Storyline Online

http://www.storylineonline.net/

I know that we had already discussed this last we but I've been using it all summer at my summer camp. I absolutely love it. Storyline Online was created by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. The website is fantastic. It allows the children, or students in our case, to listen an view the book being read by some one famous whom they may recognize. That just the intriguing thing about this website.

The story recording include the actual illustrations from the book but also commendatory from the reader. When I view The Bad Case of Stripes with my children at work the first week I was very impressed. Sean Astin does an excellent job drawing the children into the story while, incorporating something interesting about himself. Some of my children at work actually wanted to try eating lima beans but we weren't having them for lunch so they were disappointed.

I also really like the lesson plan ideas and activities that are included with every story. This website is really a great way to open students up to technology and a new and fun way to present literature. I think that most higher elementary students would enjoy creating their own reading video to present to kindergartens or preschool classes.

Resource: Flowing Well Park

Flowing Well Park is located in Carmel, Indiana which is on the north side of Indianapolis. The address is 5100 E. 116th St. I highly recommend visiting this wonderful park not only because of its aesthetically pleasing surroundings, but because this is an ideal area for many useful puposes. For example, one can simply use the serene enviornment for relaxation, lesson planning or studying. This would be a great place for a field trip that could be focused on life biology as there is a wealth of life and nature. Personally, I visit this park often and think that Flowing Well Park is one of Indy's hidden gems. You should go check it out this summer or fall, you will not be disappointed.

Amelia Bedelia

This fun, animated collection of books is great for the classroom. It showcases figurative versus literal phrases we commonly use in the English language. Amelia Bedelia is a very literal lady. When she is asked to make a sponge cake she puts real sponges in it. When she played baseball with friends, she ran to her house when she hit a home run! Children will enjoy her literal interpretations and the ciaos it stirs up. Teachers can use these books as a way of assessment for both the reading skill level of a student and their ability to understand author's intent. Here is a link to view all the books that are a part of this hilarious collection. http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/kids/gamesandcontest/features/amelia

Sheep in a Jeep

I decided to choose this book, Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw, because it was on display with other young children's books at my local library. The cover caught my eye mostly because it just looks really silly; animals driving a vehicle is always a winner! This is a book with hilarious illustrations that correlate directly to the text, which can help the reader figure out parts of the story that may be difficult for them to read. In addition to looking at illustrations as a reading strategy, Nancy Shaw has employed rhyming throughout the entire book, giving struggling readers another strategy that they can use to figure out unknown words. Another reason that I really liked this book was because it showed the importance of working together as a team: the sheep worked together to get their Jeep going, but when they couldn't, the pigs helped them out. This is a book that would be great in a kindergarten classroom, perhaps during a read-aloud time. I think it would be great to discuss with the students what they think the sheep could have done differently to make their excursion just a bit smoother.

Skippyjon Jones Class Action Rhyming and Spanish

Skippyjon Jones Class Action By: Judy Schachner

Here is a brand new book with that lovable little character Skippyjon Jones. Skippyjon Jones Class Action is full of adventure and rhyming. Skippyjon is a personified Siamese cat who wants to go to school, and would prefer to be a Chihuahua, but his mom says, “School is for the dogs and dogs are unruly and drooly, their barks are ferocious and their dog breath smells atrocious!” This Skippyjon Jones book also includes Spanish words. It could be used in teaching in a classroom including ELL students. The rhyming is perfect for early readers. Skippyjon’s adventure is excellent for teaching cause and effect and helping children to use their imaginations in thinking about books. To see an excerpt of this great story and learn more about this author visit: http://skippyjonjones.com/