

TRADITIONAL FANTASY Title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears Author: Jim Aylesworth Illustrator: Barbara McClintock Intermediate Level Summary: A family of three bears goes away for the

day and Goldilocks goes inside their home and tries out everything form their porridge to their beds. She finds that the little bears stuff is just right for her. She falls asleep on the littlest bears bed and then they all came back home. They noticed that somebody has been messing around in the house. The littlest bear finds Goldilocks sleeping and she wakes up. She runs straight home where it is safe!

Suggestions: Readers theatre & read aloud ESOL: Illustrations

MODERN FANTASY Title: Giggle, Giggle, Quack Author: Doreen Cronin Illustrator: Betsy Lewin Primary level Summary: Farmer Bill leaves town and leaves his brother

Bob in charge to take care of the animals. He forewarns about how much trouble the duck is. Every night Bob follows the directions on the notes that Famer Bill left him. Except these notes were really extravagant, orders like: feed the hens pizza, bathe the pigs in bubble bath, let the cows pick and watch a movie etc…At the end of the story the phone rings & duck picks it up and says giggle, giggle, quack-then writes a note to Bob stating “It’s for you!”

Suggestions: Interactive read aloud including props & farm animal lesson

ESOL: Sounds & illustrations

FICTION

ABC

Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Author: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault Illustrator: Lois Ehlert Primary level Summary: This book is a great way to

introduce the alphabet to young students. Each letter of the alphabet is trying to climb the coconut tree. With funny words and rhyme and rhythm, this book gains the attention of youngsters.

Suggestions: Introducing alphabet & letter sound recognition

ESOL: Letter sound recognition & partner reading

ABC

Title: ABC Author/illustrator: Dr. Seuss Primary level Summary: This book tells the reader about

the different letters of the alphabet. The book shows how the letters can be capitalized and un-capitalized. This book also shows the reader funny things that begin with each letter of the alphabet.

Suggestions: Read aloud & letter writing practice

ESOL: Partner reading & illustrations

PREDICTABLE Title: If You Give a Pig a Pancake Author: Laura Numeroff Illustrator: Felicia Bond Primary level Summary: This book is about a pig who is given a

pancake and then of course wants syrup to go with it. Once he asked for syrup there are a number of things that he wants that follow each other. The book ends with giving him syrup and then everyone knows that he is going to want pancake to go with it and all the events will start over again.

Suggestions: Sequence the story events & guided reading lesson

ESOL: Illustrations & group reading

PREDICTABLE Title: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Author: Laura Numeroff Illustrator: Felicia Bond Primary level Summary: This book is about giving a mouse a cookie

who obviously wants milk to go with it. After he asks for milk there are a number of things that he is going to want that correspond with each previous thing. The entire book the little boy is running ragged trying to accommodate the mouse. At the end of the book he asks for a glass of milk and you can probably guess that he wants a cookie to go with it. In return the entire story will start over.

Suggestions: Guided reading & sequencing ESOL: Illustrations & group reading

HISTORICAL FICTION Title: My Dream of Martin Luther King Author/illustrator: Faith Ringgold Primary level Summary: This book is about a little girl who goes to sleep

and has a dream about MLK when he was a child. In her dream MLK is separated from his parents and is chased out of town by the white folks. He found a rally of people who were chanting for speech, so he joined them. Sooner than later they were all arrested and thrown in jail. After he left jail he grew up and became a preacher and an activist that lead the blacks and whites together. Then a blast of noise like a firecracker rang her ears. The little girl new that MLK was dead just like in real life. Everyone was in morning and then she woke up to him talking on the TV.

Suggestions: “I have a dream” writing activity & read a loud

ESOL: Visuals that tell the story

HISTORICAL FICTION Title: The Devil’s Arithmetic Author: Jane Yolen Intermediate level Summary: This story is about a young girl named

Hannah. When she gets tired and bored about hearing all the family history she finds herself waking up to a whole new life. This time her life is taking place in 1942 and her name is Chaya. She experiences firsthand the horrific events of the holocaust with the knowledge in her mind of knowing the future. In the end she wakes up and realizes the importance of her families background and history and learns to appreciate it.

