Here you will find great books that have made an impact on myteaching. I want to share them with you in hopes that they will be of some help to you too. Also under some of the books you will find free resources that will be helpful to you when using the book! If you like what you see, click on the book and buy the book at Amazon for a great price! I have only listed the books that I use over and over again on this page! BOOKS I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT!!!
Leapfrog
Letter Factory DVD/VHS This is not a book... Still, I had to share this awesome DVD/VHS with you. It is one of the best learning DVD's I have seen. It will be a great watch for the Pre-k to first grade classrooms. The DVD teaches the letter names. Most importantly, it teaches the letter sounds in a creative way. Viewers see the letters, hear the letter names, they see a picture/video that represents the sound each letter makes, and the viewer hears a catchy tune to match the letter sound. For instance, the letter C is shown in a cold environment with ice hanging from it. The letter comes to life by shivering and stating that it is /c/ /c/ /c/.... old. Then the characters in the story sing the catchy Leapfrog song; "The C says/c/, the C says /c/, every letter makes a sound. The C says /c/. This DVD/VHS is marketed towards parents to use with their PreK to First grader, but all teachers need to know about this video and share it with their class. It would be a great review or introduction to letter sounds. Teachers could also use the catchy phrases and visual representation of the letter sounds in their lessons by creating activities or visuals based on the video. Students will see the sounds letters make, hear the sounds, and sing the sounds. This video combined with strong phonics based classroom instruction will help reach a variety of learning styles and lead your students on the path to becoming strong readers. Other great products by Leapfrog |
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Got-a Get it!!! Get
Ready for the Kissing Hand Heart
in Hand Metal Cookie Cutter
May 2005 Great Reads For The Month |
Reading
With Meaning: Teaching Comprehension
in the Primary Grades
Feb. 2004 Book of the Month!
As you may have guessed, I loved
Mosaic of Thought and Strategies that Work and then I came across
this book by Debbie Miller and fell in love with another book
that helps teachers create readers that "think" while
they read and read for meaning. This is a great book for a
teacher that is thinking about starting Reading Workshop in their
classroom. You can read this book along with Mosiac or without
it. It is an awesome book that will help you grow as a reading
teacher!
Math
for Spring: Grades 1-2 (Daily Problem Solving Series) The 44 gigantic
(11" x 17"), full-page math problems contained
in this volume are organized around a spring theme, which
includes flowers, rain, kites, tadpole, bees, and more.
These are fantastic books that encourage students to use
problem solving strategies. I feel it is important to
include at least one problem solving opportunity per day
in your classroom. These are great problems that you can
have your students complete independently or as a group
and then discuss as a group how your students arrived at
their answer. Three great reads |
Snapshots:
Literacy Minilessons Up Close Three great reads |
Celebrate
Christmas Around the World December 2002 Book of The Month! |
Thanksgiving
Thematic Unit This is a good resource to use with some of your favorite November reads; Turkey for Thanksgiving, Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner, Thanksgiving at the Tappletons Try our Thanksgiving Site For More Resources Three great reads for November!
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Making
Your Word Wall More Interactive
Word Walls are seen in most k-3 classrooms. If you have a word wall in your classroom, you want to ensure that your students are improving their reading, writing, vocabulary, and spelling skills because of it. This book will help you provide fun ways for students to interact with words and build strong literacy skills, using any word wall. This 96 page resource contains over 60 activities for you to use and they are organized by whole-class, small-group, and independent study to offer more planning flexibility. The activities in this book are easy to use! Try our Working With Words Site For More Resources!!!! Three great reads for October!
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If
You Take a Mouse to School Wow, follow the link
below for some free printables to match this book. |
First
Day Jitters Here is a favorite book about how teachers get nervous too on the first day. This makes a great gift for a new teacher! Also a good first week read! Enjoy this! |
What
Are the Other Kids Doing While You Teach Small Groups?
