Nancy Shaw's Birthday

Today marks Nancy Shaw's 63rd birthday! Shaw is most famous for her "Sheep" books, three of which are the focus of today's post!

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep on a Ship.
1989.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: G

Sheep on a Ship takes readers on another hilarious adventure! The rhyming text will keep readers on their toes and alert at all times. This series of "Sheep" books seems as though it would act as a wonderful introduction to rhyming words and word families in the early elementary classroom!

The sheep have once again set out on an adventure, they're out to sea on the ship. During their trip, while the sheep are napping, a sudden storm comes up. As the ship shakes about, the sheep wake up, only to discover that they need to move quickly if they are to survive the sinking ship. Tearing down the masts, they quickly create a raft and jump off the ship. Luckily, they were able to out-ride the worst of the storm and can see land on the horizon and glad that that trip is behind them!

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep in a Jeep.
1997.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: G

This book would be great for introducing word families or even for introducing the different way long vowel e words are spelled.

For those of you who aren't familiar with this first hit of Shaw's, a flock of sheep are out for an adventure - taking a ride in a jeep. However, the jeep has other plans in mind for the sheep instead of just a day out! The jeep winds up in a gooey mud pit before crashing into a tree and winding up for sale - cheap!

It's a funny book and is sure to have kids laughing!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Sheep in a Jeep Lesson
• Beacon Lesson Plan Library - Sheep in a Jeep
• Scholastic - Sheep in a Jeep Lesson Plan
  

Shaw, Nancy.
Sheep in a Shop.
April 2009.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Guided Reading Level: G

I'm so glad to be able to add this book to my collection! It's not only the first Nancy Shaw book to go on my shelf, but also the first in the "sheep" series! The book has a lot that can be done with it, education wise - rhyming, word families, initial consonant blends... I would also add it to my birthday collection because a birthday is coming and the sheep head out to do some shopping for the party! This newest edition comes complete with a CD reading of the book, making it perfect for a listening center in an early elementary classroom!

The sheep once again set forth on an adventure... when we spend a day with the sheep, there's sure to be a full filled day! It's time to buy a birthday present, and once they arrive at the store, the five sheep find all kinds of mischief to get into - tennis rackets, rockets, blocks, clocks, trains and planes. They settle on a ball but not before climbing and causing a ruckus with the boxes!

It's funny for sure and is bound to have kids chuckling!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Designing a Big Book: Sheep in a Shop
• Social Studies - Economics: Sheep in a Shop
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.