Suggestions: Literature circle & holocaust lesson ESOL: Shared reading

RHYTHM, RHYME, & REPETITION

Title: Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Author/Illustrator: Eileen Christelow Primary level Summary : This classic starts off with five

little monkey’s jumping on the bed. Then one by one they fall off. After each fall mamma calls the doctor and the doctor says “no more monkey’s jumping on the bed.” Eventually there isn’t any monkey’s jumping on the bed because they all fall off and bump there heads.

Suggestions: Subtraction & the importance of rules

ESOL: Repetition allows them to recognize words

RHYTHM, RHYME, & REPETITION Title: Love You Forever Author: Robert Munsch Illustrator: Sheila McGraw Summary: This story shows the growth and

development of a young boy and the love his mother has for him. Each night she sneaks in his room whether he is small or big and picks him up rocking him singing “I will love you forever, I will like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you will be!” In the end he is a grown man and picks his fragile old mother up and sings the same song to her, then to his own baby.

Suggestions: Developing a timeline & sequencing & discussions on family traditions

ESOL: Rhyme, repetition & timeline

WORDLESS Title: Tuesday Author/ Illustrator: David Wiesner Caldecott Medal, 1992 Primary Level Summary: This wordless book tells a story through

illustrations about a Tuesday where frogs mysteriously rise out of their ponds on floating lily pads. The frogs invade a nearby village and have a number of encounters with the startled residents. Towards the end of the book you can see that next Tuesday their may even be pigs that fly.

Suggestions: Split images discussion & using the computer to add other effects to the story

ESOL: Wordless so they can determine their own story in their own words

BEGINNING CHAPTER SERIES

Title: Dinosaurs Before Dark Author: Mary Pope Osbourne Illustrator: Sal Murdocca Primary Level Summary: This story is about a brother and

sister Annie & Jack who discover a magic tree house that can take them to the actual place where a certain book takes place. They go back through time and see and learn about dinosaurs. They return home before dinner.

Suggestions: Literature circles & fossil lesson plan

ESOL: Illustrations and new vocabulary

BEGINNING CHAPTER SERIES Title: The Talent Show From the Black Lagoon Author: Mike Thaler Illustrator: Jared Lee Primary Level Summary: In this story kids have to perform in the

talent show just because the mean Mrs. Green say they had to. Everyone will have to show a talent for exactly one minute in front of the whole school including parents! Starring in the talent show from the black lagoon was a scary thought for all. In the end luck helps these kids and it turns out to be a great show for all.

Suggestions: Book clubs & readers theatre ESOL: Partner reading & illustrations

CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION

Title: Maniac Magee Author: Jerry Spinelli Intermediate level Summary: This story is about a boy named Maniac

Magee who losses his parents in a trolley accident. He is raised by his awful aunt and uncle but soon escapes their house and becomes a runaway at the age of eight. He finds himself in a small town literally divided by Hector Street where the whites stay on one side and the blacks on the other. Magee who cannot see the big deal with color fins himself in the most bizarre situations. Overcoming some incredible circumstances Magee soon becomes a legend in this town, showing the town how to live life to the fullest.

Suggestions: Book clubs & group reading ESOL: Partner reading

CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION

Title: Bridge to Terabithia Author: Katherine Paterson Newberry, 1978 Intermediate Level Summary: In this story, Jess becomes friends with his

new neighbor Leslie after he loses a footrace to her at school. He is intrigued by her talents, personality, and her intelligence. Leslie is an imaginative tomboy that opens up Jess’s world to Teribithia, a place filled with all sorts of unbelievable people and creatures. They go to this place almost everyday. When Jess losses her in a bridge accident his depressing state of being is transformed into a courageous young boy.

Suggestions: Literature circles & new vocabulary ESOL: Imagination & partner reading

AWARD BOOKS

CALDECOTT AWARD Title: Where the Wild Things Are Author/Illustrator: Maurice Sendak Primary level Summary: This story is about a boy named Max who

gets sent to his room without dinner one night because he was being very mischievous. When he was in his room it started to grow into a forest. He then sailed away to a place where the wild things are. He seen all sorts of big wild creatures with big teeth. He tamed them and they made him king of the forest. They became very wild together and Max told them to stop and sent them to bed with out dinner. After he got very lonely he sailed back home and into his room where his dinner was waiting for him, and it was still hot.

