10 for 10 Picture Books

I teach 5th grade, and I LOVE picture books! All of these books are "new" to me as I searched the "new" shelf at our little country library. Although not all 2013 release dates, they will all be integrated into my class this year. 

#1 The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt I heard about this book on twitter, previewed it at the library, and it was on my MUST have list.  It is a perfect mentor text for reading (character and voice) and writing (description and visuals). Icing on the cake Drew tweeted back to me so I will start with sharing that tweet with my class!!

#2 Because Ameila Smiled by David Ezra Stein Loved the cover and after reading the simple story about paying it forward I knew it would be perfect for social studies because the giving inspires people from all around the world.  I found a fun book trailer too!

#3 Do You Have a Hat? by Eileen Spinelli again drawn to the bright orange cover and illustrations. As I searched this book, I realized it was published in 2004 must have been misplaced on the shelf. How lucky for me because I had missed it? This is perfect for non fiction text features with mini biographies about each person along with a fun description of their extraordinary hats. 

#4 The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman I learned about the next two books from Tara @A Teaching Life  She hooked me with her preview "I'm setting this book aside as a mentor text idea for our memoir unit next year - especially when we discuss how items we cherish are wonderful storehouses for memoir ideas."


#5 Louisa May's Battle by Kathaleen Krull. Tara shared about the book which I enjoyed learning more about the Civil War and how it lead to one of my favorite books: Little Women.  But the hook for me was "There is also a marvelous website that Hughes has created just for this book - with maps, background information and videos of herself explaining the writing process, and how this story was one she was just waiting for the right time to tell."

 #6 A Strange Place to Call Home by Marilyn Singer I am always on a hunt for poetry books to hook my students.  This is just the bait needed to bring them into an intriguing book about 14 animals that find their habitats in the most unusual and sometimes scary locations. Perfect for students writing their own poetry during our Life Science unit.

#7 Look Up! Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer by Robert Burleigh is a nonfiction PB that I will be adding to my shelf for several reasons. As a mentor text for science discussing the experimental process,  theme of perseverance, and finally how women's jobs have changed over time (SS=timelines). Here is a video that shares her history and connections with science.   

#8 exclamation mark by Amy Kouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld.  Excited to add this to my writing basket and using it for mini lessons including synonyms for confused and great prompt for WNB. But the first time I will share this book will be in the first week of school when we are building our class community by watching this video and will continue to use the book throughout the year.

#9 Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon. As I sat on the floor in the library reading the book,  I realized the WHO is the important word in the title. The global perspective is important along with the community working towards one goal making cookies.  I think we might be baking this day or at least be eating cookies.

#10 Inside Outside by Lizi Boyd  LOVED this wordless, cut out picture book.  Check out this video.  It is so much fun to see how the next cut out changes the next picture and helps the reader to understand the story.  Already thinking about how to use this in writer's workshop with allowing students to cut out a part of their illustration to add dimensions to their story. 

Thanks to Mandy Robek @ Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Cathy Mere
@ Reflect and Refine for hosting this #pb10for10 event. LOVE 8-10-13 for encouraging all of us to share so many amazing books-a day spent in picture book heaven.