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
Part 1: Creating a Context for Professional Learning
Part 2: Developing Conceptual Thinking
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
Part 3: Considering Multiple Perspectives
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
Part 4: Exploring Taking Action
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 Inquiry 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
Aunt Eda’s Rule #9: NEVER—UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES— GO INTO THE FOREST. Samuel and Martha have just moved to Norway to live with their aunt Eda, and she’s taking some getting used to. She has too many rules, no TV, and insists that they eat local delicacies like brown cheese and reindeer soup. And then there’s the most peculiar thing about her—her irrational fear of her own backyard. Sure, Uncle Henrik hasn’t been heard from since he disappeared into it ten years ago, but that can’t be the forest’s fault . . . can it? Samuel is skeptical, until he disobeys Rule #1—Never go up to the attic—and finds an unusual book: The Creatures of Shadow Forest, which gives scary descriptions of the fantastic creatures supposedly living in the forest. So when Sam starts seeing strange things venture past the treeline after dark, he can’t help wondering . . . could Aunt Eda be right, and what really happened to Uncle Henrik? This highly inventive fantasy is full of amazing characters and unexpected twists that will elicit both laughter and chills.
The second book in the new Made In series of riddle books, Riddle of the Nile features Baby Crocodile. His dream is to become king of the Nile, but first he must solve a baffling riddle. His search for the answer takes young readers through ancient myths and modern mosques to the Great Sphinx, the New Library of Alexandria, and other amazing sights. Based on the author’s visits to Egypt, this crocodile’s-eye view of this ancient land is illustrated with collages inspired by Egyptian art. Adding to the fun are brief notes, a map of the Nile, and a Pyramid Fortune Game to make and play.
Two little girls—raised by wolves—have just arrived at the orphanage, and life will never be the same.Based on a true story, this book is about many things at once: family, friendship, and what it means to have a home.
Martin and his family are enjoying a sun-filled vacation on a beautiful Caribbean island–until they are stopped at gunpoint, blindfolded, and bundled into a truck that heads for the dense forest of the island’s interior. Pushed to their physical and emotional limits as they are forced deeper into the wild terrain, the hostages come to understand something of the harsh political backdrop of life on sunny Santa Clara, and the events that have shaped the lives of their captors and fueled their actions.
It is the sixth century in Aksum, Africa. Young Telemakos—King Arthur’s half-Ethiopian grandson—is still recovering from his ordeal as a government spy in the far desert, trying to learn who was breaking the Emperor’s plague quarantine. Before he is fully himself again, tragedy and menace strike, and he finds himself sent, with his baby sister, Athena, to live with Abreha, the ruler of Himyar—a longtime enemy of the Aksumites, now perhaps a friend. His aunt Goewin, Arthur’s daughter, warns him that Abreha is a man to be wary of, someone to watch carefully. Telemakos promises he will be mindful—but he does not realize that Goewin’s warnings are not enough to protect him. The Sunbird (“Intense, absorbing, and luminously written,” Kirkus Reviews, starred review) was the first book about Telemakos. The Lion Hunter continues his story, to be quickly followed by The Empty Kingdom—a two-book sequence called The Mark of Solomon.
In simple rhymes and brilliantly colored illustrations, 26 African animals come to life on the pages of this stunning alphabet book. Browne portrays insects and mammals in vibrant paintings that celebrate the bold tribal patterns of Africa.
“…catches all the excitement of a playground adventure…a great book to share with toddlers before any play date. It gets toddlers excited while, at the same time, shows them how three friends can play nicely together.”
Move over, James Bond— Daisy is going undercover!In this hilarious third book in the quickly growing series, Daisy decides she wants to play her favorite dress-up game: spies! But how can she accomplish her missions if no one understands her secret code language? Daisy is almost ready to call it quits when her mom gets into the action, and Daisy realizes that being a spy just might run in the family. The special friendship shared by a mother and daughter shines through this new Daisy tale, as does the fun. Children’s Book of the Month Club selection
“…helps toddlers make the transition from sleeping in a crib to sleeping in a bed. Sophie’s Big Bed is one of those books that will be loved and treasured by both toddlers and parents.” - Suite 101
