"Where the Wild Things Are" written & illustrated by Maurice Sendak Wordle

This is the Wordle a fifth grade student created in response to reading "Where the Wild Things Are". I told the student they could use key words or phrases from the story and how the story made them feel. The student loved creating the Wordle as the product is a creative visual representation of their thoughts. Incorporating this form of technology in the classroom would not be very hard as upper level elementary students can do this task on their own. The student was very engaged and involved in the activity and could not wait to see his final creation. I think it would be neat to publish student's Wordles on a class website or wiki. This would be a great way to incorporate two tools of technology.

Integration of Technology and Literature

1. http://eduscapes.com/ladders/themes/webquests.htm This great website gives tons of literature based webquests for students. Depending on the grade level and what students are reading, there are a bunch of different activities students can do using literature and technology. Webquests are good for students because it gives them a chance to explore on their own. It also allows them research using the internet, which helps them to become tech-savvy.
   
2. http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/bookcover/ This website actually allows students to create a new book cover for stories they read. They can also print out the book covers and place them over their books. I think this would be so much fun for students because it allows them to be creative. It makes students analyze the story, important events, and characters so they can create a new appropriate cover. This would be a great way to integrate technology with literature.
   
3. http://elementarywikis.pbwiki.com/Ideas-for-Elementary-Wikis This website lists ideas of how to use a wiki page in an elementary classroom. I think a class wiki page would be great for newsletters, posting homework assignments, and a great way to keep parents involved. I also think it would be a good way to conduct literature circles. Students could post their thoughts and comments about a story on their wiki page. Students could also write book reviews on a wiki page. It would also be a great place for students to post their other technology projects, for example a link to a students voicethread or wordle. This way the whole class could see and share them.
   

Voicethread of "Where The Wild Things Are" written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak

http://voicethread.com/share/419032/

I think a voicethread is a fun and easy way for children to write about stories they have read. They can type or record whatever they want about the story and add pictures. I think this would be a great way for students to respond to readings. It engages students while giving them a opportunity to use technology. I think students in 4th or 5th grade would definitely be able to figure this out on their own. The lower grades may need some help, but I still think it would be fun for them to record their thoughts. I think it would also be fun for students to create a class project using this and recording their voices. They could then share it with parents and family. Overall, I think this is a great tool of technology that can definitely be integrated into the classroom for education purposes.

"Friends of a Feather" written by Bill Cosby, illustrated by Erika Cosby

This book is about Feathers, who is a beautiful bird that loves to fly by the crowds at Beach by the Rock.The crowds swoon at his beauty. However, Hog, who his Feathers best friend, gets jealous that Feathers always gets all the attention. Hog decides it is his turn to impress the crowds with his amazing tricks. He can dive down into the water and come back up bringing a fish. This gets him all the attention, while Feathers gets a bit jealous. While Hog and Feathers are competing for the attention of the people, one of Hog's tricks goes wrong and he injures his wings. Like a true best friend, Feathers comes to his rescue and pops his wing back into place. The two realize how petty their fight was and decide to work together on their shows to the crowds.

This a good story for children to read because again, it has a great moral. I really love stories that have good morals because I believe chilren can learn so much from reading these kinds of stories. I think it also discusses topics that all children can relate to, friendship and jealousy. As we have discussed in class, it is important for children to make connections with stories. I believe children could with this story.

"Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery" written by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell

This children's book explores the mystery of where balloons go once they are let free. Do they go out to dinner? Get married? Meet up for a huge dance? Write letters? The book creatively explores what balloons do up in the sky once they are gone and we cannot see them anymore. It then takes the balloons and draws a parallel between holding onto them and holding onto your children, from a parent's perspective. It says to hold on tight before you have to let go. I think this is such a sweet book for teachers, parents, and students alike. I really like books that are creative and that let children explore with their imaginations. I believe this book does just this. The illustrations are also very vivid and interesting in this book. I think they do a great job of showing what balloons do when they are high up in the sky. 

"Pinkalicious"- written and illustrated by Victoria & Elizabeth Kann

I absolutely love the illustrations in this children's book. I think they are so unique and creative. This book is about a girl who is obsessed with the color pink. After eating too many pink cupcakes, she turns pink herself! She can't believe it, she has a very rare case of pinkititis. She loves it until bees, bugs, and butterflies start attacking her because they think she is a flower. However, once she gets back inside, she wants one more cupcake, which the doctor said she cannot eat anything pink. After sneaking just one more cupcake, she wakes up the next day and much to her surprise, she has turned red! In order to get her normal self back, she tries to eat as much green, healthy foods as she can. Eventually she eats so much green, she turns back into her regular, beautiful self.

