Back to School Week! Day 1

It's August! And that means the back to school countdown is most likely on... whether your children head back before Labor Day or shortly after, it's really right around the corner... I have just 22 days of freedom left... anxious about starting the new school year, yet dreading what that means - the end of long summer days (or nights) as the case may be! I have several new back-to-school titles up for review, and decided to get them out there, hoping that you'll find the perfect one to share with your back-to-schooler!

Prelutsky, Jack.
There's No Place Like School: Classroom Poems.
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

From suspsicious hot lunches (yuck!), to pop quizzes (oh, no!), to recess and best friends (hooray!), everything you love - and love to hate - about school is front and center in this collection of eighteen poems by thirteen celebrated poets. One thing's for certain: there's no place like school!

Children will love all that these poems have to offer - the humor and imagination are lively and flowing - perfect to lighten the somber back-to-school minds that overtake as the end of summer draws near. This is a perfect choice to embrace the start of a new school year!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Take the opportunity at breakfast for the last 18 days of summer vacation to share one of these poems. Download the discussion sheet, found here, to open each day with a discussion related to each poem!
  

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. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

National Day of the Teacher

Some books to honor the teacher on National Day of the Teacher!

Winters, Kay.
My Teacher for President.
2004.
Dutton Children's Books.
Guided Reading Level: J

One child obviously appreciates his teacher, going as far as to write a letter to a local television station in hopes of nominating her for President. The side-by-side illustrations that we see show a child's perspective of the election, while at the same time, allowing children to get an adult's perspective on what different aspects of the Presidency involve.

My teacher acts quickly when there's an emergency. And she says health care is important.

The child sees the teacher acting quickly in the emergency when the class pet escapes its cage... that illustration is countered with a picture of the teacher (as President) passing out food to those in need. The following page shows her bandaging up injured children on the playground (as teacher) and participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony at a new pediatric care unit (as President). The book ends with the child closing the letter by asking that the teacher not leave until the current school year has ended.

Not only does this book honor the works of a teacher, it also would double as a resource when teaching children about the President. Definitely worthy of a spot among the classroom library!

Dr. Seuss, Jack Prelutsky & Lane Smith.
Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
1998.
Alfred A. Knopf.

This book is truly hilarious! Started by Dr. Seuss, it was completed in 1998 with help from Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith... they did Dr. Seuss justice, I'd say and kids are sure to love the story!

Tribute is paid not only to a beloved teacher, but to the entire Diffendoofer School, which focuses teaching children how to think.

My teacher is Miss Bonkers,
She's as bouncy as a flea.
I'm not certain what she teaches,
But I'm glad she teaches me.

When a test similar to today's standardized tests must be administered at the school, Principal Mr. Lowe, fears that the children won't be able to apply what they've learned and that the school will then be closed and children will be sent to nearby Flobbertown where,

They dress in just one style.
They sing one songe, they never dance,
They march in single file.
They do not have a playground,
And they do not have a park.
Their lunches have no taste at all,
Their dogs are scared to bark.

Miss Bonkers gently reminds students that they are capable of passing the test...

Miss Bonkers rose. "Don't fret!" she said.
"You've learned the things you need
To pass that test and many more -
I'm certain you'll succeed.
We've taught you that the earth is round,
That red and white make pink,
And something else that matters more -
We've taught you how to think."

and they do, with flying colors! The children and staff celebrate by declaring Diffendoofer Day and sing the Diffendoofer Song.

We love you, Diffendoofer School,
We definitely do.
There surely is no other school
That's anything like you.
You're gribbulous, you're grobbulous,
Each day we love you more.
You are the school we treasure
And unceasingly adore.

Oh, finest school in Dinkerville -
The only one as well -
We love you, Diffendoofer School,
Much more than we can tell.
You are so diffendooferous
It gives us joy to say,
Three cheers for Diffendoofer School -
Hooray!
Hooray!
Hooray!

Greene, Rhonda Gowler.
This is the Teacher.
2004.
Dutton Children's Books.

If the kids love Simms Taback's This is the House that Jack Built, they're sure to enjoy This is the Teacher, as it follows an almost identical telling. Teacher are sure to get a kick out of it, as this teacher's day starts out very similar to their own, and in many instances, ends the same way - passed out in bed, exhausted from a busy day!

This is the teacher with books in a bag
who walks from the building, beneath the tall flag,
leading the line
past the mural they made
near the kid who got sick
by the fountain that clogged
as the bad bee went buzz
and the raindrops fell - plop!
after - whack! - the ball soared
near the room where they munched
and that hamster that kid
by the books that fell - oops! -
near the tooth that was found
and the cupcakes that flew
by the scared girl who shrieked
at the long snake that climbed
toward the ants that were spilled
by the students who rushed
and toppled the teacher...
... all ready for bed!

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.