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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

#SOL15: My True North is Now



I.

Outside, the trees we planted three years ago are dying. I've faithfully watered them and used soaker hoses throughout the summer.  But September has been consistently hot and I have lost my way and find myself here.

Now.

Curling brown-edged leaves fill two trees and the fir trees have brown needles. The hydrangea are drooping and even the wild mint is less green.The gardens and trees I usually dote on are no longer a priority.  They aren't even a passing notice most days.

Not now.

II.

My husband has advanced-stage lung cancer that has spread to his spine.  Six weeks ago, none of this was known. He will take an MRI this week to see if the cancer has spread to his brain.

There, I've written it.

              And the urge to erase it is so strong.

But even if I erase it, it will still remain true.
Now is not the time for deception.


III.

As if the cancer was not bad enough, we learned yesterday that a staph infection, most likely contracted during the surgery to put in a port to facilitate chemotherapy treatments is running through Rob's blood. Early Friday morning found two police officers, three volunteer ambulance corp members, and two EMTs in our living room.  This was the day Rob was to take his first chemo treatment. Instead, I heard Rob calling through very labored breathing, Call 911.  And I did. All this before a single cup of tea could be brewed.

At the hospital we were told he likely had pneumonia, although the ER doctor had said, "I wouldn't make much of that bit of fluid in his right lung." Although he had no temperature at home, by 10 a.m. it had spiked to nearly 103 degrees. Covered from toes to chin with multiple blankets, he shivered so that the narrow bed beneath him rocked, defying the locked wheels.

And so he was once again admitted to the hospital.

The next morning we were told by the pulmonary specialist that Rob did not have pneumonia. This was followed by another doctor specializing in infectious diseases of the blood who told us there might be bacteria in Rob's blood and we would have to wait until the cultures taken on Friday could be read.

48 hours.

On Sunday afternoon, we were told there was nothing showing up in Rob's blood, and we all began to feel a bit hopeful that the chemo could be rescheduled. The oncologist made adjustments and had everything reset for today, but by Monday--late morning, Rob was told there was bacteria in his blood and that he has a staph infection.

The cancer treatment, so very necessary, will likely be delayed another month as he sits in a hospital with multiple IV lines feeding chemicals into his body to fight an infection.

Meanwhile, the CT scan he had on Friday shows that the lung tumor has grown larger in the space of 4 weeks.

IV

5 weeks ago we were planning a trip to Maine--a trip to close out the summer. Rob, Dev and I on one of our famous road trips we so love. Then the phone call came--before 8 a.m. and so much has changed.

Know that this is the stuff of nightmares and so perhaps it is not so odd that most nights I wake on the hour pulling myself from the same terrible dream of being tracked by a serial killer at night who flashes knives and slashes at my arms and abdomen; thighs and neck--never too deeply.

And I feel the sting and burn--the slow trickle of blood.

And even when I tell myself--You are dreaming--I wake only to fall back into the same scene over and over again.

This is the type of dream that follows me through the early morning as I make my way into a new day.


V.

Earlier today Rob looked at me as I sat next to his hospital bed and said, "We had to overcome a lot to be together.  Do you remember?"  

We talked about those memories for a bit, pulling forth a few stories from decades ago and then he said, "This is just debris in the road we need to clear. We will do this."

VI.

And we will.


VII.

On Wednesday I'll be shaving Rob's head.  The nurses look a bit askance as they hear us talking.

The day before we got the call, Rob had 8 inches of hair cut off and mailed it as he always does to Locks of Love. Now there is a stubby pony tale of chestnut hair that he says is difficult to lie on.  So it will be coming off.

A close buzz, like my Da wore in the 60s. I've never cut his hair.

Our son calls his Da, the Hippie. He says this with such affection. And I want you to know this: that in all of this terror, there is affection and love and trust and a trueness I have never named before. There is goodness here.

VIII.

On the way home from the hospital last night, I tell Dev, "We are claiming that hospital room as a place of love." 

Each day it looks less and less sterile. More and more lived in.

Living is a a minute-to-minute affair.  
There is no tomorrow.
There is now--that is my true North.


IX.

And the one simple truth I hold close is that in this often wild ride with Rob, I have never loved my husband more.



Friday, September 18, 2015

Text Sets in Grade 2: Fables - 9 Read Aloud & 99 Guided & Independent Reading Books

from Jerry Pinkney's The Lion and the Mouse
Text Set: Topic - Fables

All of the read alouds are fables. Joseph Bruchac's Turtle's Race with Beaver is a Seneca tale based on the Aesop fable, Tortoise and the Hare (Jerry Pinkney text). So too is Pat Mora's The Race of Toad and Deer, a Mayan fable. The morals of each fable are different though. Arnold Lobel tells 20 original fables in his text, each with an accompanying illustration. Pinkney also retells and illustrates The Grasshopper and the Ants and The Lion & the Mouse.
  
