Amazing Kids Magazine
mag.amazing-kids.org
This is just about the coolest website for kids I've ever seen! It is an online magazine that is written by kids. There are fiction offerings including poetry and short stories, and nonfiction choices including stories, interviews, and book reviews. They have monthly contests that kids can send in submissions for, with the opportunity to have their work featured in the online magazine. Amazing Kids Magazine provides great opportunities for students to read and write. Having the chance to read pieces written by other kids can be extremely empowering for students and give them the motivation to do some writing of their own. In addition to the online publication, they also have a pen pal program that students can become a part of. The magazine itself is free, but there is a $10 per student cost for the pen pal program (teachers and groups of 15 or more get 50% off). I can't wait to introduce my students to this e-mag and hopefully motivate them to submit some stories of their own!
One More Story
www.onemorestory.com
This website would be great to use in the place of a traditional listening center. It offers books from more than a dozen different publishing companies. The books that they choose to be on their website are chosen mainly for the artistic and literary merit. Additionally, they aim to offer books that reflect the age, gender, and diversity of their readers.The books are intentionally arranged randomly as opposed to being arranged by level. Students can browse by looking at the cover of the books or search for specific books by using the browsing option. Once a book is selected, there are two options for reading. Students may select a version with music, sound effects, and the text read aloud to them, or they may choose the "I Can Read It" mode. Both options display the text below the illustrations. If a student elects to read the story himself and struggles with a word, he can click on the word and it will be read aloud to him. This would be particularly beneficial to those students who are on the cusp of reading some more challenging books but struggle with the occasional word; it still allows them to read the book independently and can help to build their confidence.
The cost of a school-wide subscription is $1.30 per student with a 100 student minimum. This allows for multiple students to work off of a single subscription, and there is no limit to the number of books that can be read. There is a home subscription option available. This option provides access for one reader at a time, but they still have access to an unlimited number of books. There are 3, 6, and 12 month options available, with the 3 month option costing $15.99. Although this would not be a feasible option for most of our students on a yearly basis, it would be great as a summer reading option for those who are able to take advantage of it.
We Give Books
www.wegivebooks.org
This free website offers a large number of authentic texts, both narrative and informational. There are a variety of genres, and there are books for all elementary aged students. You can search for specific books, or filter the list of available list by age range, genre, or author. When you choose a book, the site provides you with a preview "teaser" of the text, as well as information about the author and other books available by the author on the site. The books can be viewed in full screen mode and would be great for whole class read alouds on a Smart Board, or to be used by individual students on classroom computers.
Mirror Mirror
Written by Marilyn Singer
2010
Mirror Mirror is a collection of reversible poems, all based on popular fairy tales. The text is printed in lines such that when they are reversed and read from bottom to top, they tell a very different story. The text of the two different versions of the poem are printed in different colors. Each poem is accompanied by an illustration that is literally split down the middle, just as the two corresponding poems are. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and they provide the reader with additional details and understanding. This book would be a great way to talk about language and the importance of word order. By using the same words and simply changing the order in which they're presented, an entirely different story is presented.
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together
Written by Mary Ann Hoberman
2004
This book features eight short fairy tale poems, plus an introductory and ending poem, all written for two voices. Some of the poems are intended for one speaker to speak at a time, while others also have portions to be read by both speakers in unison. The poems are all familiar and have colorful (and somewhat comical) illustrations to accompany them. These would provide an excellent opportunity for students to be creative and dramatic in their reading, and to make it their own. A great discussion and lesson about character and point of view could begin with this book.
bow wow meow meow: it's rhyming cats and dogs
Written by Douglas Florian
2003
All of the poems in this book are about cats and dogs. Each poem is paired with an illustration that closely aligns with the text. In some cases, certain words are bold, italicized, or hyphenated to add emphasis and feeling the the poem. A few of the poems are written in obscure shapes such as swirls or question marks, as opposed to the traditional left to right, top to bottom. When this is done, it directly correlates to what is being expressed through the text. This book of poems would be a great introduction to poetry for younger students because of the rhyming pattern that is present in each one. The subject matter is also one that would appeal to students of various ages. There is some subtle humor that would be appreciated by upper elementary students as well, that may be over the heads of some of the younger students.
Seedfolks
Written by Paul Fleischman
2004
What starts out as an empty, trash-filled lot, turns into a beautiful community garden shared by people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. We get a glimpse inside the life of each character just once, but find ourselves learning more and more about them through the eyes of others. The book teaches us that things are not always what they seem, and that we should be careful before making judgements.
This novel could be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. It could be utilized for a unit on culture or diversity. It could even be used as a concept idea for an outdoor learning project, where different classes or grade levels could each have their own section in a school garden.
