Charlotte’s Web by: E.B. White, Non-Fiction Chapter Book

For Charlotte’s Web I used a story pyramid with a PowerPoint as my technology. In the PowerPoint I put the words or sentences I used in the story pyramid along with pictures that represented them. I had a lot of fun doing this activity so I feel like students would as well. I believe that this technology could be used in the classroom as a good way to review what has happened in a chapter or even the whole book.

Sarah, Plain, and Tall by: Patricia MacLachlan, Chapter Book Non-Fiction

I did a wordle as my technology for the book Sarah, Plain, and Tall. In the wordle I used words that I thought were important in the book, for instance I used names of characters and words that represented important scenes in the book. I would use this wordle in the classroom as a review of the book. After the students have read the book I would show them the wordle and then have them tell why they thought the words I used where important. I feel that the wordle could lead to great class discussions as a review of the book for the students before a test.

Here is the link to the wordle I made for Sarah, Plain, and Tall:

http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/553675/Sarah%2CPlain%2C_and_Tall

Pig Pig Gets a Job by: David McPhail, Fantasy

In this book Pig Pig decided that he needs money so he can buy something. His mother tells him that he must earn this money by doing something like getting a job. Pig Pig begins to list all of the things he could do as a job like make mud pies, build houses, fix race cars, work at the dump, or work at the circus. Pig Pig decides that he could do most of these things around the house like feed his pet, clean his room, wash and fix up the car, fix lunch, and build things. Then his mom could pay him for the things he does and that could be his job. I would use this book in the classroom to either put in the classroom library or to teach the children about how they need to work to earn money.

Commander Toad and the Voyage Home by: Jane Yolen, Science Fiction

In this book Commander Toad is the captain of the space ship Star Warts. The crew decides that they want to go back home for a while but when Mr. Hop sets the course for home they end up on a very strange planet. While exploring this strange planet that they have landed on Commander Toads falls into a big hole. Down in this hole he discovers statues of his crew’s ancestors. The crew then realizes that this strange planet is the original home planet of all of Earths toads and frogs. I would use this book in the classroom as a fun science fiction book to have in a classroom library. I believe students would enjoy reading this book because it’s funny and talks about things such as outer space.

Commander Toad and the Intergalactic Spy by: Jane Yolen, Science Fiction

This book was a very cute science fiction book for children to read. In the story Commander Toad is the captain of the Star Warts ship. The ship is sent on a dangerous mission to pick up an intergalactic spy who just happens to be Commander Toad’s cousin Tip Toad. Tip Toad is the master of disguise but Commander Toad claims that he will be able to recognize him no matter what. When they get to the planet where Tip Toad is at five monsters in disguise claim to be Tip Toad. Commander Toad comes up with a plan to find out which one of the monsters is really his cousin. He sends all the monsters through a field of tulips but only the real Tip Toad begins to catch flies with his tongue, something only toads can do. Tip Toad comes back to Star Warts and together they fly through the galaxy. I would use this book in the classroom as a fun science fiction book to have in a classroom library. I believe that students would enjoy reading this book because it’s funny and talks about things such as space ships.

Walt Disney’s Comics, Graphic Novel

This book is a very funny comic book with stories involving all different Disney characters including Donald Duck, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. In this issue the Disney gang goes on several “late vacations”. The favorite story in this issue was Mickey Mouse in Vacation Brake. In this story Mickey and Minnie go on a vacation to the mountains where they find out the sheriff and his deputy are trying to sabotage the towns main tourist attraction. I would use this book in a classroom as an enjoyable book in a classroom library for students to read. I think this type of book would be good for students who don’t particular like to read so they may enjoy reading more.

Sunsets of the West by: Tony Johnston, Historical Fiction

This book is about a family in the pioneer days that left their home in New Hampshire to go out West. The family packed up all their pots and pans, food, farm tools, and loved things to head out West for their new life. They met other families headed out West who also had the same dreams as they did. However the journey to the West was not easy, many tears were shed. Tears were shed on the days when there was no rain, for the swelling rivers that carried their cows and chickens away, and for the graves they passed along the way. In the end the family sees the mountains of the West washed with dawn and know that they made the right decision. I would use this book in a classroom to help talk about the pioneer days and how hard it was on the people that settled out West.