Those Darn Squirrels

Today the Bookworms read and thoroughly enjoyed Those Darn Squirrels by  Adam Rubin.  The students noted it was the first paperback book we have read this session.  They also really found the dedications on the dedication page quite funny.

Aside from getting a kick out of the squirrels and their mischief, the students learned about character traits and cause/effect.  We discussed how a character's feelings can change throughout the story while other traits may stay the same.  After noticing Old Man Fookwire's emotions evolve, we discussed what caused the change and what effect it had on the character.  Here's what the bookworms came up with.

To compliment our story we were going to make bird feeders BUT I wanted to spare parents of the sticky mess it may cause in backpacks.  So, instead, we planted some seeds that will hopefully sprout some lovely plants come springtime.  

Next week, we will end our Adam Rubin concentration by reading Secret Pizza Party.  We will continue to discuss character traits and cause/effect, because these can be tricky things to grasp in just 60 minutes.  As a result, I encourage you to discuss characters and their feelings both in books and on TV.  Students can think about the causes of the character's emotions while also identifying internal and external characteristics.   

Have a great week, Bookworm Parents!  

Robo-Sauce

Salutations, all!

Today the Bookworms began reading the work of our second author concentration of the session, Adam Rubin.  The students were read Rubin's latest publication, Robo-Sauce and wow did they love it.  Maybe it was the all the wonderful onomatopoeia or perhaps the book turning into a robot.  Whatever it was, each bookworm gave the book well over 5 stars (many of them gave it more than 1,000 stars).

We used Robo-Sauce to discuss the concept of conflict.  Afterwards, the children used their imaginations to draw what they would look like as robots and what they would do with their new abilities.  They came up with some pretty clever ideas.

We meant to get around to our manuscript edits this afternoon, but a project got us way over our heads.  As a group, the children created their own Bookworms robot out of boxes, foil, tape, markers, and construction paper.  

Our robot has yet to be named, but as you can see, he/she has several levers, buttons and gadgets with a variety of functions.  Arms and fingers will be added next week.  In the meantime, the robot is residing in my home office, awaiting his finishing touches and the book release party at the end of the session.  According to the bookworms, it will be our honored guest.

Til next week, everyone!

EARLY LITERACY BOOSTERS

• Discuss the concept of conflict with your children... not just in books but in everyday situations.  Encourage them to use that vocabulary word aside from "problem" in order for them to understand their interchangeability.  
• Visit Adam Rubin's website with your child in order to learn a little more about him: http://adamrubinhasawebsite.com/
• Look up book reviews for Robo-Sauce with your child.  Do they agree with them?  Why or why not?  This dialogue offers wonderful opportunities for your child to reflect upon what their reading and their own opinions.  

Pirates Love Underpants

Greetings, Parents!

This week we concluded our study of Claire Freedman's work with Pirates Love Underpants.  This story was used to discuss "fact" and "fiction".

The students determined that while the book was fiction, pirates and treasure were factual concepts.  Many of them gave themselves fun pirate names and thought about what their own factual treasure was.  There were lots of great ideas and treasures discussed.  Students then drew a treasure map of where they would hide their most beloved treasure and wrote about it.  

After this brainstorming process, bookworms used Play Doh to make physical representations of the treasure they wrote about.

Baby dolls to be buried under the floor of a house.  Pretty creative secret spot!

A golden unicorn to be stashed in the grass. 

A dinosaur model kit to be buried in the jungle.  

To continue reinforcing the children's understanding of opinion and reaction to a story, below you will find the Bookworms Book Review.  

BOOKWORMS BOOK REVIEW

Pirates Love Underpants

1-5 Stars & Why

Nate: 10 Stars - " I don't like it that much because the pirates steal things."

Isabella: 5 Stars- "Because it's so funny!"

Carmen: 1 Star - "Because the pirates were stealing."

Althea: 5 Stars - "I think it's funny that they love underpants."

The children's book reviews are a useful tool in engaging in discussion.  Converse with them about comparing and contrasting their opinions on the titles they read.  Use the concepts of fact and fiction to help them differentiate between fiction and nonfiction, and also in distinguishing truth from stories in every day situations.  The possibilities are endless when students reflect upon their reactions to the world around them!

Aliens Love Underpants

Hello, Parents!

During last week's meeting, the bookworms continued their study of Claire Freedman's work by reading Aliens Love Underpants.  We used this title to discuss the concept of "setting" in a story.

The children designed their own "underpants" made of construction paper.  This craft helped us play a game of "hot and cold".  Our classroom was transformed into the setting of the book, and we acted like the characters (aliens).  Each child took a turn pretending to be an alien searching for underpants, while a partner hid their craft somewhere in the room.  The students had a blast on their quests while their partner gave them hints as to whether or not they were "hot" or "cold".

