Previous by Date | Next by Date | Date Index
Previous by Thread | Next by Thread
| Thread Index
| LM_NET
Archive
| |
Original Post: Our school is beginning a Character Ed Program titled Random Acts of Kindness. I have been asked to read aloud to 4th/5th graders related books. Here are the responses I've received. Thanks!! Not knowing how much time you have to read to your students, one series of books I like to read from are the "Chicken Soup for the Teenage / Kids Soul." I try to locate a story or two about a particular topic; read it to the class, and then discuss afterward. The kids seem to relate pretty well to the books/stories. -Evelyn W. Reakes How about Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Pearson or One Smile by McKinley. These books are a little young but can show the impact of a good deed. It's the "pass it on " approach. -Janet Moser T.A. Barron is a champion of young people's character. He has the picture book HIGH AS A HAWK which is about courage and persistence. Then, he has the wonderful LOST YEARS OF MERLIN series in which young Merlin, who does not know his own name at the outset, journeys through 5 books and especially in the SEVEN SONGS OF MERLIN, has to figure out what is truly important. At one point he has a flowering harp and he goes to see old friends and expects them to really value him for his harp. Instead they tell him they value their friends for what they bring in their hearts. (Cool, huh?) So, thought I'd pass those along. His MERLIN'S DRAGON (the first book so far in a new trilogy) is equally powerful because young Basil is trying to find out who he is and trying to find his own kind and wants to feel big and powerful and have a sense of identity. As usual it's adventure filled but Barron's imagination and his use of sensory images are in a class by themselves. He's amazing. THE WELL by Taylor. It's not that long but really packs a punch. I really like LOSER by Jerry Spinelli and RULES by Cynthia Lord. You might also want to take a look at the winners of the Schneider Award that is given for books that deal with children with disabilities. REACHING FOR THE SUN I believe is the title of one and WAITING FOR NORMAL won this year. Sometimes picture books work with this age group as well and SHRINKING VIOLET would be a good one, THE OTHER SIDE by Jacqueline Woodson is awesome of course. -Barb Langridge Kindness was the focus for our Character Ed program in February. I used Patricia Polacco's "The Lemonade Club" for 5th grade. (Note - this is a picture book format - but written for older children and it can be done in one library lesson). It is a true story based on Polacco's own experience of having a child with leukemia.My students really liked it. -Maria Sogegian -Candice Sheerer, SLMS Otisville Elementary Otisville, NY 10963 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------