Amelia Earhart Birth Anniversary

Amelia Earhart, aviator, was born at Atchison, KS on July 24, 1897. She was the first woman to cross the Atlantic solo and fly solo across the Pacific from Hawaii to California. On July 2, 1937, she was lost in the Pacific Ocean on a flight from New Guinea to Howland Island.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Adler, David.
A Picture Book of Amelia Earhart.
1998.
Holiday House, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: M

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Discusses the life of the pilot who was the first woman to cross the Atlantic by herself in a plane.

This book would be perfect for older elementary children who are studying biographies. Amelia Earhart's life is detailed to a perfect extent for children, making this the perfect selection for a unit on biographies or to be used when asking children to write a report on a famous person who had an impact on American history.

Ryan, Pam Munoz.
Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride.
1999.
Scholastic, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: P

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

While still dressed in evening gowns, Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt go on a night flight above Washington, D.C. on April 1933. Extensively researched, the story contains actual dialogue and facts of the account. Breathtaking illustrations tell the trip of these two American heroines as it might have been.

I know from my past experiences in the classroom, that children have a hard time reading (and enjoying) literature about people from long ago who they can't really connect with. However, the way in which this story is written, children will likely be yearning to learn more about both Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt! The friendship that is depicted between the two is one that children will really be able to relate to, as they both share a love of feeling independent and daring. This is most definitely worth sharing!

Lesson Plans/Reading Activities:

• Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride: ABC Book
• Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride Activity Page
• Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride Lesson Plan
• Providing Equity for Everyone
• Amelia and Eleanor Literature Guide

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.

National Flag Week

Yesterday, like many of you probably realize was Flag Day... but the American Flag and all that it means is worthy of much more than just one day of celebration!

National Flag Week is a Presidential Proclamation that has been issued every year since 1966 for the week that includes Flag Day, June 14th. American people to participate in public ceremonies in which the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. So, in honor of National Flag Week, I have a couple flag-related reviews for you!

Ryan, Pam Munoz.
The Flag We Love.
1996.
Scholastic, Inc.

This book is perfect for sharing with children the importance of the American flag! It can be used as a simple introduction to all that the flag stands for, in words that they are able to connect with.

Explorers carried a weary flag
Through snow and sun and wind
And left the banner on the spot
That marked their journey's end.

It could also be used with older children as a research tool!

* In 1926, Richard E. Byrd and his pilot, Floyd Bennett, were the first to fly over the North Pole. Three years later, after Bennett died, Byrd and three companions were the first to fly over the South Pole. Before that historic flight, Byrd took a stone from Bennett's gravesite and tied it to a small American flag. Then, as eh flew over the South Pole, he dropped the flag and stone as a tribute to his ex-pilot and to all polar expeditions. * Explorers often plant flags when they reach their destinations to show that someone from their country has been there. *

Definitely worthy of a read and discussion this week!

Tomp, Sarah Wones.
Red, White, and Blue Good-bye.
2005.
Walker and Company.

This book isn't entirely focused on the American flag, but it does celebrate the colors of the American flag and tells a wonderful story that is so perfect for children with parents serving in the military, that I just had to share it with you... it would be perfect to pass along to military families!

A young girl is dealing with the emotions as it nears time for her father's deployment. Daddy can see his daughter is upset at his pending departure and tries to show her that even though he won't physically be with her, he'll always be with her...

Daddy says, "Look at the mailbox. See that bright red fag on the side? The red flag goes up when you have something for me. Draw me a picture, write me a letter. Anything, anytime. Stick in in the mailbox and I'll get it."

"It'll travel all the way out to the middle of the sea, all the way round the whole world.
It'll come right to me. Whenever the flag is down, I'm thinking of you.
Just keep your eye on the flag."
Red flag.

Next, the pair takes a walk and wind up racing to the end of the street.

Daddy and I go for a walk. We race to the end of the sidewalk.

Daddy says, "Look up at that sky. See those white clouds floating along?
Whenever you miss me, look for clouds and know that I'm under the very same sky.
Those clouds can float between us."
Red flag, white clouds.

At last, Daddy and Daughter head off to the beach.

Daddy and I go to the beach. One last time before he leaves. It's cold, but it's never too cold for us.
We run in and out of the water. Waves rush at my toes;
Daddy swoops me up and out, just before they hit.

