No Dogs Allowed!

No Dogs Allowed!

By Linda Ashman

Genre: Fiction

Grade: Pre-kindergarten to second

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About The Author

The youngest of four children, Linda, was born in Schenectady, New York, she grew up in Flemington,  New Jersey. Ahsman  earned a B.A in economics at Rutgers University then earned a Master's Degree at UCLA in Urban Planning. Before getting her Master's Degree she worked eight years as a real estate market analyst, afterwards she then worked for social and enviromental organizations.  To get more information on Linda Ashman, click the link above!

About The book

The book is set in Paris, and we are introduced to Alberto and his new restaurant! Alberto is having an early bird special and is looking for customers, however he only wants the "right" customer, and when customers start to arrive with pets he immediately takes action. When a dog owner appears he writes on the sign, no dogs allowed. But the all sorts of pet owners come and he forced to constantly change the sign, but eventually Alberto is left with no customers. Instead the customers are conversing all around him and enjoying the other spoils of the town.

The book is about a community and Alberto's ability to expect that community. With little no words, and cartoon formatted  illustration's, the pictures tell the story more than the words. This book can also be used for students with special needs, or lower reading leveled students. 

Lesson

Purpose: Students will fill in the blanks from the pictures that do no have words. Students will be able to decipher the pictures with appropriate text to follow. 

Pre-assessment: As a class model what you want having the students help you write about the picture. Ask students what story do you think this picture is telling us? And why do you think the author used this method?

Lesson: Make groups and pick the pages that each group will complete. When students are done there will be a full story with words that can be shared with the entire class. This will allow the students to take pride in their work. Students will be practicing using pictures as comprehension cues while also engaging in writing. Students should be focusing on proper grammar and spelling, as it is a book

Post assessment: Look at group work and take notes on individual participation. Should also be looking at grammar and spelling.

Thank you, Mr. Falker

Thank you, Mr. Falker

By Patricia Polacco

Genre:  Fiction (Autobiographical)

Grade: Kindergarten to fifth

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About The Author

Born in Lancing, Michigan, Polacco is an author with a purpose! Having Dyslexia herself, she needed a teacher to reach out to her, and got one, Mr. Falker.  She can still remember the first time that she was able to read. Being an artist first then a writer, she is a well known writer and award winning author. Click on the link above to learn more!

About The Book

The book begins with meeting Trisha. Trisha can paint and draw very well, but has trouble reading. Unfortunately, Trisha feels that she is dumb because she cant read very well and often felt different than the other students. She even gets bullied by a boy and begins to feel unsafe and sad. But she is saved, by Mr. Falker, who not only stops the bullying but also helps Trisha read and figures out that she is Dyslexic. 

The book is heart felt and just down right amazing. Upon reading the book I felt moved by the story yet over joyed by the success of Trisha. I recommend it for any classroom. 

Lesson

Purpose: To understand the authors purpose of the story. 

Pre-assessment: Discuss what authors purpose means!

Lesson: Inform students that an authors purpose is to either, persuade, entertain,  or to inform.  Discuss what each term means by creating a class chart! Then ask the students what they think the authors purpose is? Once they have decided that it is to inform, then have students write a short response as to why.

Post assessment: Looking at the short response and taking notes on the class discussion. 

Press Here

Press Here

By Herve Tullet

Genre: Fiction

Grades: Pre-kindergarten to third

(May be appropriate for several age groups depending on disability) 

Lean more about Tullet!

About The Author

Born in 1958 in Normandy, Tullet made his first book in 1994, Comment Papa a rencontré Maman.   The book received recognition right away, and got the Prize for Non-Fiction. Many of his books are for early childhood, as they are not just reading books, but also books that are touch and feel based. He studied fine and decorative arts and in turn worked as an Art Director for 10 years. For more information click on the link above!

About The Book

Press Here, is a fun interactive book that gives directions to its readers! As a reader follows the words they change and alter the colors on the page creating a series of movements. Students can turn the lights on and off, put objects to the right side of the book or the left. The best part is that it keeps students moving activity while reading the book, students with ADHD could greatly benefit from a book like this. 

Lesson

Purpose: To help students with special needs in comprehension and sequence. 

Pre-assessment: Allow the students to read the book for the first time and view their interaction with it. 

Lesson: A major part of this lesson is just reading the book and completing the actions. Students may need help at first, several reads may need to be completed. Once the students have read the book then a simple work sheet for sequence can be used. Such as the first touch in the story was to _______, or after shaking the dots then I _______. Using fill in the blank or a word box would be extremely beneficial. 

Post-assessment:  After the second read, or several reads watch the students interaction with book. The assessment is the students ability to comprehend the actions written in the book, or the worksheet with sequence.