Suggestions: Readers theatre & sequencing ESOL: Visuals & collaborative learning

CALDECOTT AWARD

Title: The Snowy Day Author/Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats Primary level Summary: This story is about a snow

adventure of a young boy named Peter. He wakes up to a snowy day and finds himself discovering all sorts of things about the snow. It is almost as if the snow is his friend in this story. He saves a snowball in his pocket but only discovers that it is not there later. He feels sad but only for a minute because he wakes up and it is a new snow day.

Suggestions: lesson on seasons & read aloud

ESOL: Illustrations & collaborative learning

NEWBERY AWARD Title: The Giver Author: Lois Lowry Intermediate level Summary: This story is about the character

development of an eleven year boy named Jonas. Jonas lives in a very peculiar world where everything is controlled, even life and death. At the 12 ceremony, Jonas finds himself obtaining the most respected job as the giver. But first he must train for his job. He meets with the giver everyday and starts to realize many things he never thought existed. Having this knowledge he decides to do something drastic, something he never thought he would do-escape.

Suggestions: Literature circles & double journal entries ESOL: Read aloud

NEWBERY AWARD Title: Bridge to Terabithia Author: Katherine Paterson Newberry, 1978 Intermediate Level Summary: In this story, Jess becomes friends with his

new neighbor Leslie after he loses a footrace to her at school. He is intrigued by her talents, personality, and her intelligence. Leslie is an imaginative tomboy that opens up Jess’s world to Teribithia, a place filled with all sorts of unbelievable people and creatures. They go to this place almost everyday. When Jess losses her in a bridge accident his depressing state of being is transformed into a courageous young boy.

Suggestions: Literature circles & new vocabulary ESOL: Imagination & read aloud

CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD Title: Rosa Author: Nikki Giovanni Illustrator: Bryan Collier Caldecott, 2006 Coretta Scott King Medal, 2006 Primary Level Summary: This biography is about the life of Rosa Parks and

her significant pride which lead to the Montgomery bus boycott. One day when Rosa got off work she rode the bus home. She was so tired that she sat down in the mid section of the bus. Then a white man got on the bus and Rosa was told by the bus driver to give up her seat for him. She refused and was then arrested. She didn’t care because she stood up for herself and thus started the boycott.

Suggestions: Lesson on civil rights & read a loud ESOL: Visuals

VIRGINIA HAMILTON /LAURA INGALLS WILDER AWARD

Title: Her stories! African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales.

Author: Virginia Hamilton Illustrator: Leo & Diane Dillon Intermediate Level Summary: This book is a collection of

traditional black folklore including African American fairy tales, animal stories, supernatural tales, legends, and true tales narrated by females.

Suggestions: Black history month & diverse read aloud

ESOL: Stories told from a different cultural perspective

POETRY

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

Title: Sick Author/ Illustrator: Shel

Silverstein "I cannot go to school today,"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay,"I have the measles and the mumps,A gash, a rash, and purple bumps.My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,I'm going blind in my right eye.My tonsils are as big as rocks,I've counted sixteen chicken poxAnd there's one more--that's seventeen,And don't you think my face looks green?My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--It might be instamatic flu.I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,I'm sure that my left leg is broke--My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My belly button's caving in,My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,My 'pendix pains each time it rains.My nose is cold, my toes are numb,I have a sliver in my thumb.My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,I hardly whisper when I speak.My tongue is filling up my mouth,I think my hair is falling out.My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,My temperature is one-o-eight.My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,There is a hole inside my ear.I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?What's that? What's that you say?You say today is---Saturday?G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Element: Rhyme Intermediate Level

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS Title: Ickle Me, Pickle Me,

Tickle Me TooAuthor/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me tooWent for a ride in a flying shoe."Hooray!“ What fun!""It's time we flew!"Said Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.Ickle was captain, and Pickle was crewAnd Tickle served coffee and mulligan stewAs higherAnd higherAnd higher they flew,Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.

Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too,Over the sun and beyond the blue."Hold on!""Stay in!""I hope we do!"Cried Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle tooNever returned to the world they knew,And nobodyKnows what'sHappened toDear Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.