Here is
another one of those books that all k-3 teachers, just
must have! Try our Working With Words Site For More Resources!!!!More center Ideas
A Back To School Book For Your Class You have to
read this book. It is one of my favorites and great |
Month-By-Month
Phonics For Second Grade This is a must have for your back
to school supply list. I used book and it's lessons all
the time. It will never Try our Working With Words Site For More Resources!!!!
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Tar
Beach : C (Dragonfly Books) Get your class ready for the summer with this multicultural book! Tar Beach is a wonderful, encouraging book. Faith Ringgold shows children and adults that it is okay to daydream and gives everyone a chance to use their imaginations! Click to view a lessonThird Grade LessonFirst Second Grade LessonMake a Tar Beach QuiltSee more ideas for this book at The beach Unit Page |
Read
It! Draw It! Solve It! : Grade 2 These Read It! Draw It! Solve It! Books are wonderful. They contain 180 problems, one for each day of the school year. This program was created to increase young children's understanding of mathematical concepts through direct visual involvement. Each problem requires the students to demonstrate their understanding of the concept by creating a drawing before providing the answer. Each specific book for the specific grade level is at the grade levels reading ability. The students use their reading and problem solving skills to solve math problems! Read It! Draw It! Solve It! : Problem Solving With Animal Themes Grade KRead It! Draw It! Solve It! - Grade 1 : Problem Solving for Primary GradesRead It! Draw It! Solve It! : Grade 1 : Problem Solving With Animal ThemesRead It! Draw It! Solve It! : Grade 2Read It! Draw It! Solve It! : Grade 3 |
March is Reading Month... What a fun way to celebrate, add these centers to your classroom. For related resources, try the links below. Reading ComprehensionBooks by LevelReading RugDr. Seuss
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Poem
of the Week (Grades K-2) One of the books I will read to my class during the first week is... Nobody's
Mother Is in Second Grade |
Best
Ever Back-To-School Activities Want some Free back to school ideas and ready to use materials? Click Here! Need to view some other Back to School Resource Books? Click Here! One of the books I will read to my class during the first week is... Thank
You, Mr. Falker *A great first day read! *A must read for all teachers! Patricia Polacco bases this story on her own experiences as a child. She uses the story in this beautiful book to thank her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker. In the book, Tricia, who has a yearning to learn to read because of her family's love of learning, discovers that letters in books seem to be all just wiggling shapes. As Tricia moves through school, students call her dumb. She sadly begins to except their teasing and begins to believe she truly is dumb; until, Fifth Grade when she is blessed with an outstanding teacher, Mr. Falker. Every classroom should not only have this book, it should be read aloud. Without saying the word "dyslexia" or preaching, Polacco has produced a wonderfully compassionate story. Some
Helpful Resources That Go With This Great Book |
The
First Days of School : How to Be an Effective Teacher This books tell you what a successful teacher looks like, how to have positive expectations about student success, some awesome classroom management techniques, how to design lessons to foster student mastery, and how important it is for the teacher to always be a student. Some of the many topics covered include; What you Should Understand Before You Sign That Contract, How to Increase Positive Student Behavior, How to Introduce Yourself to Your Class, How to Maintain an Effective Record Book, How to Get Students to Work Cooperatively, and How to Achieve Happiness and Success as a Teacher. These are just a few of the many things covered in the book. The neat thing about this book is that you can skip over topics as you wish and read the book like an automobile owner's manual. Just turn to the right section if something isn't working right in your classroom. No need to read the 338 page book unless you wish. I think the most important thing to learn from this book is that the first week of school sets the tone for the rest of the year. This book will help you set that tone in your classroom. You classroom will be a warm, caring, efficient, academically structured space with the help of this book. Want some Free back to school ideas and ready to use materials? Click Here! One of the books I will read to my class on the first day is... Lilly's
