Picture Books in Elem.

[nafmeadmin]

What are some good picture books that can be utilized in the elementary classroom? For example, books with lots of pictures and little words, and that repeat themselves like Polar Bear, Polar Bear. I would like to start a collection of books. So far I have “Where’s Peter Rabbit.” Any others?

[nafmeadmin]

“Rap a Tap Tap: here’s Bojangles, Think of That” by Leo and Diane Dillon. I have used this for years with K-2. On the left page is a sentence about Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and on the right is a refrain, which I have the kids sing and of which they play the rhythm.

“Charlie Parker Plays Bee-Bop” by Chris Raschka Excellent book for when you’re teaching Jazz. This book does not have repeated phrases, however there’s only one line per page and each is very similar. I chant each phrase and have the kids echo me. Used this up to Grade 4; the next year the kids remembered it and requested it.

That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. I’ll check my cabinet tomorrow morning; I’m sure there are more.

[nafmeadmin]

Awesome, I’ll have to check some of these books out! Thanks for your help, and if you come across anymore let me know. Thank you!

[nafmeadmin]

The Noisy Farm by Marni McGee, If you Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff (most in this series I believe have few words), Splat the Cat Sings Flat (any of this series I believe have few words – aimed at early readers, so they’re great for finding the rhythm of words, adding instruments etc. Also, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a fabulous book, based off the children’s song, lots of repeating phrases.

One of my faves is “What Charlie Heard” by Mordecai Gerstein is a lovely and fascinating biography of Charles Ives. This is a must-see. Illustrations include sound words to describe what’s goign on in the picture. No repeating phrases, hence it’s best for kids Grade 3 and up.

[nafmeadmin]

“Fiddle I Fee” by Paul Galdone (It’s the song Bought Me a Cat)-Aaron Copland has a wonderful arrangement of this folk tune!
“The Jacket I Wear in the Snow” (have the students decide on quarter-eighth note patterns for the pictures-then play them or create their own patterns)
“Jungle Drums” by Graeme Best (we drum Ostinati based on the ideas the main character feels)
“Who Killed Cock Robin” There are many wonderful versions of this folksong! (I like the one by Steven Mallory..it’s a mystery!-but out of print!)
“Drums of Noto Honto” You can do some cool Taiko drumming with this one! (Also out of print…many school libraries have it though)
Eric Carle books: “Have You Seen My Cat” “Brown Bear Brown Bear” “Grouchy Ladybug” etc.
Giles Andres books: “Rumble in the Jungle” “Commotion in the Ocean” They have wonderful poetry to add sound carpets, or use for improvisations or movement.
These are just a few off the top of my head…I have a cabinet full of books. I like all the others that were mentioned as well:)

[nafmeadmin]

I love using counting books like ‘One Hungry Monster’, ‘The Ants Go Marching’
Also song books like ‘Over in the Meadow’ and ‘Creepy Crawly Calypso’.
Also love all the ‘Click, Clack Moo’ books, ‘Pete the Cat’, ‘Rainbow Fish’ and ‘The Napping House’.
Hope you enjoy them as much as me!

[nafmeadmin]

One Duck Stuck – I have used this for movement
Tiki Tiki Tembo – great with the repetition of this “great long name” although possibly more wordy than you would like.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day – another oft repeated refrain, but wordy in between.
The Happy Hedgehog Band
The Bremen Town Musicians is great as a unit of instruction rather than a one time event. I read it over two class periods and students make animal sounds and do movements. We then follow up with a day for each animal: donkey day, dog day, cat day and rooster day. I also have used pictures of the animals to make iconic rhythm patterns (e.g. donkey donkey dog dog). We’ve even used the pictures to replace the items of “Who Has the Penny?”

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