We stand in the water. Our feet sink into the wet, soupy sand.
The waves try to pull us out, out to where the big ships sail.
Daddy says, "Look at the ocean. See all the blue water? I'll be
sailing in this same water. I won't be so far. Just right across the
ocean."
Red flag, white clouds, blue ocean.

Somehow though, Daddy has to connect these three things to something concrete in order for his daughter to make sense of it all and understand...

On Daddy's last night, he tucks me in and hands me a flag.
"I have this same flag on my ship. Think of me whenever you see red, white, and blue."

Red, white and blue become symbols throughout the entire story... it's perfect for military families because of this... the flag symbolizes all that our country stands for. Using red, white and blue to help military children deal with deployment is a wonderful idea, and I think Tomp did an incredible job in writing this story!

Other Related Reading:

• Betsy Ross, by Alexandra Wallner
• Coming to America: The Story of Migration, by Betsy Maestro
• F is for Flag, by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
• Flag Day, by Kelly Bennett
• What Freedom Means to Me: A Flag Day Story, by Heather French Henry
  
• Red, White and Blue: The Story of the American Flag, by John Herman
  

Flag Week Fun

• Printable Coloring Pages
• Poems and Rhymes
• Flag Day/Week Crafts
• Ribbon Door Flag
• Splatter Stars
• Patriotic Clothing
  

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.

National Week of the Ocean

It's National Week of the Ocean! So, those lucky ones of you out there who might happen to be enjoying spring break ocean-side or just dreaming of it (like me), here are 3 ocean reviews, and one ocean/beach review that is a new release this month!

Ryan, Pam Munoz.
Hello Ocean.
2001.
Charlesbridge Publishing.

Written in poetic form, this book shares with readers the real life experiences of Ryan and her children. The rhyming text coupled with an educational aspect makes this book perfect literature to incorporate into a thematic unit on the five senses. Pam Munoz Ryan shows readers how each of the five senses are experienced when visiting the ocean:

Sight

I see the ocean, gray, green, blue, a chameleon always changing hue. Amber seaweed, speckled sand, bubbly waves that kiss the land,

Hearing

I hear the ocean a lion's roar, crashing rumors toward the shore, water shushing and rushing in, then whispering back to the sea again.

Feeling

squishy, sandy, soggy ground, slippery seaweed that wraps around, sudden breezes that make me squeal - I love the way the ocean feels.

Smell

I smell the ocean, the fresh salt wind, wafting lotions from suntanned skin.

Taste

I taste the ocean and wonder why it tastes like tears I sometimes cry. Sandy grains in a salty drink.

I can already visualize how I would use this book in such a unit... The book would be used as an introduction to a culminating project on the unit. After reading and discussing the story, I would have students draw from a hat one of five different places: Hello Candy Shoppe, Hello Farm, Hello Ballpark, Hello Circus, Hello Amusement Park. I would then have the students explain the way each each of the 5 senses are used at their given destination.

Frasier, Debra.
Out of the Ocean.
2002.
Harcourt Children's Books
Guided Reading Level: J

This book would be a perfect read before heading to the ocean for a vacation! It provides readers with a purpose while taking strolls along the beach. Not only does Frasier take readers on an adventure alongside a mother and daughter as they walk along the beach, she also shows that with a little imagination you can find a way to appreciate the gifts that are truly right in front of you. The last few pages of the book provide a wealth of information about all the treasures that can be found while walking along the beach.

Andreae, Giles.
The Pop-Up Commotion in the Ocean.
2002.
Tiger Tales.
Guided Reading Level: M

This book focuses less on the beach aspect of the ocean and more on the sea life. Youngsters are sure to love it, as it is a pop-up book. Lucky for you, it's also a book of poems, perfect for celebrating both National Week of the Ocean and National Poetry Month! The verses are funny and somewhat educational at the same time!

Keller, Holly.
Miranda's Beach Day.
2009.
Greenwillow Books.

This wonderful new release shows how the relationship between the crab and the ocean is similar to that of a mother and daughter, as the daughter will always belong to her mother and the crab will always belong to the ocean, although they may go their separate ways at times.

It's an interesting way that the connection is made, as Miranda and her mother head out for a day at the beach. While there, Miranda meets another little boy and the two quickly set to work building a sandcastle (a new home) for small crab that Miranda and her mother found on the beach. As the day comes to a close, the ocean tide is moving in, and takes with it crab. At the same time, Miranda's mom collects her daughter to head home for the day. It's a cute story and while children may have a difficult time understanding the connection between themselves and the crab, for sure you mother's out there will appreciate the story!

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.