Read Aloud
Bruchac, Joseph (Abenaki). (2003). Turtle’s Race with Beaver. Illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. New York: Dial. (Lexile N/A)
Lobel, Arnold. (1983). Fables. New York: HarperCollins. (540 L)
Mora, Pat.  (2001). The Race of Toad and Deer. Illustrated by Domi. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books. (Lexile N/A)
The Race of Toad and Deer

Mora, Pat.  (2001). La Carrera del Sapo y el Venado. Illustrated by Domi. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books. (Lexile N/A)
Pinkney, Jerry. (2015). The Grasshopper & the Ants.  New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Pinkney, Jerry. (2013). The Tortoise & the Hare. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Pinkney, Jerry. (2009). The Lion & the Mouse. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. (Caldecott Medal)
Pinkney, Jerry. (2000). Aesop’s Fables. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (760L)
Pinkney, Jerry. (2000). Fabulas de Esopo. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (760L)


Guided Reading and Independent/Buddy Reading (Levels D - X)


Levels D - H 

  1. Dufresne, Michele. The Grasshopper and the AntIllustrated by Michael Chesworth. Pioneer Valley Books. (GR Level: D/6)
  2. Mattison, Ruth. The Country Mouse and a Town Mouse. Illustrated by Max Stasiuk. Pioneer Valley Books. (GR Level: E/7)
  3. Dufresne, Michele. The Tortoise and the Hare. Illustrated by Ann Caranci. Pioneer Valley Books. (GR Level: E/8)
  4. Dufresne, Michele. The Lion and the MouseIllustrated by Max Stasiuk. Pioneer Valley Books. (GR Level: F/10)
  5. Dufresne, Michele. The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Illustrated by Tracy La Rue Hohn. Pioneer Valley Books. (GR Level: G/11)
  6. Dufresne, Michele. The Goose and the Golden EggIllustrated by Michelle Morse. Pioneer Valley Books. (GR Level: G/12)
  7. Arnold, Tedd.  Green Wilma. New York: Scholastic. (600L, GR Level: H/14)
  8. Dufresne, Michele. The Milkmaid and Her Pail. Illustrated by Farida Zaman. Pioneer Valley Books. (GR Level: H/13)
  9. Helmer, Ingrid. The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Illustrated by Natalia Vasquez. New York: Scholastic. (GR Level H/14)

Level I

  1. Blair, Eric. (2012). The Boy Who Cried Wolf: A Retelling of Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Dianne Silverman. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (360L, GR Level I)
  2. Blair, Eric. (2006). El Pastorcito Mentiroso: A Retelling  of Aesop’s Fable/Versión de la fábula de Esopo. Illustrated by Dianne Silverman. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (410L, GR Level I)
  3. Blair, Eric. (2012). Belling the Cat: A Retelling of Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Dianne Silverman. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (470L, GR Level I))
  4. Blair, Eric. (2012). The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: : A Retelling of Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Dianne Silverman. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (400L, GR Level I))
  5. Blair, Eric. (2006). El raton de campo y el raton de ciudad: Versión de la fábula de EsopoIllustrated by Dianne Silverman. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (490L, GR Level I))
  6. Blair, Eric. (2012).  The Donkey in the Lion's Skin: A Retelling of Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Dianne Silverman. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (370L, GR Level I))
  7. Blair, Eric. (2006). El cuervo y la jarra: Versión de la fábula de Esopo. Illustrated by Dianne Silverman. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (400L, GR Level: I)
  8. Forest, Heather. (2013). The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind: An Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Susan Gaber. Atlanta, GA: August House.  (460L, GR Level I)
  9. Guillain, Charlotte. (2013). The Kitten Who Cried Dog. Illustrated by Dawn Beacon. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (630L, GR Level: I)
  10. Lionni, Leo. (1997). A Color of His Own. New York: Dragonfly Books. (640L, GR Level: I/16)
  11. White, Mark. (2012). The Ant and the Grasshopper: A Retelling of Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Sara Rojo Pérez. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (370L, GR Level I))
  12. White, Mark. (2006). La cigarra y la hormiga: Versión de la fábula de Esopo. Illustrated by Sara Rojo Pérez. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (380L, GR Level I)
  13. White, Mark. (2012). The Lion and the Mouse: A Retelling of Aesop's Fable.  Illustrated by Sara Rojo Pérez. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (380L, GR Level I)

  14. White, Mark. (2012). The Fox and the Grapes: A Retelling of Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Sara Rojo Pérez. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (420L, GR Level I)
  15. White, Mark. (2012). The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: A Retelling of Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Sara Rojo Pérez. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (460L, GR Level I)
  16. Trussell- Cullen, Alan. (2012). The Crow and the Rain Barrel. Los Angeles, CA: Hameray Publishing Group. (GR Level I/16)
from You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together.

