Spring is Here - Children's Literature in the Classroom


Reading Children's Literature Everyday is an important event in every elementary classroom.  There is a long list of reasons why reading aloud to children is beneficial to their reading achievement.  I cite 3 of the many just below:

1.   Reading aloud promotes a positive attitude toward reading and books.

 2.  Reading aloud helps to promote a longer attention span.

 3.  Reading aloud exposes children to complex language, which will help the children in all areas of their development, especially their reading development.  


 And here are some book choices for your reading pleasure now that 
Spring is Here !





Mole wakes up after his long hibernation and can smell Spring in the air, however Bear is still asleep having his long winter nap.  Time to wake up, Bear!  Mole wants Bear to celebrate the wonderful event.  He has quite a bit of trouble getting Bear to wake up, so he decides to gather eggs, milk a cow, churn some butter and bake some muffins!  And this seems to be exactly what Bear needed to wake up from his hibernation !  This is an engaging and awesome story about Spring and friendship. 
It is perfect for beginning readers.

The Wind In the Willows, Children's Literature


The Wind In the Willows 

by Kenneth Grahame

The Wind In the Willows was published in 1908 in England and 1909 in America.  Meet the characters... Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad.  Characters show numerous examples of good virtues.  Forgiveness, compassion, generosity, humility and hospitality to name a few.  I always encourage my students to read books that "make them smarter or nicer".  This book creates a natural springboard to discover and discuss the many virtues that make the world a better place to live in.  Toad can be a bit arrogant but he is able to learn to become more humble by the end of the story. Of course, he finds friendship to help him to this end. 

Here are some great quotes from the book:

"Beyond the Wild Wood comes the Wide World."

"It takes all sorts to make a world."

"As he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered."

"As one wakened suddenly from a beautiful dream."

"I have the gift of conversation."

"There is nothing--absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

"We chaff, we sparkle, we tell witty stories."

"Here today, up and off to somewhere else tomorrow!"

"A horizon that's always changing!"

"Everything seems asleep, and yet going on all the time."



When Spring Comes - Kevin Henkes
When Spring Comes - Book Companion

 When Spring Comes , by Kevin Henkes, tells the story of all the magical happenings when Spring arrives. Your students will love writing about this book.  Grab your book companion for this book HERE.  



Teaching Literacy and Life Lessons
with Children's Literature