Volume I, Issue 2

WOW Stories: Connections from the Classroom is a regular on-line publication of WOW containing vignettes written by classroom educators about children’s experiences reading and responding to literature in the classroom setting.

Contents

Introduction: Opening the World through Literature, by Kathy G. Short, The University of Arizona

Creating a Vision of Possibility as Professional Learners, by Lisa Thomas, Instructional Coach

Practice Makes Perfect in Our Community of Practice, by Amy Edwards, fifth grade teacher

Exploring a Curriculum that is International, by Kathy G. Short, Professor, University of Arizona

Conceptualization as a Way of Thinking in Schools, by Lisa Thomas, Instructional Coach

Thinking Conceptually about Journeys through an Author Study, by Jennifer Griffith, first grade teacher

Mapping Our Understandings of Literature, by Jaquetta Alexander, second grade teacher

“Life is a Journey and an Iceberg”: Creating a Context for Conceptual Thinking, by Amy Edwards, fifth grade teacher

Encouraging Symbolic Thinking through Literature, by Kathryn Bolasky, third grade teacher

Writing as a Tool for Synthesizing Our Learning, by Kathryn Bolasky, third grade teacher

Moving Across the Arts to Consider New Perspectives, by Kathryn Tompkins, fourth grade teacher

Making Connections through Text Sets with Young Children, by Jennifer Griffith, first grade teacher

Encouraging Intertextual Thinking in the Classroom, by Kathryn Bolasky, third grade teacher

Re-Visioning the World through Multiple Perspectives, by Amy Edwards, fifth grade teacher

Taking Action with Young Children, by Jaquetta Alexander, second grade teacher

Exploring Action and Responsibility through Literature, by Jennifer Griffith, first grade teacher

Young Children’s Explorations of Multiple Perspectives, by Jaquetta Alexander, second grade teacher

Taking Action through Emotional Connections, by Kathryn Tompkins, fourth grade teacher

Exploring Voice and Responsibility through Literature, by Kathryn Tompkins, fourth grade teacher

An Iquiry on Taking Action: Exploring Human Rights, by Jennifer Griffith, first grade teacher, and Derek R. Griffith, Filmmaker

Editor
Kathy G. Short, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Production Editor
Rebecca K. Ballenger, Worlds of Words

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Babies are very good at being babies, and when they grow up, they’re very good at being big kids, too.

Eight-year-old Arun waits impatiently while international adoption paperwork is completed so that he can meet his new baby sister from India.

Tom is not happy about the arrival of his new baby brother until his parents show that change can be a positive experience.

 A young girl eagerly awaits the birth of her baby cousin, while growing more and more confused by the way her relatives answer her questions.

When the train that he is on is bombed, Yankele, a young Polish refugee from the Nazi invasion, is separated from his mother and wanders along the tracks, braving hardship and danger, as he searches for his family.

When a little girl leaves her little stuffed bear behind, young Meto must race against time to give it back to her and enlists the help of his friends, Hippopotamus, Lion, Elephant, and Giraffe.

A boy provides a look at life on the prairies of North America and describes the effects of the climate on the people like him who grow up in the heartland of the continent.

Tells the story of how the townspeople of an English fishing village come to the rescue of a sinking boat, told from the viewpoint of the dog who helps save Sinbad, another dog, from drowning.

Lucky tells how he has food, shelter, friends, and a bed, but he is missing an owner, even though he helps his pals in the shelter find homes.