Level J
  1. Charles, Faustin. (2010). The Greedy Crocodile. Illustrated by Michael Terry. Bloomsbury Publishing. (580L, GR Level: J)
  2. Hoberman, Mary Ann. (2013). You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together. Illustrated by Michael Emberley.  New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. (GR Level: J)
  3. Lionni, Leo. (1993). A Busy Year. New York: Scholastic. (370L, GR Level: J/16)
  4. Ross, Tony. (1992). The Boy Who Cried Wolf. New York: Puffin Books. (GR Level: J)
  5. Smith, Annette. (2006). The Greedy Dog and the Bone. Rigby. (400L, GR Level: J/17)
  6. Wallner, John. City Mouse–Country Mouse and Two More Mouse Tales from Aesop. New York: Scholastic.  (500L, GR Level: J/17)


Level K
  1. Andreae, Giles. (2004). Leo, the Lovable Lion. Illustrated by David Wojtowycz. New York: Scholastic. (GR Level: K)
  2. Berendes, Mary. (2011). The Boy Who Cried Wolf North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: K)
  3. Berendes, Mary. (2011). The Fox and the Grapes. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: K)
  4. Cleveland, Rob. (2006). The Little Red Hen: An Old Fable. Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire Atlanta, GA: August House.  (740L, GR Level K)
  5. Forest, Heather. (2013). The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind: An Aesop's Fable. Illustrated by Susan Gaber. Atlanta, GA: August House.  (510L, GR Level I)
  6. Giles, Jenny. (1998). The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Illustrated by Naomi C. Lewis. Rigby. (350L, GR Level: K)
  7. Giles, Jenny. (1998). The Sly Fox and the Red HenIllustrated by Isabel Lowe. Rigby. (350L, GR Level: K)
  8. Giles, Jenny. (1998). The Hare and the Tortoise. Illustrated by Naomi C. Lewis. Rigby. (350L, GR Level: K)
  9. Giles, Jenny. (1998). Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Illustrated by Naomi C. Lewis. Rigby. (350L, GR Level K/19-20)
  10. Lionni, Leo. (2010). Tille and the Wall. New York: Dragonfly Books. (490L, GR Level: K/18)
  11. Piumini, Roberto. (2011). The Raven and the Fox. Illustrated by Raffaella Bolaffio. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.  (680L, GR Level: K)
  12. Piumini, Roberto. (2011). The Tortoise and the Hare. Illustrated by Barbara Nascimbeni. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.  (610L. GR Level: K)
  13. Trussell- Cullen, Alan. (2012). The Greedy Dog and the Very Big BoneIllustrated by Steven Pileggi. Los Angeles, CA: Hameray Publishing Group. (GR Level: K)
  14. Watts, Bernadette. (2007). The Lion and the Mouse. New York: North-South Books. (360L, GR Level: K 16-18)
  15. White, Mark. (2006). El leon y el raton: Versión de la fábula de Esopo. Illustrated by Sara Rojo Pérez. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. (390L, GR Level: K)
Level L

  1. Buckley, Richard. (2012). The Greedy Python. Illustrated by Eric Carle. New York: Simon Spotlight. (GR Level: L/20)
  2. Giles, Jenny. (2000). The Wind and the Sun: An Aesop FableIllustrated by Pat Reynolds. Rigby. (GR Level L/27)
  3. Lionni, Leo. (1994). Cornelius. New York: Dragonfly Books. (270L, GR Level: L/20 )
  4. Lionni, Leo. (2000). Tico and the Golden Wings. New York: Dragonfly Books. (270L, GR Level: L/20
  5. Lionni, Leo. (1973). Swimmy. New York: Dragonfly Books. (620L, GR Level: L/20)
  6. Lionni, Leo. (1974). Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. New York: Dragonfly Books.  (490L, GR Level: L/20)
  7. Lionni, Leo. (1974). Fish Is Fish. New York: Dragonfly Books. (690L, GR Level: L/20)
  8. Lionni, Leo. (1977). A Flea Story. New York: Knopf Books. (310L, GR Level: L/20) Video of story
  9. Lionni, Leo. (1992).  Mr. McMouse. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. (390L, GR Level: L/20)
  10. Mattison, Ruth. The Pigeons and the Crow: An Indian Folk Tale. Illustrated by Max Stasiuk. Pioneer Valley Books. (L/22)
  11. Paxton, Tom. (1997). The Ant and the Grasshopper. Celebration Press. (GR Level L/24)
  12. Reynolds, Peter H. (2003). The Dot. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. (500L, GR Level: L/20)
  13. Tang Greg. (2004). Math Fables: Lessons that Count. Illustrated by Heather Cahoon. New York: Scholastic. (GR Level: L/20)
from Graham Percy's The Tortoise and the Hare
Level M
  1. Berendes, Mary. (2011). The Maid and the Milk Pail.  North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level, M)
  2. Berendes, Mary. (2011). The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: M)
  3. Brett, Jan. (2003). Town Mouse, Country Mouse. New York: Puffin. (530L, GR Level: M/24)
  4. Buehner, Caorlyn. (2000). I Did It, I'm Sorry. Illustrated by Mark Buehner. New York: Puffin Books. (460L, GR Level: M/20-24)
  5. Lionni, Leo. (1973). Frederick. New York: Dragonfly (500L  GR: Level M)
  6. McElligott, Matthew. (2012).  The Lion's Share. New York: Walker Childrens. (550L, GR Level: M/20-24)
  7. Muth, John J.  (2002). The Three Questions: Based on a Story by Leo Tolstoy. New York: Scholastic. (410L, GR Level: M/24)
  8. Percy, Graham. (2010). The Ant and the GrasshopperNorth Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: M)
  9. Percy, Graham. (2010). The Fox and the Crow. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: M)
  10. Percy, Graham. (2010). The Fox and the Stork. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: M)
  11. Percy, Graham. (2010). The Lion and the Mouse. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: M)
  12. Add caption
  13. Percy, Graham. (2010). The Tortoise and the Hare. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level M)
  14. Percy, Graham. (2010). The Mice in Council. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: M)
  15. Reynolds, Peter H. (2004). Ish. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. (440L, GR Level: M)
  16. Tingle, Tim. (2013). When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Tale from the Choctaw Nation. Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Atlanta, GA: August House. (550L, GR Level: M) 
  17. Trussell- Cullen, Alan. (2012). The Lion and the Mouse. Illustrated by Steven Pileggi. Los Angeles, CA: Hameray Publishing Group. (GR Level: M)
from The Foolish Tortoise
Level N
  1. Buckley, Richard. (2015). The Foolish Tortoise. Illustrated by Eric Carle. New York: Simon Spotlight. (610L, GR Level: N/30)
  2. Hamilton, Martha & Mitch Weiss. (2015). Forty Fun Fables: Tales that Trick, Tickle and Teach. Atlanta, GA: August House. (GR Level: N)
  3. Lionni, Leo. (2010). Six Crows. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. (480L, GR Level: N/30)
  4. Medearis, Angela Shelf. (2000). Seven Spools of Thread. Illustrated by Daniel Minter. New York: Scholastic. (430L, GR Level: N/30)
  5. Percy, Graham. (2010). The City Mouse and the Country Mouse. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: N/30)
  6. Percy, Graham. (2010). The Heron and the Fish. North Mankato, MN: Child's World. (GR Level: N/30)
  7. Steig, William. (2010). Doctor De Soto. New York: Square Fish. (560L, GR Level: N)