Element: Rhyme

Intermediate level

I WROTE IT

Title: Ice Cube Stew Author: Jessica Simmons I made a pot of ice cube stewAnd gave it to everyone I knewToo bad it was a day so hotterBecause all of our stew turned to water Element: Rhyme Primary level

I WROTE IT

Title: Duke Author: Jessica Simmons I have a dog his name is DukeHe likes to take big nasty poopsSometimes he poops in my neighbors yardSometimes he farts when were in the carI would say he’s rather a little nastyBut boy he makes me o’ so happyWhen he lays down to take a nappyAll snuggled up on top my lappy Element: Rhyme Primary Level

THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Title: There’s a New Kid on the Block

Author: Jack Prelutsky

There’s a new kid on the block

And boy, that kid is tough.

That new kid punches hard.

That new kid plays real rough.

That new kid’s big and strong,

With muscles everywhere.

That new kid tweaked my arm.

That new kid pulled my hair.

That new kid likes to fight

And picks on all the guys.

That new kid scares me some.

That new kid’s twice my size.

That new kid stomped my toes.

That new kid wiped my ball.

That new kid’s really bad.

I don’t care for her at all.

Element: RhymeIntermediate

BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE

Title: Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face

Author: Jack Prelutsky Be glad your nose is on your face,

not pasted on some other place,

for if it were where it is not,

you might dislike your nose a lot. 

Imagine if your precious nose

were sandwiched in between your

toes,

that clearly would not be a treat,

for you'd be forced to smell your feet. 

Your nose would be a source of dread

were it attached atop your head,

it soon would drive you to despair,

forever tickled by your hair.

Within your ear, your nose would be

an absolute catastrophe,

for when you were obliged to sneeze,

your brain would rattle from the breeze. 

Your nose, instead, through thick and thin,

remains between your eyes and chin,

not pasted on some other place--

be glad your nose is on your face Element: Rhyme Primary level

UNKNOWN AUTHOR Title: My New Best Friend Author: Unknown Today I met a great new friend

   Who knew me right away It was funny how she understood    All I had to say

She listened to my problems    She listened to my dreams We talked about love and life    She'd been there, too, it seems

I never once felt judged by her    She knew just how I felt She seemed to just accept me    And all the problems I'd

been dealt She didn't interrupt me    Or need to have her say She just listened very patiently

   And didn't go away I wanted her to understand

   How much this meant to me But as I went to hug her    Something startled me

I put my arms in front of me    And went to pull her nearer And realized that my new best friend    Was nothing but a mirror

Element: Rhyme Intermediate level

UNKNOWN AUTHOR Title: The Oyster Author: unknown There once was an

oysterWhose story I tell,Who found that some

sandHad got into his shell.It was only a grain,But it gave him great

pain.For oysters have feelingsAlthough they’re so

plain. Now, did he berateThe harsh working of

fateThat had brought himTo such a deplorable

state?Did he curse at the

government,Cry for election,And claim that the sea

shouldHave given him

protection? No – he sad to himselfAs he lay on a shell,Since I cannot remove it,I shall try to improve it.Now the years have

rolled around,As the years always do,And he came to his

ultimateDestiny – stew. And the small grain of

sandThat had bothered him

soWas a beautiful pearlAll richly aglow.Now the tale has a

moral;For isn’t it grandWhat an oyster can doWith a morsel of sand? What couldn’t we doIf we’d only beginWith some of the thingsThat get under our skin.Element: Rhyme &

personificationIntermediate level

INTERNET SOURCE

Title: Your Teeth Author: Denise Rodgers Your teeth are like stars;

they come out at night.They come back at dawnwhen they're ready to bite.

Element: Rhyme & Metaphor Primary level

INTERNET SOURCE

Title: Open House Author: Aileen Fisher If I were a tree

I'd want to seea bird with a songon a branch of me.I'd want a quicklittle squirrel to runup and downand around, for fun.I'd want the cubof a bear to call,and a porcupine, big,and a tree toad, small.

I'd want a katydidout of sighton one of my leavesto sing at night.And down by my rootsI'd want a mousewith six little mouselingsin her house.

Element: Rhyme & Image

Primary level

THE END