Guest Reader - Book Recommendations?

[olliepop]

I am a surprise guest reader in my dd's first grade class next week and I am at a loss as to what to read. I would ask dd, but she's not supposed to know.

I also have to do a related craft. If anyone has any ideas, please share them.

[phathui5]

You could do a winter theme with books about snow and winter and animals hibernating, then have the kids cut out snowflakes and glue cotton balls to them.

[kathymuggle]

I would start by going to a public library and talking to the librarian.

She willl have numerous ideas and great kids books! Do not pick something too long for grade 1's - and funny or an element of suprise is usually a hit.

How much time is the book supposed to take? The craft?

Here is one:

The Very Hungry Caterpiller, Eric Carle

Craft: fold paper in half. Put blobs of paint along fold line (although some teachers do not like paint). Move fingers from fold to corners. Unfold. Beautiful butterfly. You can also make a caterpiller print with potatos, sponges or thumbs

[LynnS6]

My absolute favorite read aloud book is "Bark, George!" It's perfect for this age - about the right length, funny, with a surprise at the end.

It's a cute story with great illustrations about a puppy who doesn't bark, but gives other animal noises. Its mom takes it to the vet and then the vet pulls out a cat, a pig, a duck and a horse. On the way home, mom wants to show George off, so she says "Bark, George" and George says "Hello!" - so you can get the kids to figure out who he swallowed.

A craft... Hmm.... You could have kids cut out and past the other animals inside a dog, you could have them make the animals out of toilet paper rolls and pipe cleaners, or you could have them draw a picture of what they think was inside George when he says "hello".

Another idea would be to make animal masks and then have the kids act out the story. You can make pretty easy animal masks by printing them off on paper and attaching string. You could do the same idea with popsicle stick puppets - print off the animals and then have them color them and tape them to popsicle sticks and then act out the story.

[denimtiger]

"Help Me, Mr. Mutt" by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel. It is HILARIOUS... a story written in letters about dogs writing to a dog advice columnist about their people problems.

For a craft, you could make up some pet-related stationery and have the children pretend to be dogs or cats and write their own letters to Mr. Mutt or The Queen. More "crafty" the kids could choose between making a tiara like The Queen's, or a collar like Mr. Mutt's, or decorate some cheap pens to look like bones or feather quills.

[Daffodil]

My first grader thinks The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a baby book. Some she likes: Hedgie Blasts Off, Moo Cow Kaboom, Scrambled Eggs Super. I'm not a crafty person, so I'm afraid I have no craft ideas. Except Hedgie Blasts Off has some sparkly illustrations - maybe you could do some sparkly craft.

[mandib50]

now that i've moved you to books

i recommend any of the books listed in this homeschooling curriculum:

http://www.fiveinarow.com/FIAR/FIARBL.html

i've used most of the books in volumes 1 and 2 with my kids and they are great books that we've all enjoyed.

[meco]

Some books that have done well for us in this situation--

The Hello Goodbye Window
Tar Beach
Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes
My Subway Ride or My Taxi Ride

[olliepop]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I found Bark, George at the library. I will use that as the ice breaker and do a little game with animal sounds.

I also got How Full Is Your Bucket? (for Kids) b/c I thought it had a great message:

This book explains that we all have invisible buckets of water over our heads. The negative actions of others toward us can empty the buckets, and our own meanness toward them can deplete their vessels, too. Positive actions reverse the process.

Each student will receive a bucket (on paper) and a few water drops. They will write messages that would help to fill a classmate's bucket, trade drops, and glue to their own buckets.

Wish me luck!