Level O
  1. MacDonald, Margaret Read. (2005). Five-Minute Tales. Atlanta, GA: August House. (600L, GR Level: O)
  2. MacDonald, Margaret Read. (2005). Three-Minute Tales. Atlanta, GA: August House. (590L, GR Level: O)
  3. Myers, Walter Dean. (1997). The Story of the Three Kingdoms. Illustrated by Ashley Bryan. New York: HarperCollins. (570L, GR Level: O/34-38)
Level P
  1. Lionni, Leo. (1996). It's Mine. New York: Dragonfly Books. (470L, GR: Level P)
  2. Lionni, Leo. (1995). Matthew's Dream. New York: Dragonfly Books.  (560L, GR Level: P)
Levels Q -X
  1. Osei, Leah. (2013).  The Boy Who Cried Wolf and Other Aesop Fables.  Teacher Created Materials. (750L, GR Level Q)
  2. Hamilton, Martha. (2006). Through the Grapevine: World Tales Kids Can Read & Tell. Illustrated by Mitch Weiss.  Atlanta, GA: August House.  (880L, GR Level R)
  3. McGovern. Ann. (2013). Aesop's Fables. Illustrated by Ricardo Tercio. New York: Scholastic. (780L, GR Level: T/50)
  4. Sherman, Joseph. (2005). Rachel The Clever and Other Jewish Folktales. Illustrated by Jeanne Seagle. Atlanta, GA: August House. (690L, GR Level: W)
  5. Stevens, Janet. (1985). The Tortoise and the Hare: An Aesop Fable. New York: Holiday House.  (540L, GR Level :X)
No Guided Reading Level
  1. Carle, Eric. (2008). The Rabbit and the Turtle: Aesop's Fables Retold and Illustrated by Eric Carle. New York: Orchard Books. (650L)
  2. Dan, Lari. (2013). The Hungry Wolf: A Story from North America. Illustrated by Melanie Williamson. Cambridge MA: Barefoot Books. (630L)
  3. Dan, Lari. (2012). Never Trust a Tiger: A Story from Korea. Illustrated by Melanie Williamson. Cambridge MA: Barefoot Books. (510L)
  4. Hartman, Bob. (2004). The Wolf Who Cried Boy. Illustrated by Tim Raglin. New York: Puffin Books. (640L)
  5. Husain, Shahrukh. (2011).  The Wise Fool: Fables from the Islamic World. Illustrated by Micha Archer. Cambridge, MA: Barefoot Books. (780L)
  6. Nunes, Shiho S. (2013). Chinese Fables: The Dragon Slayer and Other Timeless Tales of Wisdom. Illustrated by Lak-Khee Tay-Audouard.  Boston, MA: Tuttle Publishing. (Aesop Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature, 2014)
  7. Scieszka, Jon. (2003). Squids Will be Squids : Fresh Morals, Beastly Fables.  Illustrated by Lane Smith. New York: Puffin Books. (650L)









