Bibliographic
Information: The
Name Jar
by Yangsook Choi (illustrator) Knopf Books for Young
Readers; 1st ed edition (July 10, 2001)
Summary: The
Name Jar is about a young girl named Unhei who has
recently immigrated to
Recommendation
for Parents: The
Name Jar is a
beautifully illustrated book that touches on topics ranging from family
to
friendship, as well as culture and individual identity. Yangsook
Choi presents
realistic characters that children can easily relate to no matter what
their
background may be. Many young children, in an effort to fit in,
question their
identity and I believe that this story illustrates the beauty and power
that
comes from simply being yourself. The Name Jar can be a
wonderful tool enabling parents to begin
meaningful discussions with their children about issues of identity,
family,
and friendship.
Recommendation
For Other Teachers:
The Name Jar
has beautiful illustrations that children love and a storyline that is
easy to
follow, yet this seemingly simple book can spark thought provoking and
significant conversations about friendship and the importance of a
welcoming
and loving classroom community. When I read this book to my own class,
I was
pleasantly surprised by the eloquent and heartfelt statements and
observations
made by my students. The Name Jar would be the perfect book
when working
with lessons on tolerance or diversity.
Personal
Note: I have
read this book in my own classroom and
was surprised and excited by the positive response I received from all
my students.
The Name Jar can be used in a variety of lessons such as:
- Name
meanings: Students can look up the meanings of their own names or ask
their parents why they were given the name they have. Students can
share their name meanings and the history behind their individual names.
- Students
can draw a representation of what they believe their name looks or
feels like. Discuss how color, texture, and movement can relate to
feelings, emotions, and actions. This could be a very abstract and
unique art project that will allow students to express themselves in a
truly individual way.
The Name Jar is an
amazing book that lends itself to a
number of innovative, creative, and meaningful lessons and class
discussions.
Bibliographic
Information:
The Snowflake by Neil Waldman (illustrator) Lerner Publishing
Group
(2003)
Summary: The
Snowflake follows the life of one individual snowflake
throughout the course of a year. The story indirectly describes the
water cycle
by demonstrating the various stages as illustrated through the life of
the
snowflake, from perspiration to evaporation and condensation.
Recommendation
for Parents: The
Snowflake is not your
typical narrative read aloud book, but it can prove to be both
entertaining and
enlightening. The beautiful illustrations marvelously chronicle the
journey of
a single drop of water, a single snowflake. Waldman writes with clear
descriptive words that children of all ages can understand. Not only is
this
book fun to read, it is extremely educational and details the various
phases of
the water cycle.
Recommendation
For Other Teachers: The
Snowflake is a
wonderful read aloud for older students who are studying the water
cycle. At
times students can be overwhelmed by the various terminology and models
associated with the stages of the water cycle, but I have found that
using The
Snowflake to introduce the scientific concept in a broader
framework helps
students to visualize and better understand the phases of the cycle.
There are
a variety of activities that teachers can use in conjunction with this
read
aloud. Students can use the story to directly map the life of the
snowflake and
then identify the corresponding cycle phases. Students can also attempt
to
demonstrate what a water cycle might look like using bodies of water
within
their own community and using The Snowflake as a model.
Teachers can be
creative with this book and find unique and thought provoking ways to
encourage
students to explore the water cycle.
Personal
Note: I was so
excited when I first found this book and was delighted by how my fifth
graders
reacted to it. After discussing and reading about the water cycle for
over a
week, my students were still confused and were unsure of what each
stage
entailed. After I introduced the The
Snowflake, students
seemed to better understand how the various processes (condensation,
evaporation, and precipitation) are carried out.