Purple Plastic Purse This is a great read for the first day of school. Students can connect to Lilly. They understand her need for attention and I am sure most students have misbehaved to get that attention. This will start a good discussion about what Lilly could of done instead of being disruptive, what good behavior looks like, and why teachers sometimes have to take things away from students. Also, after Lilly sneaks the teacher the note and Mr. Slinger gives Lilly the purse back, this is a good time to make predictions about what might happen. Furthermore, how would your students deal with the situation Lilly has gotten herself into with this nasty note she wrote. Lots of teaching moments with this book. |
Mosaic
of Thought : Teaching Comprehension in a Reader's
Workshop &
Strategies
That Work : Teaching Comprehension to Enhance
Understanding These books go together like peas and carrots! Ok, if you pick two books to read this summer - READ THESE! I first read, Mosaic of Thought in a Literature Circle and I was impressed with the book and began using the terms with my students. Mosaic stresses that we need to teach children what good readers do when they read. Good readers make connections with the text. They make text to text connections, text to self connections, and text to world connections. Teachers need to model the connections they make while they read and encourage their students to do the same. This book really made me think about how I read and what I DO while I read. Mosaic of Thought redefines teaching reading comprehension in a workshop approach. Teaching comprehension as a strategic process enables readers to make connections and move beyond literal recall. This book will get you excited about teaching reading. After reading Mosaic, I suggest you read Strategies That Work. FREE Comprehension Printables, Lessons, and much more - CLICK HERE! |
Teaching
With Love and Logic : Taking Control of the Classroom This is a must have for new teachers and a great read for older teachers that want to change their behavior management techniques. Don't have time to read the book. Listen to it on your way to work. Click here to learn about the tapes!Frequently Asked Questions about Love and LogicHow to Create a Love and Logic ClassroomTurn Your Words into Gold The Art of Enforceable Statements for the SchoolThe One Year PlanLove and Logic Generic ConsequencesMisbehavior Cycle FlierMany Love and Logic Articles |
Math
By All Means: Multiplication, Grade 3 Marilyn Burns has some really great books. This book in particular is one of my favorites. It is great to have around when you start to teach multiplication. Also it is extremely helpful for students who are struggling with multiplication. The hands-on lessons have helped my student develop an understanding of the concept of multiplication. The students love the lessons and they are fun and easy to teach. Two of the activities are used in my classroom on a regular basis. In fact, The Circle and Stars game is a hit with my students. This is a must have book when teaching multiplication! Looking for other great resources that are related to this book? Try the The Ultimate Multiplication ResourceCatchy Tunes that Make Multiplication EasyFree Multiplication Work SheetsMultiplication Online Games Teach DivisionOther Multiplication Teaching Products |
Teaching
Kids With Learning Difficulties in the Regular Classroom
: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use This book is great for the General classroom. It has many ready to use materials; such as, charts, story webs, and much more. Also, the author offers an abundance of ideas to help the regular education teacher work with the Learning Disabled student in their classroom. Looking for other great resources that are related to this book? Try the The Special Education PageTeaching LD Students Chat BoardLD in DepthThe Resource Room |
Making
Words : Multilevel, Hands-On Developmentally Appropriate
Spelling and Phonics Activities Word Building was introduced to me about three years ago. I have been teaching for two years now and have used word building as a part of my reading program. I am pleased with the progress that my 2-3 graders make with this program. They understand how spelling and reading are related. Also it teaches them that two or three letters when put together make one sound. I purchased this book in September. I have been very happy with it. If you are unfamiliar with this method, this book is all you need. At the start of the book it shows you step by step how to set up word building in your classroom. Pictures are included. You will find over 150 word building lessons. Letter tiles for you to copy, cut, and laminate are included. I now feel that word building should be a part of every k-3 reading program. Looking for other great reading resources to use in your classroom? Try the Reading Rug! Free Making Words LessonMaking Words ArticleAnother Lesson Working with Words - Includes PicturesMaking Words from "Hibernate"More Making Words w/ PicturesMaking Words with a Twist Making Words from "Farmers"Boggle Junior LettersFind Words in a Word here See a lesson I have tried from this book and how I set up word building in my classroom (pictures included). - Coming soon |