Saturday, September 12, 2015

Teaching With Text Sets in Grade 4: Space the Final Frontier

Text Set 1: Exploring the Universe - From Stardust

from How to Make a Planet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Earth.
Shared Reading

1. Forbes, Scott. (2014). How to Make a Planet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Earth. Illustrated by Jean Camden. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press. (1070L)



2. Hodgkins, Fran. (2014). The Secret Galaxy. Photographs by Mike Taylor. Thomaston, ME: Tilbury House.

3. Katrien. (4.49.4009).  Learn’d Astronomer. Video. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=namVUer-bk8.  


from You Are Stardust

4. Kelsey, Elin. (2012). You Are Stardust. Illustrated by Soyeon Kim.  Toronto, ON: Owl Kids Books. (770L)



6. Schlickenmeyer, Max. (3.2.2012). The Most Astounding Fact - Neil deGrasse Tyson. Video. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D05ej8u-gU 




from Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space.
7. Walliman, Dominic. (2013). Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space. Illustrated by Ben Newman. London UK: Flying Eye Books.

Exploring the Universe: From Stardust - Independent and Small Group Reading Texts:

  1. Arguilar, David. (2011). 13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. (1120L)
  2. Aldrin, Buzz. (2009). Look to the Stars. Paintings by Wendell Minor. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
  3. Bailey, Jacqui. (2004). Sun Up, Sun Down: The Story of Day and Night. North Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books. (800L)
  4. Branley, Franklyn Mansfield.  (1987). The Moon Seems to Change.  New York: HarperCollins.  (470L)
  5. Branley, Franklyn Mansfield. (1998). Floating in Space. New York: HarperCollins. (690L)
  6. Branley, Franklyn Mansfield. (1999). The Moon Seems to Change. New York: HarperCollins. (470L)
  7. Branley, Franklyn Mansfield. (2000). The International Space Station. New York: HarperCollins. (720L)
  8. Branley, Franklyn Mansfield. (2002). Mission to Mars. New York: HarperCollins. (720L)
  9. Branley, Franklyn Mansfield. (2000). The Sun Our Nearest Neighbor. New York: HarperCollins. (570L)
  10. Carney, Elizabeth. (2012). National Geographic Readers: Planets. Washington, D.C. National Geographic Children's Books. (660L)
  11. Carney, Elizabeth. (2014). National Geographic Readers: Mars. Washington, D.C. National Geographic Children's Books. (840L)
  12. Crelin, Bob. (2009). Faces of the Moon. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. (950L)
  13. Gibbons, Gail. (1998). The Moon Book. New York: Holiday House. (740L)
  14. Gibbons, Gail. (1999). Stargazers. New York: Holiday House
  15. Gibbons, Gail.  (2008). Galaxies, Galaxies! New York: Holiday House. (880L)
  16. Gibbons, Gail. (2008). The Planets.  New York: Holiday House. (6600L)
  17. Harrison, James. (2012 ). Kingfisher Readers L5: Space.  Kingfisher. (910L)
  18. Simon, Seymour. (1991). Galaxies. New York: HarperCollins. (1010L)
  19. Simon, Seymour. (2003). The Moon. New York: HarperCollins. (730L)
  20. Simon, Seymour. (2006).  Destination: Space. New York: HarperCollins.
  21. Simon, Seymour. (2006).  Stars. New York: HarperCollins.
  22. Simon, Seymour. (2007). Our Solar System (revised edition). New York: HarperCollins. (1020L)
  23. Stewart, Melissa. (2015).  National Geographic Readers: Meteors. Washington, D.C. National Geographic Children's Books. 
  24. Stone, Tanya Lee. (2009). Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. (980L)
  25. Tomacek, Steve. (2006). Jump Into Science: Stars. Washington D.C.:  National Geographic Children's Books. (700L)
  26. Tomacek, Steve. (2006). Jump Into Science: Sun. Washington D.C.:  National Geographic Children's Books. (770L)
  27. Tomacek, Steve. (2008). Jump Into Science: Moon. Washington D.C.:  National Geographic Children's Books. (810L)
  28. Wittenstein,  Vicki Oransky. (2010). Planet Hunter: Geoff Marcy and the Search for Other Earths. Honesdale, PA: Bods Mills Press.  (1080L)

Text Set 2: Moon Landing, July 1969 

From Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space.
Shared Reading

1. Aldrin, Buzz. (2008). Reaching for the Moon. Paintings by Wendell Minor. New York: HarperCollins. (860L)

2. Armstrong, Neil.  (1969). Video: First Steps on the Moon. Retrieved 6.24.15 from 



3. 60 Minutes Interview. (2002). Interview with Neil Armstrong. Retrieved 6.27.15 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3h1V3nzn0A




4. Collins, Michael. (1994). Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut’s Story.  New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux. (1170L)

5. Floca, Brian. (2009). Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11. New York: Richard Jackson Books. (990L)

6. Granath, Bob. (2015). “Former Astronauts Recall Historic First Moon Landing. ” NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/content/former-astronauts-recall-historic-first-moon-landing 

7. Kennedy, John F. (1962). We Chose to Go to the Moon. Video. “Retrieved 7.1.15 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25G1M4EXrQ


8. Walliman, Dominic. (2013). Professor Astro Cat's Frontiers of Space. Illustrated by Ben Newman. London UK: Flying Eye Books.


