Popular Children’s Books in the Classroom

This week, I’m beginning a new series that explores popular children’s books and how they can be used in the classroom.  My aim is to help teachers capitalize on the books their students already love to read by using them for lessons and classroom activities.

I should point out that literacy is one of the things I focus on a lot in teaching.  I love seeing what kids like to read, asking them about their books, and thinking of ways they can used in the classroom.  This blog series came to fruition after I paid attention to what students read and talked to them about books.  Most of the books I highlight will be popular series books, since kids love them and they offer the most opportunities for activities.

Here are a few ways you can use the activities and links from this blog series:

·      Use them as a springboard for lessons

·      Use them after read-alouds for brainstorming and writing activities

·      Use them for booktalks, independent reading or discussions

·      Use them for “extra activities” when students are done with their work

·      Use them for substitute lesson plans, or extras for early finishers

·      Journaling, research, options on a menu of assignments, extra credit, etc.

           

The goal, of course, is to encourage student reading and build off of their love for their favorite books.  If you can connect skills and standards to what they already love to read, it may their learning a bit more engaging.

Looking forward to it! 

-Veronica