I think this is a cute children's book for young girls. I do not think boys would like this book at all, as there is a little too much pink action going on. However, I think it is great for girls and I think it teaches them a good moral of being satisfied with who you are. 

"The Biggest Bear" written and illustrated by Lynd Ward

I chose to read this as one of my extra books in an attempt to read more boy-ish books. Johnny Orchard's family owned a farm, much like most people in his town. However, there was one thing that was missing from his that everyone else's had, a bearskin. Everytime Johnny would go into town, he felt embarassed and ashamed of his farm as he saw the bearskins on everyone's barns. One day on his way home, he stumbled upon a cub. He decided to feed it some maple sugar and just like that the two become best friends. Johnny took the cub home to his family where they were a little hesitant, but they did not resist. As the cub grew into a huge bear, he ate everything from everyone, which began to annoy the people of the town. Johnny's parents decided he must get rid of the bear. Johnny tried, but the bear always came back. So Johnny realized he must do the unthinkable, kill the bear. Before Johnny got the chance to, the two ended up in a cage set for the bear so he could be taken to the zoo. Johnny agreed to let him go there because he knew the bear would be given a great home. Now Johnny can visit the bear whenever he wants and bring him a piece of maple sugar.

Again, I really liked this book. I don't think it is too boy-ish for girls not to like it or appreciate it. I think this is a good book for students to read to show the unlikely bond that the boy and bear shared. The boy felt ashamed for not having what others had, a bearskin, but he realized it is not what others think about you. I think this is great moral and lesson for students to hear. 

Modern Fantasy- "Tuesday" written and illustrated by David Wiesner

This unique children's book only has four pages of words and the rest of the story is told through the pictures. Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm frogs from a nearby lake begin to fly around on their lily pads. The frogs fly through a neighborhood and become unexpected house guests to some homes. However, by this time it is the middle of the night, and no one is awake to see them. The frogs fly through the town until the sun begins to rise. At this time, their flying lily pads disappear and they again become normal frogs that cannot fly. The next Tuesday, there are new animals that can now fly, pigs. 

I really love children's books where the story is told through pictures. I think this gives children the opportunity to interpret the story in their own way. This could add many variations to the story, which I think is so fun. I think this story allows children to be creative and create a story of their own using only the pictures.

Graphic Novel- "Indiana Jones and The Golden Fleece" Volume 1 written by Pat McGreal & Dave Rawson, illustrated by Ken Hooper

It has been a very long time since I have read a graphic novel, so I picked this unexpecting one as an attempt to branch out to more boy-ish books. Indiana Jones is trying to find the Golden Fleece while simultaneously being hunted down by the Nazis. In his search, he encounters many great dangers, but of course is able to overcome them in true Indiana Jones style. The Nazi army is chasing Indy because they have been watching him for awhile now and he has something they want, the blade of reconsecration. He almost gets caught, but an unlikely partner is made with an eight month pregnant woman. She saves Indy not once, but three times. In their last scene together, the pregnant lady wants to escape Greece as does Indy. The two hop into a flighter jet, stolen from the Nazis, and the pregnant lady suprisingly flies them off the island of Greece. Unfortunately, this was only volume 1 and it ended at a cliff-hanger. 

Much to my surprise, I really liked this graphic novel. I thought it was fun to read a story in this form. It was very entertaining and intense. I think that boys especially would love reading this story. As we have discussed in class, it is important to have a variety of texts in the classroom, and I think having graphic novels would definitely be interesting to students.

Science Fiction/ Chapter Book- "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle

In this classic science fiction novel, Meg and her brother are in search of their father. He is a famous scientist, who left three years ago on some sort of unexplained mission. He used to write letters to his wife, Meg's mother, but they became non-existent with time. Meg and her brother, Charles, meet some interesting characters named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which. These three old, mysterious ladies aren't ladies afterall. They are from the fifth dimension, which is where Meg, Charles, and a friend, Charles, travel to with the ladies or rather stars/mysterious creatures. To get to the fifth dimension, the children and ladies must tesser; the particles of their bodies separate and travel into the fifth dimension, which is like space. In the fifth dimension, there are two sides, the dark and the light. When the children reach a planet/city called Camazotz, they are abonded by the three ladies and left to fend for themselves. In this mysterious place, everything and everyone is the same, acting in unison. Meg, Charles, and Calvin find the Central, Central Intelligence, which controls the city to figure out why this place is the way it is. Through this, they find their father, but there is still a battle left to fight with the evil dark side of the fifth dimension. When Charles gets taken into the evil side through IT, a brain, Meg must save her brother with love. Once Meg saves her brother, Meg, Charles, Calvin, and their father are able to return home to be united with their family. 

