Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? 

by Bill Martin Jr. , Eric Carle (Illustrator)

Henry Holt and Co., 2006

Summary:Using repetitive patterns, endangered animals are asked which animal they saw, a different animal for each page.  

Lesson:  My primary purpose for reading this book was as a springboard into a lesson teaching students where to find the non-fiction books in the library.  First we talked about the different  between the wild and domestic animals, then about their placement in the library.  Since this book features endangered animals, it was an opportunity to teach the animal names, in both English and Spanish.  We also talked listed which animals would:  run, swim, or fly?

Level: PreK - 2nd

Joseph had a Little Overcoat

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat 

by Simms Taback

Penguin, 2000 Caldecott

Summary:  In this cut-out book, Joseph begins the story wearing a colorful overcoat.  As it becomes worn, with each page, he recuts the fabric to create a new, smaller garment.  From a vest to a scarf, he continues with each page until there is only enough fabric to cover a button. 

Lesson:  As part of Earth Day, we talk to the students about "Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle".  This is a great story to model how to reuse materials.  Instead of throwing away something when we are finished with it, we can find new uses.  A crafty follow-up would be to have them turn items into new products.  For example, with some string and the bottom half of a plastic bottle, they can make bird feeders.  Old cans can be decorated and turned into pencil holders.  Scrapped paper can be decorated into bookmarks.  Let your imagination sore!

Level:  K-2nd

Dear Children of the Earth

Dear Children of the Earth:  A Letter from Home
by Schim Schimmel , Schim Schimmel (Illustrator)

Cooper Square, 1994

Summary:  Mother Earth writes a letter to humans, asking them to care for her and the animals that live on her.  Stunning pictures on each page. 

Lesson:  I read this on Earth Day to talk about how we can help to save the environment.  The students were captivated by the pictures and stayed focus.  Afterwards, we discussed things they could do at school and home to help the environment. Is also a good text for teaching letter writing organization. 

Level:  Kinder - 5th grade