Thanks very much to all those offering suggestions of books about research.
I definitely received some great ideas! Here is my original post:
"I am first year media specialist and I am getting ready to start a
semester-long class with a small group of 5th graders who will be learning how to
conduct research on a topic of their choice. I would love to incorporate a few
picture books into our first few sessions but I am drawing a blank and
searching the archives was not much help.
If you know of any picture books (F or NF) that might relate to learning new
information, exploring ideas, using research skills, etc. that might be
helpful I would love to hear from you! I'll post a HIT!"
Elizabeth Stitsinger
Media Specialist
Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet
Durham, NC 27705
_elizabeth.stitsinger@dpsnc.net_ (mailto:elizabeth.stitsinger@dpsnc.net)
____________________________________________________________________________
I know of three picture books that help introduce the library. The
following are the titles and descriptions. I found them online at
http://elementaryeducators.schoolspecialtypublishing.com
Mr. Wiggle Looks for Answers helps young readers—and young
researchers—explore dictionaries, thesauri, almanacs, encyclopedias and
atlases to find out what each one is and how they can help find answers.
ISBN: 1-57768-615-2
In Mr. Wiggle's Library, Mr. Wiggle helps discover the organization of a
library. Tag along as he finds newspapers, award-winning books, magazines,
and reference tools. ISBN: 1-57768-613-6
In Mr. Wiggle Loves to Read, Mr. Wiggle explores the differences between
fiction and nonfiction. Young readers can follow along with Mr. Wiggle as
he teaches about the characteristics of these two genres. ISBN:
1-57768-614-4
________________
Pink and Say [research black soldiers in Civil War]
The Legend of the Yellow Star [true or not?]
Read to Me, Mama [adult illiteracy]
So Far from the Sea [Japanese US POW camps during WWII]
_______________
I have been doing this (group and individual research projects) for longer
than I will admit, but I still find this a hard concept. I guess this is partly
because my county had these kids do a project where they could change the
community, the world, someone's thinking about a topic that they were
"passionate" about. Now the concept has broadened somewhat and it should be easier
to
approach the subject. Anyway, a book called Choosing and Charting is a great
one to use with kids and projects. I got it from a website, but perhaps you
could also get it thru Amazon.
_http://www.creativelearningpress.com/excerpts/choosing_charting.html_
(http://www.creativelearningpress.com/excerpts/choosing_charting.html)
______________
Mo Willem's Leonardo the Terrible Monster shows
Leonardo doing research to find 'the most scaredy-cat
kid in the world.' He's sitting amongst huge stacks
of books. Short, clever book.
_____________
A little off, but Paul Fleischman's Weslandia is a great book where the
"hero" has to do research as his garden produces exotic plants.
_____________
There is a Mr. Wiggle picture book that deal with research. It is
called: "Mr. Wiggle looks for answers." Here is a description: "Mr.
Wiggle is trying to find some information in the reference section.
Tag along with him as he explores dictionaries, thesauri, almanacs,
encyclopedias, and atlases to find out what each one is about, and how
they can help him when he's looking for answers. Young readers will
discover how to use each of these different research tools." It may
be a little young for your students but that may work for you too!
:-)
_____________
Although the book I will recommend is not a "picture book", it is great for
helping students learn about writing stories, using dictionaries, and
discovering research tools. Lois Lowery's book, Gooney Bird Greene, is an
irresistible story of a second grade girl who teaches her classmates (and her
teacher!)
how to construct a story, how to use a dictionary, and how to effectively
choose words. It's fairly short and sweet, and makes a great read-aloud. It
deserves to be on your elementary book radar.
____________
I have the PERFECT book for you, and I'm not just saying it because I wrote
it :> Can you wait until October 13? That's when Our Library Won't Tell Us
ANYTHING! A Mrs. Skorupski Story by Toni Buzzeo debuts from Upstart. It's a
fiction book about a fourth grade class, their librarian, their teacher, and
their big research project!
It's already on the Upstart website and will be published momentarily. It
even comes with a curriculum guide for the research unit the students are
doing in the book! Read more on my website at _www.tonibuzzeo.com_
(http://www.tonibuzzeo.com/) and if you use promotional code 7040, you'll even
get a 20%
discount!
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