I had never read this story until now. I know it is a class story and because of this, I had high expectations for it. However, the book did not meet my expectations. I think it may be because I am not a huge fan of the science fiction genre. I do think this would be a great story to have in my classroom though. I believe many children would love to read it as it is mysterious and intriguing. I also think children like to read about science fiction. 

Biography- "Martin Luther King" Wordle

I used the below Wordle to describe the book I read about Martin Luther King Jr. I chose words that described who he was and what he did. I think this alternative source of technology can be used in the classroom because it is fun, creative, and easy. I believe that student's would love to pick key words from a story and design a Wordle. It creates a visual representation and organization that is unique and fun for viewers. I think it would be easy to incorporate this into the classroom. Students could get on the computer and type in their selected words. It only takes a couple of seconds for the Wordle to be created. The teacher could have the students print them out for her to see and the student could even keep a copy to take home. I believe this technology source is great for elementary students as it is so visual, cute, and creative. 

Biography- "Martin Luther King" by Rosemary L. Bray, illustrated by Malcah Zeldis

Biography- "Johnny Appleseed" By Jane Yolen, illustrated by Jim Burke

This biography takes the traditional song about Johnny Appleseed and matches it with the truth. Johnny Appleseed, really John Chapman, was born to a poor family, but his father was not a farmer because he did not have enough money to buy any land of his own. When his father went away to fight in the Battle of Bunker Hill, Johnny's mother died and he was forced to live with his grandparents. Upon his father's return, he had a new wife and she bore many children. Since his family was poor, Johnny dropped out of school and was hired out for work. This is when he began working with apples. In his twenties, Johnny became a missionary and brought his apples with him. He plants his apple seeds in Pennslyvania and Ohio. Johnny does not take his payment in the form of money, but in exchange for clothes, a meal, or a place to stay. Johnny dies in Indiana when he is trying to repair a fence. He catches pneumonia at the age of 71. Most of Johnny's land is taken by bills and lawyers, and his half sister only ends up getting $165.95 when everything is settled. 

I thought this was a very interesting biography as it took the legendary Johnny Appleseed song and told the facts of his story. I think it is great when stories do this so that children and teachers alike can learn the facts and true history of Johnny Appleseed. At the bottom of each page, the book included proof of how they knew this true story of him. It shows that the author did her research of him before she wrote the story. I believe this is a good book for children to read because they learn who Johnny Appleseed really was.

Folk Tale- "The Gingerbread Man" by Golden Books, illustrated by Bonnie and Bill Rutherford

This is the tradtional folk tale of the gingerbread man. An old lady wants to bake a surprise for her husband. She decides to bake him a gingerbread man. Once the gingerbread man is done, she opens the oven to pull him out. Much to her surprise, the gingerbread man hops up and runs away. The old lady and old man try to chase the gingerbread man along with a cow, horse, and cat. But none can catch the gingerbread man. He comes to a fox who offers to carry him across the river. The gingerbread man agrees since the fox has just eaten dinner. The fox convinces the gingerbread man to ride across on his nose, and then the fox does the unthinkeable, eats the gingerbread man. 

I am sure most kids have heard this story upon coming to school. I think it offers a great lesson of do not boast or be prideful as the gingerbread man ran around saying no one could catch him. I think it also offers repitition which is good for young readers- the gingerbread man sings the same song while running. I think this is a cute, classic tale that children must read. 

Biography- "Mack Made Movies" written and illustrated by Don Brown

Mack always had a dream of being a show business star. However, no one liked him in the few play parts he had. He decided things needed to change, so he learned slapstick humor. The crowds loved it and they loved him. Once Thomas Edison invented the Kinetoscope, the beginning stages of a filming camera, Mack knew he had to continue to pursue his career in movie making. Mack had several jobs at big movie studios doing manual labor, like building sets. It wasn't until he was helping film a movie that he realized movies would be a lot more fun if they were humorous, slapstick comedies. He and two other people started their own movie company and began filming movies. They signed many big actors of this time period and became well known for their comedic movies. Mack had finally made his dream become a reality. 

This biography was informative and gives the reader a lesson of never give up on your dreams. I really liked this biography because it was not about a "typical" person children already know or have heard about. Instead it was about Mack. I think children would definitely love to read this story because it is about movies, which everyone loves and can relate to. I also like that it teaches the reader a lesson of never giving up. I believe children cannot hear this message enough in their young formative years.