Moon Landing, July 1969: Independent and Small Group Reading Texts:

  1. Brown, Don. (2001). One Giant Leap. New York: HMH Books for Young Readers . 
  2. Burleigh, Robert. (2014). One Giant Leap. Illustrated by Mike Wimmer. New York: Philomel. (470L)
  3. Chaikin, Andrew. (2009). Mission  Control, This is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon. New York: Viking Press. (1150). 
  4. Chaikin, Andrew. (2009). Voices from the Moon: Apollo Astronauts Describe Their Lunar Experiences. New York: Studio.
  5. Donnelly, Judy. (1989). Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon. New York: Random House. (550L)
  6. Hollingsworth, Tamara. (2010). Neil Armstrong: Man on the Moon. Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials. (430L)
  7. McNulty, Faith. (2005). If You Decide To Go To The Moon. Illustrated by Steven Kellogg. New York: Scholastic. (690L)
  8. Schyffert, Bea Uusma. (2003). The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (850L)
  9. Siy, Alexandra. (2001). Footprints on the Moon. Waterbury, MA: Charlesbridge. (920L)
  10. Thimmesh, Catherine. (2006). Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon. New York: Houghton Mifflin. (1060L)
  11. Wikinson, Philip. (2012). DK Readers L3: Spacebusters: The Race to the Moon. New York: DK Readers. 
  12. Yomtov, Nel. (2014). The Apollo 11 Moon Landing: July 20, 1969.  Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. (840L)

Friday, September 11, 2015

Teaching With Text Sets in Grade 3: Fairy Tales

Text sets are collections of resources designed to support learning. Focusing on a concept or topic, a text-set collection often includes multiple genres such as books, e-resources, poetry, songs, photographs, and other types of text. In this post I outline a few possibilities for grade 3 with a focus on fairy tales. Specifically, there are texts for read aloud/shared reading, book club, illustrator studies, guided reading and independent/buddy reading.

Read Aloud/Shared Reading

from Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition.
Note: Unlike interactive read alouds in grades K and 1, in grades 2 and higher, students need access to the text.  Therefore multiple copies of the text are needed. Usually I recommend that 8 additional copies are secured so that small groups of students can reread the texts and focus on sections of the texts. Copies of the reader's theater script and Jack and the Beanstalk by Roald Dahl are provided to every student.

  1. Blau, Lisa.  Jack and the Beanstalk: An English Folktale: A Reader’s Theatre Script. Retrieved from: http://www.lisablau.com/freescripts.html
  2. Coburn, Jewell. (2014). Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition. Illustrated by 
  3. Connie McLennan. New York: Lee and Low Books. (700L, Level P)
  4. Dahl, Roald. (2009). “Jack and the Beanstalk” from Revolting Rhymes. New York: Puffin Books.
  5. Dahl, Roald. Jack and Beanstalk. Video. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpAoCUN4toE
 

6. de la Paz, Myrna. (2014). Abadeha: The Philippine Cinderella.  Illustrated by Youshan Tang. New York: Lee and Low Books. (Level O)
7. Gaiman, Neil. (2010). Instructions. Illustrated by Charles Vess. New York: HarperCollins. (No Lexile Level)
8. Isadora, Rachel. (2008). Rapunzel. New York: G.P. Putnam. (No Lexile Level)
from Beauty and the Beast, Illustrated by Pat Cummings

9. Lee, H. Chiku. (2014). Beauty and the Beast. Illustrated by Pat Cummings. New York: HarperCollins. (860L)
10. San Souci, Robert. (1989). The Talking Eggs. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial. (840L) (Caldecott Honor Book)
11. The Talking Eggs. Video. 


12. Stimpson, Colin. (2012). Jack and the Baked Beanstalk. New York: Templar. (830L)
13. Zelinsky, Paul O. (1996). Rumpelstiltskin. New York: Puffin. (740L) (Caldecott Honor Book)

Read Aloud/Author Study/Book Clubs

Note: Students have a copy of one of these texts. Portions of these texts are read aloud and the majority are read by students in self-selected groups based on text interest.

Shurtliff, Liesl. (2016). Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Shurtliff, Liesl. (2015). Jack: The True Story of Jack in the Beanstalk. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Shurtliff, Liesl. (2013). Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Illustrator Study 

from The Wild Swans, Illustrated by Thomas Aquinas Maguire

  1. Andersen, Hans Christian. (2012). The Wild Swans. Illustrated by Thomas Aquinas Maguire. Vancouver, BC: Simply Read Books. An accordion book. 104 pp. 
  2. Krishnaswami, Uma. (2013). The Girl of the Wish Garden, A Thumbelina Story. Illustrated by Nasrin Khosravi. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books. 
  3. Wilde, Oscar. (2013). The Selfish Giant. Illustrated by Ritva Voutila.  AU: Allen & Unwin. 


