Sneaky Sheep

Help children understand the importance of following the rules with the Sneaky Sheep!

Monroe, Chris.
Sneaky Sheep.
August 2010.
Lerner Publishing Group.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Blossom and Rocky are not only sneaky sheep! They also seem to have trouble following the rules and are continually trying to do what they've been asked not to do. The two have always taken notice of the other, greener meadow up higher on the mountain. They're determined to explore it despite the warnings and rules of Murphy, the Sheep Dog that's been "hired" to keep the sheep safe. When they finally make it up to those "greener grasses," they find themselves in a pickle, ultimately learning the hard way that there really was a reason that Murphy forbid them from going there in the first place!

Sneaky Sheep will hopefully help children understand that there really IS a reason that rules exist and that it's important to follow them for their own safety! I've definitely got to give this one a read in my Head Start class - I constantly have children testing me, believing the rules are only in place because "you don't want me to have any fun!" Perhaps they'll learn a lesson of their own from Rocky and Blossom!



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Sheep

Who knew that such fuzzy critters could cause such an uproar!?!

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

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Records the misadventures of a group of sheep that go riding in a jeep.

I've reviewed several of Nancy Shaw's "sheep" books in the past... and I've loved every one them! This is no different! The rhyming text coupled with this newly released lap board book edition make this book absolutely perfect for getting the youngest children involved and loving books! It's laugh-out-loud funny, something that will easily appeal to all children! Definitely glad to have this book on my shelf!

Activities to Use in Collaboration with this book:

• Interactive Writing - Create a companion class book using rhyming words. Sample titles could include:
  
  Sheep Leap
  Sheep Sleep
  Sheep Beep
• Rhyming Words - Use this reproducible to create a manipulative to practice rhyming words.

  Letter size paper - I reproduced several copies of a sheep with a space then "e e p." I used an exacto knife to cut slits where the space was.

  Legal size paper - I reproduced several copies of beginning sounds (sh, d, b, p, k. sl) for eep words on legal size paper. I then cut them into strips. I had drawn stop signs at each end of the strips. (Wow! d, p, b - major confusion most kids at this stage.)

  I showed the kids how to insert their strip and fold the ends so it wouldn't pull all the way through. There were enough kids who caught on to help the rest of the class assemble their sheep. Then, they could practice saying the beginning sound before "eep" and read them to their parents at home!

  Courtesy of www.atozteacherstuff.com

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 on the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

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.