Complete
Reading Disabilities Handbook : Ready-To-Use Techniques
for Teaching Reading Disabled Students *This is a large book filled with resources galore for all reading teachers! Each of the chapters are filled with wonderful ready to use assessments and remediations. Some of my favorite goodies in the book include; Emergent Literacy Behavioral Checklist, Primary Checklist For Teacher Observation of a Child's Reading Skills, the explanation of Running Records, the Graded Word Lists, the tests for Assessing Sight-Word Recognition in Context, and the games included for teaching different reading skills. Those are just a few of the goodies found in the pages of this book. I use a variety of the many tests in this book as a pre-assessment at the start of the year and a post assessment at the end of the year. Many General Education Teachers have borrowed this book from me and then later bought their own. This is awesome for tracking every students progress in reading. If you teach reading, you need this book! Looking for other great reading resources to use in your classroom? Try the Reading Rug! |
Super
Graphs, Venns, & Glyphs : Hundreds of Great Data
Collecting Activities to Build Real-Life Math Skills *Grades 1-4 -Make data collection fun for your students with clothespin and bottle graphs, child-size Venn diagrams, and umbrella and lunchbox glyphs! This book is jam-packed with practical tips for introducing and teaching concepts (including actual teacher-student exchanges) and hundreds of activity ideas that connect math to reading, social studies, science, and other subjects. - 120 pages See an idea that I have tried from this book here - HERE! Here are some links to some glyphs I have found online! Tooth GlyphPenguin Glyph Scarecrow glyph Mitten GlyphValentine's Glyph Boat GlyphGingerbread Man Glyph |
Reading
Reflex - Click to learn more *If you are teaching reading to K-1 readers, or if you teach struggling K-4 readers, you must have this book... I REPEAT - MUST!!!! I just started using this book this year as a component of my reading program. I am amazed at all my K-1 students are learning. They are students with learning disabilities and they are reading at an average or an above average reading level. Also, this has been very helpful to my 2-3 students who are struggling with reading. I highly recommend this book for you to read and suggest to your parents. I have been very pleased with the hands-on lessons contained in the book. You will be happy with the price too! *Click here for more great ideas about reading! Talk about Phongraphics and Reading Reflex with other teachers and parents! Other Products from Read America - I bought the cardstock manipulatives (set of 5) and had them laminated. I then placed each set/level in a organizer (found at Walmart in hardware center - has small drawers). This makes the cards very easy to use with my reading groups! |
The
Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything October *A Fun Halloween Read! *See Ideas to Go Along With This Book! Your students will love this book!!! They love to follow the little old lady on her trip in the woods. They will enjoy acting along with the book as you read. |
Phonemic
Awareness Activities for Early Reading Success SEPTEMBER *Great for reading fun in k-2! *Awesome Activities! A wonderful book filled with fun activities for the K-2 student. Activities in the book include; phoneme discrimination, rhyme and alliteration, oddity task, oral blending, oral segmentation, phonemic manipulation, and linking sound to spelling. What I like best about the book is that each activity offers a suggestion box with ideas to help children who are having difficulty with the activity. Also, the activities are easy to do, do not take much time, and lots of preparation is not needed. I often hear my students say, can we play Higglety, Pigglety, Pop (a game from the book). This is a great book to use with any reading program. |
Thank
You, Mr. Falker AUGUST *A great first day read! *A must read for all teachers! Patricia Polacco bases this story on her own experiences as a child. She uses the story in this beautiful book to thank her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker. In the book, Tricia, who has a yearning to learn to read because of her family's love of learning, discovers that letters in books seem to be all just wiggling shapes. As Tricia moves through school, students call her dumb. She sadly begins to except their teasing and begins to believe she truly is dumb; until, Fifth Grade when she is blessed with an outstanding teacher, Mr. Falker. Every classroom should not only have this book, it should be read aloud. Without saying the word "dyslexia" or preaching, Polacco has produced a wonderfully compassionate story. |
Want More Great Books? Then Click Here!