Children's Literature
Listed below, I have analyzed two children's books that are age appropriate for your son/daughter. Included with their description and summary, I have incorporated activities to complete with each book. There are additional instruction suggestions as well. When selecting a book for your child, itis very important to know your child’s current reading level. Review the booksyour child currently reads to ensure that each book is at an appropriate levelfor him/her. Investigate the vocabulary, story line, use of visuals, and the overall reading level when selecting each book. Be sure to choose a topic that is of interest to your child to engage and hold their attention. Encourage reading as often as possible, but be sure not to overwhelm. Use your best judgment when suggesting “reading time.” I recommend you have your child read for a minimum of 15 minutes a day. Be a positive role model for your child. Pick up a book, newspaper, or magazine article and read with them. This “reading time” can take place together or alone, after school or before bed. Leave the choice up to them!
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Racing Around
Written by Stuart J. Murphy Illustrated by Mike Reed Published by HarperCollins (2002) Racing Around is a story of a young boy named Mike who experiences the ridicule from his brother and sister about how he is too young and small to make it around the Perimeter Path (15-kilometer bicycle race). Stuart J. Murphy teaches the mathematical concepts of perimeter through visual concepts. Racing Around is a wonderful book for the fourth grade reading level. It contains appropriate vocabulary terms and concepts all relating to measurement and perimeter. Mike Reed did an excellent job with the illustrations as they perfectly convey the message to the students. He illustrates the actual bike path and includes the lengths of each side. Perimeter is concept we use in everyday life. Stuart J. Murphy communicates the concept of perimeter by relating this content to a real life scenario/event. Throughout the story we are taken through the stages of learning the perimeter of the bike path. Each side of the path gets the closer to determining the overall perimeter. For more information on Stuart J. Murphy visit his website! Racing Around can be purchased on Amazon.com Murphy, S. J. (2002). Racing Around. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. |
Mathematics Activity:
Racing Around teaches the math concept of perimeter, or the distance around a shape. After reading the book, allow your child to receive a deeper understanding of this concept by actually relating it to real life. Have your child learn the various perimeters found around your house. Instruct your child to identify the perimeter around a picture frame hanging on the wall or the TV sitting in your living room. Have them measure these distances with the use of a ruler and compare the perimeters of the items they are measuring. |
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The Penny Pot
Written by Stuart J. Murphy Illustrated by Lynne Cravath Published by HarperCollins (1998) The Penny Pot is a story about a little girl named Jessie who wants to get her face painted at the school fair. It costs 50 cents, but Jessie doesn’t have enough money since she just bought an ice cream cone. She is given a suggestion by the art teacher to wait around and see if anyone puts a penny in the “penny pot.” This book is a great way to help children learn about the different ways to make the same amount of money using coins. Using money and understanding the concept behind how much each coin/bill is worth is something that society requires of us every day. Money is all around us and used daily life. This is a great book that will help your child with their counting coin skills. The Penny Pot shows different ways to count the coins and does a great job illustrating the front and back of each coin. The story line of The Penny Pot is extremely easy to follow and keeps the reader engaged as Jessie is attempting to get her face painted. The more practice your fourth grade child receives with money, the more educated the skillful they will become throughout their everyday life! For more information on Stuart J. Murphy visit his website! The Penny Pot can be purchased on Amazon.com Murphy, S. J. (1998). The Penny Pot. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. |
Mathematics Activity:
The Penny Pot teaches the math concepts of coin counting and the understanding of money. After reading the book, allow your child to receive a deeper understanding of this concept by actually relating it to real life. The next time you go to the grocery store, put your child in charge of the money and shopping list. Instruct them to get as many of the items on the list, using only the money you provide them with. This process will make the child strategize to determine how many and which items they can buy. Additional games and activities that can be played at home include the games of Monopoly and Life. Both of these entertaining and family fun games teaches the child concepts of using money and provides them with practice in using these skills. |
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Choosing a Book
When choosing books for your child, it is important to consider a variety of things. Be sure to choose a book of an appealing nature to your child. Choosing and interesting book for your son/daughter will hold their attention and keep their focus while reading. Attempt to select a well-known book for reading. Nominees and winners of the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Award would be a great starting point for this criterion. These books have been thoroughly reviewed and considered for children, and would be most likely appealing to your son/daughter. Choose a book that is on your child’s reading level and would be appropriate for their age. View the Fry Readability Graph below to compare books you are considering for your child.
When choosing books for your child, it is important to consider a variety of things. Be sure to choose a book of an appealing nature to your child. Choosing and interesting book for your son/daughter will hold their attention and keep their focus while reading. Attempt to select a well-known book for reading. Nominees and winners of the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Award would be a great starting point for this criterion. These books have been thoroughly reviewed and considered for children, and would be most likely appealing to your son/daughter. Choose a book that is on your child’s reading level and would be appropriate for their age. View the Fry Readability Graph below to compare books you are considering for your child.
Fry Readability Graph Formula
Step 1: Randomly choose 3 samples of 100-word passages. (Found within book)
Step 2: Count the total number of sentences found within all three 100-word passages.
Step 3: Count the total number of syllables found within all three 100-word passages.
Step 4: Find the average “Sentence Length” and “Number of Syllables” (Add totals of all three passages and divide by three).
Step 5: Plot a dot where the two lines intersect. The area in which this dot lies is the approximate reading grade level for that book.
For more information on the Fry Readability Graph Click Here!
Step 1: Randomly choose 3 samples of 100-word passages. (Found within book)
Step 2: Count the total number of sentences found within all three 100-word passages.
Step 3: Count the total number of syllables found within all three 100-word passages.
Step 4: Find the average “Sentence Length” and “Number of Syllables” (Add totals of all three passages and divide by three).
Step 5: Plot a dot where the two lines intersect. The area in which this dot lies is the approximate reading grade level for that book.
For more information on the Fry Readability Graph Click Here!
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How to Read
Reading with your child is very important and can have a huge impact on their school success and reading achievement. Here are a few tips to consider when reading.
1. Make sure you and your child can both see the pages, words, and pictures.
2. Allow your child to sit next to you or on your lap to provide them with a feeling of security and comfort. Encourage them to be the “guide”and turn each page. This helps to keep their focus on the story.
3. Start with short reading sessions and slowly build up to longer sessions. Always make time to read for your child. You need to be a positive role model when it comes to reading.
4. Don’t skip/avoid pictures. Take notice to each page and point out the meaning behind each picture!
5. Emphasize punctuation when reading aloud. Make the story come to life!
6. Talk about what was just read. Review over the story and allow your child to explain what they know.
Reading with your child is very important and can have a huge impact on their school success and reading achievement. Here are a few tips to consider when reading.
1. Make sure you and your child can both see the pages, words, and pictures.
2. Allow your child to sit next to you or on your lap to provide them with a feeling of security and comfort. Encourage them to be the “guide”and turn each page. This helps to keep their focus on the story.
3. Start with short reading sessions and slowly build up to longer sessions. Always make time to read for your child. You need to be a positive role model when it comes to reading.
4. Don’t skip/avoid pictures. Take notice to each page and point out the meaning behind each picture!
5. Emphasize punctuation when reading aloud. Make the story come to life!
6. Talk about what was just read. Review over the story and allow your child to explain what they know.
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Murphy, S. J. (1998). The Penny Pot. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Murphy, S. J. (2002). Racing Around. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Murphy, S. J. (2002). Racing Around. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.