Genre: English~Language Arts

Teachers and students often sigh at the thought of teaching/learning grammar and mechanics.  These topics tend to be dry and boring but are a crucial part of our academic success.  Adding a quality picture book can help liven up the concept, while being a great model for students of all ages.  English~Language Art Skills are introduced at a primary level and continue through school as stated by the Iowa Core. These standards are put in place to ensure success for all students in all academic areas.  "The Standards insist that instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language be a shared responsibility within the school. The K–5 standards include expectations for reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language applicable to a range of subjects, including but not limited to ELA. The grades 6–12 standards are divided into two sections, one for ELA and the other for history/social studies, science, and technical subjects. This division reflects the unique, time–honored place of ELA teachers in developing students’ literacy skills while at the same time recognizing that teachers in other areas must have a role in this development as well."  Choosing quality books for this category must include: accuracy, appropriateness as well as text type can help students have a better understanding of this abstract concept.

My Favorite Picks:

Cleary, B. (2005). Pitch and throw, grasp and know: What is a synonym? Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books.

Lexile: 510L
Complexity Band: 2-3

I love this series!  These texts are very cutely written.  The whimsical illustrations attract to young readers.  The text is simply written and appropriate for developing readers.  However, the theme of the series is complex and would make a great Read Aloud.  The series has a total of seven texts.  Each text is specific to a specific grammar category.  For example, this text I chose is all about synonyms.  The first page has a text box with a definition of what a synonym is.  The rest of the book is written story like with fun illustrations to capture the words.  Each synonym found on the page is highlighted by a bright color font to set it apart from the rest of the words.  Using this text to introduce the language arts concepts would be perfect.  Students could get the actually definition and then multiple examples of the concept.  Also, a great reference for students to go back and double check their own work or get new ideas.


Thomson, R. (2002). Grammar is great! Lewes: Thameside Press.

Lexile: 650L
Complexity Band:  4-5

This text is the perfect way to introduce early grammar skills.  Themes covered in this text include: capital letters, commas, connectives and simple writing tips.  The text is filled with colorful pages.  On each page the concept is introduced in a question format.  The text answers the question and then gives multiple examples.  This text is designed in the gradual release process, used by many classrooms.  After the concept is introduced, examples are modeled for the student (I do).  Next, students are given some practice but with limited options (We do).  Finally, the concept ends with a more challenging question that leaves the student on their own (You do).  The text is written to grades 4 and 5 but would be a great Read Aloud for primary grammar instruction.  This text would also be a great reference tool to have in your classroom.  Students can refer back to the grammar rules and they are explained in text they can understand.  A perfect addition for your classroom!

Genre: Music

Music has been around since the world began.  Banging on logs, shaking pebbles, blowing through carved out bones, clapping hand and stomping of feet signaled: celebrations, dangers, worships and even stories.  Every country has its own sounds, rhythms and instruments which reflects their cultures and people.  Listening to a favorite kind of music can bring comfort and pleasure and inspire new artists to find their creativity.  Music is essentially everywhere, why not include music in your classroom?  Music can add warmth to your classroom, increase concentration for auditory learners, challenging students to find the real meaning of lyrics, all while introducing students to multiple cultures.  Quality features to look for are: appeal, accessibility and appropriateness.


My Favorite Picks:

Gilbert, S. (2010). Play it loud!: The rebellious history of music. Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books.

Lexile: 1180L
Complexity Band: 6-8

This text talks about how music teaches us about social, political and cultural change that have taken place in our world. This text starts out with a small introduction to what music is and then leads into specific chapters on influential turning points.  The text explains the many movements that have taken place in music history, leaders of the eras, musical statements and the effects of their music.  The text is filled with actual illustrations and timelines of significant events.  Text features include: chapters, bolded vocabulary words, a glossary and additional sources in the back.  This book is best suited for 6th grade and above but would be a great Read Aloud as an introduction to a 3rd or 4th grade music lesson.  This text has so many functions in the classroom.  It is filled with dates and timelines as well as current events happening in our world at those times, so would pair up nicely with a history lesson.  This text could also be used as topics for a writing lesson.  Students could read and listen to the artists and how their lyrics play a role in what is happening around them.  Students could write their own lyrics telling a story of who they are.  A very diverse text to add to your library.


Walsh, K. (2006). Music math. Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Pub.

Lexile: 870L
Complexity Band: 4-5

This text links music to mathematics.  The students will learn important music vocabulary words while working math problems.  The book starts out by defining the word quartet and duet and then progresses into a math challenge "how many more people are in a quartet than a duet".   This text moves from simple problems, like the above, to more complex problems like, "A standard piano usually has 88 keys.  If there are 12 notes in an octave, how many octaves are there on a standard keyboard?"  The text ends with a challenge on how many songs can your MP3 player hold.  This text is suited for 4th and 5th graders but could be Read Aloud to 2nd and 3rd graders to work through the challenges together.  I think this text has a strong appeal to students due to the current up to date music formats.  This book is perfect for overlapping math and reading into a music setting.