Nuts to You, by Lois Ehlert is a perfect read aloud for this time of year. Squirrels, nuts, birds, windows and screen doors. This squirrel is roaming about in summer but it is a perfect addition to animals and nature for the fall. Read along to find out the many math and literacy skills you might teach using these 2 November favorites.
READ ALOUD
Nuts to You! is an engaging story about a frisky squirrel who explores the bird feeder, then up to the window box and right into an apartment through a tear in the screen. Ehlert's collage style illustrations are a springboard for children to make their own. Read in a slow pace so children can view these marvelous illustrations. There is much to see on each page. Squirrel climbing, exploring and even upside-down at times. Reading pictures and illustrations are a must to comprehension of the whole story the author writes. The author chooses pictures to enhance
, embellish and deepen the story meaning. Your young writers do the same!
, embellish and deepen the story meaning. Your young writers do the same!
REmembering and retelling
Students engage quickly in this squirrel's adventures. They often ask to hear the story again and want to see the illustrations closer. Some plants and birds are illustrated over the pages and a sense of country fresh air on a bright sunny day delights the reader.
There is a glossary of 'Squirrel Talk' spills over the back pages. Interesting facts and information teaches about squirrels and their habits. You could say 2 books in one. Story and facts! I love when authors include some interesting facts and find my students do as well.
We read this book on Monday and work on reading strategies, phonics and math activities related to this book throughout the week.
RECALLING TEXT DETAILS
Talking about this book leads to remembering and recalling many text details. Students learn to have book conversations and build on each other's comments. Afterward, they can complete some writing pages with a partner.
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| find this page here |
Writing about the details in the story provides opportunity to think about how details add up to the main idea.
This book leads to numbers and counting as what else might you do with so many acorns.
Place a basket of acorns on your math center table and begin! Estimate, count, line them up in a row, play under the bowl game [addends to 10]. Children use manipulatives to understand number sense, counting, more and less.
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| nuts to you - number writing |
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| nuts to you - addends to 10 |
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| Get these Reader Response Pages HERE |
Another wonderful story for November is In November, by Cynthia Rylant.
In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter, and people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends... This book also teaches good reading strategies for early readers. Before reading this book aloud, ask your students about their prior knowledge about November. What does November look like? feel like? sound like? favorite activities for November? favorite smells? A picture or mental image about November will make a
self-to-text connection. Ask questions throughout the read aloud. Pause and pose ideas and thinking... Tune into new vocabulary and interesting words... finish this book experience with writing prompts about the book. Work with a partner, in a small reading group or independently. And share each other's responses to this book.
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| Writing Prompts to Use with this Wonderful Book |