Later, bookworms worked together to recreate the setting of the story with Legos.  Spaceships, rockets, and planets were built.

Lastly, the authors convened to make edits to the setting in their group manuscript, which is coming along quite nicely.

Below, you will find something new I have started with the children.  We have been discussing what an opinion is and what theirs are on the books they have read.  Students were asked to judge Aliens Love Underpants and rate it on a scale of 1-5 stars.  They were also asked to share why they gave the title said rating.  Check out what they said...

BOOKWORMS BOOK REVIEW

Aliens Love Underpants

Nate: 10 Stars- "Because I like the aliens".  

Althea: 5 Stars - "Because it's so funny!"

Isabella: 10 Stars- "Because it's funny.  I like underpants."

Carmen: 6 Stars- "I love the book because the aliens come to Earth."

There you have it, folks!  I think it's safe to say this title was a hit.  :) 

Please continue to use terms such as "opinion" and "setting" when discussing books read at home.  Any conversations reinforcing these concepts make for great early literacy boosters.

Have a great evening!  

Who We Are

Hello, all!  My name is Alidis Vicente, and I am a children's book author from New Jersey.  I have been working with children in different capacities for about 15 years and have been a published author for five.

Last year I began a very exciting adventure.  I created a mobile book club for New Jersey children in Preschool and Kindergarten.  During our sessions, we focus on two specific authors and/or illustrators, reading a different title every week.  Each meeting involves a mini lesson, during which children are introduced to a variety of literary concepts (characters, conflict, resolution, setting, etc.)  After reading the weekly story, students incorporate the concept they have learned into an activity... usually it's art but it can also be a group project.

Lastly, the children are challenged to create a group manuscript, which will be "published" by their "publisher" (me) at the end of the session.  Every week they edit their story based upon the mini lesson of the day.  It is truly amazing what these children can create when they understand the evolution of writing and the art behind its creation.  The revisions and scribbles are viewed as necessary steps to achieve a goal as opposed to a correction of a job poorly done.  It is a beautiful thing to work with these young minds, and I am so happy to do it!

Below are images of some creations of the past year.  I hope you enjoy them!  Feel free to check out our Facebook page for more information.. https://www.facebook.com/LittleBookwormsBookClub/

What better way to learn about a story's setting than to build it?!

The journey of our writing.  The original story is always written in black.  Children choose a different color to edit with every week.  Revisions are embraced and are exciting times when these young authors get to add more touches of their imaginations.

This Conflict Resolution Tree helped students reflect upon times they were "Stuck" and the solutions that helped them become "unstuck".  

Creativity bloomed when the bookworms' crayons quit.

Introduction to magical realism with SkippyJon Jones 

After reading Green Eggs & Ham, students  showed what they weren't fans of eating... but, they promised to give them a try.  Thanks, Dr. Seuss!

I couldn't find any Truffula seeds, but strawberry plants are what everyone needs :)

A Play Doh representation of the setting in Skippyjon Jones: Lost in Spice by Judy Schachner

Dinosaurs Love Underpants

Hello Parents, and Happy New Year!

Today marked our first meeting of the 2017 Winter Bookworms Session!  We will be focusing on authors Claire Freedman and Adam Rubin.  This afternoon we embarked on our Claire Freedman journey with her ever popular book, Dinosaurs Love Underpants.  The funny story was used to reintroduce the following vocabulary words: hardcover, paperback, title, picture book, author, illustrator, cover page, dedication page, characters.  It may seem like we went over a lot… and we did!  These key words will be used repeatedly throughout our meetings together, and I encourage you to use them at home as well. 

The bookworms loved today’s book selection in addition to the art project that followed.  Students got creative, decorating and designing their own interpretation of the book’s characters.  To see images of their work, please take a peek at our Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/LittleBookwormsBookClub/

As always, the bookworms will be creating their own book which will be published at the end of the session during their book release party.  Today, the students began collaborating to create their first rough draft of the manuscript.  I don’t want to spoil the plot… but there are unicorns, sausage pizzas and snakes involved.  I can’t wait to see where their imaginations take them!

Here are some ideas to help get your bookworms engaged at home:

•  Talk to your child about the characters in the book.  Which was their favorite?  Why?
• Print out some of these great activities based on today's title!  Click under "fun stuff" to find coloring sheets, spot the difference activities and more  https://clubs-kids.scholastic.co.uk/products/Dinosaurs-Love-Underpants-9781847382108
• To learn more about Claire Freedman, have your child visit her website with you: http://www.clairefreedman.co.uk/

Until next week,

Alidis