The Daily Cafe

What's YOUR all-time FAV book for teaching a particular strategy?

#1

I know the literary lessons and ready-reference guides match books to strategies but I am interested in the books teachers absolutely LOVE to use for teaching a particular strategy/ies. What’s YOUR all-time FAV book/s for teaching a particular strategy? and why? Do you have any tips on how you use that book to teach the strategy? I am just starting out so this information will be very helpful to me and, I am sure, many others. Thanks in advance for taking the time to post an answer!

#2

For prediction and making mental images, I love “Just an Ordinary Day” by Rod Clement. I cover the outside of the book and read it to the kids so they can’t see the illustrations. We stop at certain pages, and think about what we see–sometimes a turn and talk, sometimes a quick draw of what something in the story looks like.

After the story is over, we share ideas and illustrations. Then I remove the cover and show them the real illustrations, which always surprise everyone!!

#3

I used Miss Brooks’ Story Nook this morning to model Check for Understanding, Interesting Words, and Accuracy.

#4

Wild About Books by Judy Sierra is wonderful for launching the reading workshop and use of the classroom library. Lots of fun.

#5

Great - I had never heard of those last two books! Thank you! Hope more suggestions are coming.

Books used for mini lessons
#6

New book for me–“What do you do with an Idea?” by Yamada. Great for introducing how to develop writing ideas. Lovely illustrations by Mae Besom.

#7

With young students, ELL or those who have never been introduced to Inferencing, I love Cookies Week.

#8

A new book I just got today–“Ask Me” by Bernard Waber. Great for coming up with ideas for writing.

#9

So cute - these books are winners! Thank you all for posting. [I hope this thread remains active for awhile…]

#10

I found a fun book Library Lil - This can be used for abundant reading, voracious reading, even good fit books ( at the end). Fun and cute story.

#11

Here’s one for text to self connection (and also for writing personal narratives)–My Apron by Eric Carle.

#12

I just found another book to add to my collection for teaching strategies. It’s called “How to Read a Story” by Kate Messner. It so fits with our beginning lessons. Starts out discussing how to pick a book, a place to sit, a partner to read with, predicting and what to do at the end of a book! Could be used over and over as a mentor text.

#13

The Napping House is my favorite and I don’t show the pictures until they’ve had time to create the image of the snoring grandma, dozing dog, etc…