Books for Guided and Independent Reading/Buddy Reading

Level K
from Hansel and Gretel/Hansel y Gretel.

  1. Abeya, Elisabet. (2005). Hansel and Gretel/Hansel y Gretel. Illustrated by Cristina Losantos. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.  (GR Level 18/K)
  2. Boada, Francesc. (2004).  Princess and the Pea/La princesa y el guisante. Illustrated by Pau Estrada. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.  (GR Level 18/K)
  3. Bofill, Francesc. (2006). Rapunzel/Rapunzel. Illustrated by Joma Joma. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.  (GR Level 18/K)
  4. Bofill, Francesc. (1998). Jack and the Beanstalk / Juan y los Frijoles Mágicos. Illustrated by Arnal Ballester. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.  (GR Level 18/K)
  5. Carrasco, Xavier. (2007). Rumpelstiltskin. Illustrated by Fransesc Infante. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (GR Level 18/K)
  6. Desclot, Miquel. (2008). Snow White/Blancanieves. Illustrated by Ignasi Blanch. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (GR Level 18/K)
  7. Mills, J. Elizabeth. Beauty and the Beast. Illustrated by Barbara Lanza. New York: Scholastic. (480L. GR Level 18/K)
  8. Surges, James. (1999). Little Red Riding Hood/Caperucita Roja. Illustrated by Pau Estrada. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (GR Level 18/K)
Level L

from Snow White in New York
  1. Desclot, Miquel. (2003). Sleeping Beauty/La bella durmiente. Illustrated by Christoph Abbrederis. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (GR Level 20/L)
  2. French, Fiona. (1990). Snow White in New York. New York: Oxford University Press. (710L, GR Level 20/L) 
  3. Marshall, James. (1993). Red Riding Hood. New York: Picture Puffin. (520L, GR Level 20/L) 
  4. Mayer, Marianna. (1999). The Twelve DancingPrincesses. Illustrated by Kinuko Y. Craft. New York: HarperCollins. (750L, GR Level 20/L) 
  5. Osborne, Mary Pope. (2005). Kate and the Beanstalk. Illustrated by Giselle Potter. New York: Anne Schwartz Books. (440L, GR Level 20/L)
  6. Valrui, Caterina. (2004). Thumbelina/Pulgarcita. Illustrated by Max Tommelise. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (GR Level 20/L)


Level M
from Hansel and Gretel, Illustration by Paul O. Zelinsky.
  1. Boada, Francesc. (2001). Cinderella/Cenicienta. Illustrated by Monse Fransoy. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. ( GR Level 24/M)
  2. Galdone, Paul. (1982).  Jack and the Beanstalk. Boston, MA: HMH Books for Young Readers. (GR Level 24/M)
  3. Huck, Charlotte. (1994). Princess Furball. Illustrated by Anita Lobel. New York: Greenwillow Books. (920L, GR Level 24/M)
  4. Izquierdo, Oriol. (2003). The Little Mermaid/La Sirenita. Illustrated by Francesc Capdevila (Max). San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. ( GR Level 24/M)
  5. Lesser, Rika. (1996). Hansel and Gretel. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Puffin Books. (680L, GR Level 24/M)
  6. Walker, Kate. (1995). The Frog Who Would be King. Illustrated by David Cox. New York: Mondo Books. (850L, Guided Reading Level 24/M) 
  7. Yolen, Jane. (1997). Sleeping Ugly. Illustrated by Diane Stanley. New York: Puffin Books. (590L, Guided Reading Level 24/M) 


Level N
from The Tear Thief
  1. Cole, Babette. (1997). Prince Cinders. New York: Puffin Books. (630L, GR Level 30/N)
  2. Hyman, Trina Schart. (1987). Little Red Riding Hood. New York: Holiday House. (800L, GR Level 30/N)
  3. Duffy, Carol Ann. (2011). The Tear Thief. Illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli. Cambridge, MA: Barefoot Books. (820L, GR Level 30/N)
  4. Jackson, Ellen. (1998). Cinder Edna. Illustrated by Kevin O’Malley. New York: HarperCollins. (610L, Level 30/N)
  5. Kellogg, Steven. (1997).  Jack and the Beanstalk. New York: HarperCollins. (660L, GR Level 30/N)
  6. Kimmel, Eric A.  (2012). Jack and the Giant Barbecue. Illustrated by John Manders. New York: Two Lions. (580L, GR Level 30/N)
  7. Lesser, Rika. (1996). Hansel and Gretel. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Puffin. (680L, GR Level 30/N)
  8. Pinkney, Jerry. (2007). Little Red Riding Hood. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. (840L, GR Level 30/N)
  9. San Souci, Robert D. (2000). Little Gold Star: A Spanish American Cinderella Tale. Illustrated by Sergio Martinez. New York: HarperCollins. (640L, GR Level 30/N)
  10. Sierra, Judy. (2000). The Gift of the Crocodile: A Cinderella Story. Illustrated by Reynold Ruffins. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. (590L, GR Level 30/N)
  11. Steptoe, John. (2008). Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. New York: Puffin. (720L, GR Level 30/N)