Historical Fiction- "How I Learned Geography" written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz

This children's book is about a young boy who is forced to leave his home in Poland because of World War II. His family flees to what is now known as Kazakhstan, and they live in a small room with another family. This poverty-striken boy has no toys, and his family has no food to eat. His father leaves to go out to the market to buy a loaf of bread for the family, but he only returns with a map. The boy is so upset in the beginning, but he soon becomes fascinated by the map. He spends hours studying it, and it takes him to lands far away from the poor, one room he lives in. He absolutely loves the map and the adventures he has with it. By the end of the story, he is so thankful his father bought the map instead of the bread. 

The author wrote this story about his family and what he remembers about fleeing his home in Poland. I think this would be a great story for students to read as it teaches them about history. However, as a teacher, you would need to careful with reading this book to your students as it talks about a poverty-striken family who is fleeing a war torn country. This could cause students in your classroom to feel uncomfortable or it could touch on sensitive subjects. I believe as a teacher, it would be important to discern whether or not this story would be suitable for your class to hear. 

Folk Literature/Chapter Book- "Thumbelina" by Barbara Ensor

Thumbelina is a quick read for a chapter book. It is about Thumbelina, of course, who is only one and five-eighths inches tall. Her Mum, Anne Marie, always wanted a child but she was not married and did not foresee that ever changing. Upon visiting a witch, she received a seed to plant. From this plant, Thumbelina sprouted and her Mum was happy at last. Thumbelina had everything a normal sized person did, a bed, table, clothes, and food. However, there was one thing missing from her life, adventure. She wanted so badly to go outside and get dirty maybe even scrath her knee. Her Mum would never let her outside because she was afraid of what may happen to her. Until one night this changed and she decided Thumbelina could sleep outside in her walnut shell bed.  Thumbelina chronicles her adventures that are had as a result of being left outside for the night. She is wanted as a bride for many animals, but she always runs from them because she is never truly in love until she meets a swallow. This swallow takes Thumbelina back home to her Mum, and the swallow and Thumbelina are in love, living happily ever after.

I really loved this cute chapter book. I had never read Thumbelina before and this book claims it is the true story of what actually happened to her. I enjoyed this book because it was very imaginative and creative. I believe that young girls would like reading it. However, I do not think boys would enjoy it. It sends a good message to girls, never let others force you into something you do not want to do and never settle for others. I would like to add this book to my classroom library. 

Folk Tales- "Apples to Oregon" by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

This cute tall tale is about a family moving from Iowa to Oregon on the Oregon Trail. Papa, the father, cannot bare to leave his apple trees behind in Iowa, so he decides to bring them along. As one can imagine, it is not easy to travel from Iowa to Oregon with a family and apple trees in tow. Delicious, the daughter of Papa, takes care of the apple trees and makes sure they arrive safely in Oregon; whether it be crossing a river or keeping warm at night. Once the family arrives, Papa plants his trees in the Oregon soil and the family lives happily ever after, so to speak. When the California goldrush begins, the family does not have to move out there because their fortune has already been made in Oregon with the beloved apple trees. 

This book is a tall tale, but it is true that the first apples came to Oregon by wagon. I think this story gives the Oregon Trail a fun spin. It shows children what people had to endure while on their way to Oregon. I like that it is partly true in the fact that apples first came to Oregon this way. This story could also be considered realistic fiction as it is about a historical event that happened. Teachers could use it when studying the Oregon Trail. It could be used as a supplemental, fun book. I think this is a fun story that children would definitely enjoy reading. 

Historical Fiction- "Freedom Summer" by Deborah Wiles, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue

In this touching, heartfelt book, two boys share a friendship that transcends the boundaries of racism during the Civil Rights movement. John Henry and the narrator are inseperable in this story, swimming in the lake together, eating ice pops, and even sharing the dream of becoming firefighters. When the ban of black people swimming in the public pools is lifted, the city decides to fill in the pool with cement to prevent this from happening. John Henry is sad because he wants to do all the things his white friends does. The narrator also feels horrible and wants so badly to experience things with his best friend, John Henry. After the pool incident, the boys deicde to head down to Diary Dip to get ice pops; something the boys could not do together before. 

