Joyfully Weary

Primary Literature: On the Same Day in March by Marilyn Singer. This book uses poetic prose and bright illustrations to not only highlight different places around the world, but to also showcase different types of weather. A short author's note in the back of the book explains, in kid friendly terms, the scientific reasons why different parts of the earth could have such drastically different weather on the same day.  Vocabulary words to review stalking - watching intently, following boulevards - a wide street in a city, usually with trees or plants on the side crouched - low to the ground vanish - to disappear from sight

Primary Literature Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julie Rawlison, this is one of my favorite Autumn books! A young fox is perplexed when his favorite tree's leaves start to turn brown. He becomes even more dismayed when they start to fall. He tries to reattach them to the tree, but alas it is hopeless. When the last leaf falls he takes it home with him for the night. Still worried about his tree he rushes out the the next morning to discover a beautiful surprise. Not only is the plot delightful, but the prose is colorful and the illustrations are enchanting.  Vocabulary words to review tumbled - bouncy fall swishing - soft sweeping movement rustle - quick quiet sounds snuffled - nosy breathing crinkly - lots of wrinkles Complementary Literature Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger, a yellow leaf is afraid to let go of his branch.  Fall continues to happen around him but he remains to scared to let go until a leaf above him offers to make the journey w...

Primary Literature Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg. This biography briefly covers Johnny Chapman's life from his birth to his death. The prose appeals to young listeners and is easy for them to follow along. The whimsical and colorful illustrations are also captivating. Vocabulary words to review. tall tale -  an exaggeration of a story, has unbelievable elements tranquil - quiet and calm boisterous - noisy and rowdy cellar - a room below the ground orchard - land where fruit trees grow frontier - the edge of settled land/undiscovered Complementary Literature  The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons, tells tale of a young boy and the adventures he has with his apple tree. It offers a kid friendly explanation of what happens to an apple tree during the different seasons.  Apples   also by Gail Gibbons, explains in kid friendly terms the parts and life cycle of an apple. It also offers a brief history, shows differe...

I'm really behind on posting our kindergarten books. As I mentioned before , I've been battling a virus. I think I've finally got it beat but for the last couple of weeks I've had nothing left to give after the kids go to bed. Hopefully, this week I can get caught up. Primary Literature:    Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns. I like that this book includes a story and not just a bunch of facts about shapes. I wouldn't necessarily call the triangle greedy, just discontent as he gets bored easily and starts to think that other shapes are more important.  Unsatisfied with the jobs of a triangle he asks a shaper shifter to make him a quadrilateral. He quickly becomes bored with those roles too, and continues to ask for more and more sides. At the end, however, he discovers he's much happier as a triangle and asks to be turned back.  Vocabulary words to review dissatisfied - unhappiness angle - when the ends of lines meet quadrilateral - shape with fou...

Primary Literature :  Over in the Meadow, illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats . I choose this for our second book for a couple reasons. First, it's a classic counting rhyme, one that I wanted to make sure my children were familiar with. I also enjoy Keats's illustrations in this book,  they are entrancing! Finally, I find it fascinating how many versions of this rhyme/story exist. Many people credit Olive Wadsworth for writing this rhyme in the late 1800's but it may in fact be even older.  Vocabulary words to review Meadow - grassland  Chirp - a short high-pitched sound Even - equal/same Bask - to lie in a warm spot Shady - free of sun and heat Complementary Literature : We read a couple other versions of Over in the Meadow. by Olive A. Wadsworth and Anna Vojtech by John Langstaff and Feodor Rojankovsky  This book also has great illustrations, the colored pencil drawings are enchanting.  We  read a few similar t...

Primary Literature : Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ,  I thought this was a great book to start out with since Mini Man and Little Lady are still mastering their letters. They know the ones that are 'important' to them, like the ones in their name or the beginning letters of their family/friends' names, but still struggle with a few of the rest.  Complementary Literature : They memorized, ABC from The Real Mother Goose.   " Great A, little a,  Bouncing B The cat's in the cupboard, and can't see me." We read two of Bill Martin's other books: Chicka Chicka 123 and Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? On Market Street , is  a  cute alphabet book introducing all the merchants on market street. This is a Caldecott honor book and my children were completely mesmerized by the pictures...there may have been a little tussle over who was the first to look through the book when I was done reading it.  Bruno Munari's ABC , an...