Level O


  1. Brucker, Meredith & Lila Mehta. (2014). Anklet for a Princess: A Cinderella Tale from India. Illustrated by Youshan Tang. New York: Lee and Low Books. (660L, GR Level 34/O)
  2. Climo, Shirley. (1996). The Korean Cinderella. Illustrated by Ruth Heller. New York: HarperTrophy. (700L, GR Level 34/0)
  3. Climo, Shirley. (1992). The Egyptian Cinderella. Illustrated by Ruth Heller. New York: HarperTrophy. (620L, GR Level 34/0)
  4. Coburn, Jewell. (2014). Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella.  Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. New York: Lee and Low Books. (620L, GR Level 34/O)
  5. Coburn, Jewell. (2014).  Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella. Illustrated by Eddie Flotte. New York: Lee and Low Books. (660L, GR Level 34/O)
  6. dePaola, Tomie. (2004). Adelita. New York: Puffin Books. (660L, GR Level 34/O)
  7. Ernst, Lisa Campbell. Little Red Riding Hood: A Newfangled Prairie Tale. New York: Scholastic. (580L, GR Level 34/O)
  8. Long, Sylvia. (2010). Sylvia Long's Thumbelina.  San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (GR Level 34/O)
  9. Minters, Frances. (1996). Sleepless Beauty. New York: Puffin Books.  (490L, GR Level 34/O)
  10. Stanley, Diane. (2004). The Giant and theBeanstalk. New York: HarperCollins. (670L, GR Level 34/O)
  11. Rosales, Melodye Benson. (1999). Leola and the Honeybears: An African-American Retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. (800L, GR Level 34/0)


Level P
from The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story
  1. Brett, Jan. (1990). Beauty and the Beast. Boston, MA: HMH Books for Young Readers. (860L, GR Level 38/P)
  2. Hickox, Rebecca. (1999). The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story. Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. New York: Holiday House. (870L, GR Level 38/P) 
  3. Hines-Stephens, Sarah. (2003). Beauty and the Beast and Other Stories. Illustrated by Pat Cummings. New York: Scholastic. (670L, GR Level 38/P)
  4. Louie, Ai-Ling. (1996). Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. Illustrated by Ed Young. New York: Puffin. (840L, GR Level 38/P)
  5. Minters, Frances. (1997). Cinder-Elly. New York: Puffin Books.  (GR Level 38/P)
  6. Stanley, Diane. (2002). Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter. New York: HarperCollins. (570L, GR Level 38/P)
  7. Zelinsky, Paul O. (2002). Rapunzel. New York: Puffin. (700L, GR Level 38/P)

Level Q
from The Snow Queen, llustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
  1. Anderson, Hans Christian. (2013). The Snow Queen. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. New York: HarperCollins. (720L, GR Level 40/Q)


Level S
from Lon Po Po
  1. Granowsky, Alvin. (2007). The Beauty, the Beast, and the Sisters: A Thrice-told Tale. New York: Mondo Books. (GR Level 50/S)
  2. Mitchell, Stephen. (2006).  The Nightingale. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Somerset, MA: Candlewick Press. (GR Level, 50/S)
  3. Young, Ed. (1996). Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China. New York: Puffin. (670L, Guided Reading Level, 40/S)


No Guided Reading Levels


  1. Climo, Shirley. (2000). The Irish Cinderlad. Illustrated by Loretta Krupinski. New York: HarperTrophy. (730L)
  2. Daly, Niki. (2007). Pretty Salma: A Little Red Riding Hood Story from Africa. New York: Clarion Books. (640L)
  3. Eilenberg, Max. (2006). Beauty and the Beast. Illustrated by Angela Barrett. Somerset, MA: Candlewick Press. (1100L)
  4. Gaiman, Neil. (2014). Hansel and Gretel. Illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti.  New York: Toon Classics. (1030L)
  5. Gilani, Fawzia. (2013). Snow White: An Islamic Tale. Illustrated by Shireen Adams. The Islamic Foundation.  (780L)
  6. Gilani, Fawzia. (2011). Cinderella: An Islamic Tale. Illustrated by Shireen Adams. The Islamic Foundation.  (no leveling)
  7. Grimm, Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm. (1987). Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs: A Tale from the Brothers Grimm. Illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (830L)  (Caldecott Honor Book) 
  8. Kimmel, Eric A.  (2013). Little Red Hot. Illustrated by Laura Huliska Beith. New York: Two Lions. (550L)
  9. Mayer, Marianna. (1999). Iron John. Illustrated by Winslow Pels.  New York: Morrow Junior. (700L) 
  10. Perrault, Charles. (2002). Cinderella. Illustrated by Loek Koopmans. New York: North South Books. (590L)
  11. Poole, Josephine. (1991). Snow White. Illustrated by Angela Barrett. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. 
  12. Sweet, Melissa. (2005). Carmine: A Little More Red.  New York: Houghton Mifflin. (640L)