This story really touched me because it was such a sweet story about two best friends. I really loved how the boys knew why John Henry couldn't swim in the public pool, but they did not mnetion it and went to the lake to swim instead. I think this story portrays what true friendship should look like while showing the reader what happened during the Civil Rights movement. However, I think this story could cause uncomfortable situations or be sensitive for young students. I think it would be better regarded in upper elementary grades because students need to take this subject matter seriously. 

Realistic Fiction/Chapter Book- "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin

This quick read, chapter book tells the story of three elementary school girls. Two of whom ,Peggy and Maddie, are best friends. Peggy is the popular girl in school who everyone loves. Maddie is her friend because well, she is the popular girl at school. Peggy is the leader of the two girls. The other girl in the story, Wanda, is a poor and always wears the same blue dress to school. It is clean, but never ironed. All the people at school make fun of her because of her unusual last name and her same, blue dress. One day, Wanda tells everyone that in her closet at home, she owns one hundred dresses. Naturally no one believes her. Peggy asks her about the dresses everyday while Wanda continues to describe them in great detail. The dresses that Wanda so elaborately describes are not real dresses, but in fact drawn ones. Wanda ends up being a great artist and the owner of one hundred drawn dresses. In the end of the story, Wanda's family ends up moving away to the big city. Peggy and Maddie feel awful about her leaving and feel bad for ever making fun of her.  The girls try to make it up to her by writing her an apology letter, but end up just writing her a friendly one. Months later, the girls receive a response letter from Wanda, and they realize Wanda really did like them.

I really liked this chapter book. I think it talks about some realistic issues that children go through, teasing and bullying. I think children would enjoy reading it, but it could also be used for some good discussion. I believe it shows children that they should not bully other children and how it hurts them. Even though this is an older children's book, I believe it is still very applicable today. 

Multicultural Literature- "The Irish Cinderlad" by Shirley Climo, illustrated by Loretta Krupinski

The Irish Cinderlad is the Irish version of the Cinderella tale. However, this story has some noticeable differences, one being the main character is a boy, Becan. Becan has giant feet, which everyone makes fun of including his three step sisters. Becan becomes friends with a bull, an unusual pairing. This bull is no normal bull, but a magical one acting as a fairy-godmother to the boy. The bull equips Becan with a weapon that eventually slays the evil dragon who is trying to kill the King's daughter. The princess decides she must find and marry the boy who killed the dragon for her, but all she is left with is his giantic boot. We all know how Cinderella ends, and this Irish version is no different. 

I think this story would be good to have as a teacher because it would get boys interested in the story since the main character is a boy. This twist to the original Cinderella is one that may get boys involved and interested in the reading of it. Like the other multicultural Cinderella, this book does a good job of incorporating cultural information. I really liked this version of the fairy tale. 

Multicultural Literature- "Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal" by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis

This book takes the classic Cinderella tale and changes it to match its surroundings. From Appalachia, to Mexico, to the West Indies, to Ireland, to China, and to many more countries. In each country, the story changes based on the areas traditions and cultures. For example, in France a pair of glass slippers appeared on the girl's feet. In India diamond anklets and in Iraq sandles of gold. The reader gets to see how the tale has been changed and through this cultural differences and traditions are revealed. 

I think this book does a great job of sharing a small snip-it of how the Cinderella tale is different in each country. This book would be great for students to analyze and discuss the cultures and traditions of countries around the world. I find it very interesting that one single tale of Cinderella has become so diverse and unique to each country with so many variations. I believe this would be a great book to read to students for them to learn about other cultures and traditions through a story most are familiar with. 

Multicultural Literature/ Chapter Book- "The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963 is a story about a fourth grade African-American boy, Kenny, and the adventures and mishaps of his family, the "Weird Watsons" as they are called. Kenny is  very smart for his age and because of this, he is often made fun of by his classmates. However, his brother, Byron, happens to be the school bully, which is both good and bad for Kenny (usually the latter). Byron is always causing trouble, so his parents decide it is time for him to learn his lesson by taking him to his grandmother's house to be straightened out. The Watsons pack their car,  Brown Bomber, and head to Birmingham, Alabama from Flint, Michigan. While in Birmingham, Kenny encounters an experience that leaves him tramautized for weeks even after returning back to Flint. Naturally, his parents are very worried about him, but do not know what to do. Kenny ends up being consoled by his older, bully brother, Byron.  

The author shows the reader how children are affected by bullying through Kenny's emotions and thoughts. I think this story is a great example to show children as to why bullying is not right. It shows the raw emotions of hurt and pain. The story also discusses racial prejudices and crimes. I think this story would open up discussion about this topic and again, why this is wrong. Overall, I think The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963 would be a great book to have in my library as a teacher.