20 Best Books for Kindergarteners

I'm dropping in today to share my most loved picture books for kindergarteners. This list represents my favorite authors, favorite characters, books that will appeal to both boys and girls, and a few the classics.  My children spent many hours reading these books, and I hope yours will too.  :)

There are so many fabulous books that are perfect to share with kindergarten students.  I had a difficult time choosing just twenty.  What books are on your list of favorites?

For more picture book ideas, be sure to visit Comprehension Connection and Reading Toward the Stars for their link-ups this week.  :)

Happy Reading!

Determining Importance

I'm joining my blogging buddy, Emily @ The Reading Tutor OG, for her Mentor Monday Linky. I'm a little late to the party, but let's just pretend it's Monday.  ;)  The topic this week is using mentor texts for Determining Importance.

Let's start off with a brief explanation of the term. Determining importance is a strategy that readers use to distinguish what information in the text is important to know versus what information is simply interesting to read.

• With narrative text, determining importance requires the reader to identify main ideas and infer themes of the story.

• With nonfiction text, readers must be able to sift through information and decide what is most important. The focus is on retaining important information and learning from the text.  

Stephanie Harvey and Anne Goudvis, Strategies That Work 2002

The Wild Rumpus

Finding the main idea and supporting details is often difficult for children.  In order to help students develop this strategy, we must provide explicit instruction-with teacher modeling and think-alouds- and many opportunities for guided practice with both fiction and nonfiction text.

The Wild Rumpus blog offers a poster {freebie} with a great explanation for students.  I love the visual this poster provides.

One of my favorite picture books for teaching determining importance is The Night I Followed the Dog.  It's about a boy follows his dog to see what the pet does at night.  He discovers that his dog wears a tuxedo, rides in a limo, and visits a club where dogs can get treats (without having to roll over or play dead).  Students adore this book!

Here's a video of Amanda Bynes reading this book for Storyline Online.  

After we practice Main Idea with fiction books, it's time to apply the skill to nonfiction.  I like using Rosie: A Visiting Dog's Story.  It's a book about a service dog that visits sick and lonely people to lift their spirits.  The main idea is clear and details are easy to locate.  

Finally, here are two graphic organizers for determining importance that you may want to check out.  :)

Scholastic

The Wild Rumpus

What are your favorite books or tips for teaching this comprehension skill?  I'd love to hear your ideas!  Leave a comment or link up with Emily to share your thoughts.  :)

Each Kindness {Freebie}

Each Kindness is a gem.  It tells the story of a young girl who learns the importance of her actions.  It sends a simple, yet powerful message that readers are unlikely to forget.  While this story doesn't have a traditional happy ending, it can open the door to a thoughtful classroom discussion about friendship and kindness.

Click here to visit J. Woodson's website.

Reading Level: 2.7
Interest Level:  Elementary

Themes:  Kindness, Friendship, Bullying

Summary:
Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya.  Every time Maya tries to join Chloe's group of friends, they reject her.  Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether.  When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship.

Click here to visit illustrator, E.B. Lewis's, website

Discussion Questions:  

• Who is Maya?  What clues does the text reveal about Maya’s personality? 
• Examine the illustrations in the book. What is Maya doing in each picture?  
• What can we learn from Maya's actions? 
• What happened to Maya at the end of the story? 
• Where do you think she went?  Why?  What clues in the text helped you?
• How does Chloe feel at the end of the story?  What clues in the text helped you?  
• How could Chloe have changed the outcome of this story?  Why do you think that?

Compare and Contrast:  After reading Each Kindness, read The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.  Guide students as they compare and contrast the two books.  

• In what ways are the characters of these two stories alike? different?
• Why do you think the characters act the way they do? 
• What did Wanda and Maya do to deserve the treatment they received? 
• What are the lessons we can learn from each book? 

Click on the image to download this Venn Diagram {Freebie}.

Graphics & Fonts by Melonheadz, Creative Clips, KG Fonts

Write a New Ending:   Think about how the outcome of the story would have changed if Chloe had chosen to show Maya kindness. Rewrite the story with a happier ending.

Letter Writing:  Write a letter to a friend.  Tell him/her all the reasons why you think they are special.

Journal Writing:  Write about a time when you did something you regretted. What happened?  What made you act that way?  How did you know it was wrong?  How did your actions make you feel?  What were the consequences?  Do you think that experience will change your future actions?

Make a Personal Connection:  How do you feel about meeting new students and making new friends?  Do you worry about what others might think of your friendships?  How would you feel if you tried to be friends with someone and they ignored you?

Make Ripples in Your Classroom:  Chloe’s teacher throws a rock in water, and says, "Each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world.”  Create a bulletin board with a large pond on it.  Each time a student is "caught" in an act of kindness, ask him/her to write the action on a paper rock and attach it to the pond.

Make Ripples in Your School or Community:  Challenge students to continue to spread ripples of kindness throughout their school and community.  Participate in No Name Calling Week in January or Random Acts of Kindness Week in February.

If you haven't read this book yet, what are you waiting for?  ;)  Hurry out and get yourself a copy.

A Special Announcement

I'm one of four bloggers featured today on our new collaborative blog.

Stop by Adventures in Literacy Land each day this week to meet the authors of the blog and read their introductory posts.  Be sure to enter the Blog Launch Giveaway for your chance to win one of four $25 Teachers Pay Teachers gift certificates.

EVERYONE who enters will win an exclusive prize pack.  Please join us on this new journey!

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