Why picture books for 4th graders? Picture books are an engaging way to begin a new topic in class, practice key ideas like theme and word choice, help students make text to self connections, engage with higher level thinking and questioning, talk about difficult topics, and even practice social and emotional skills. For my students, all of those points are important, but especially the last two.
I want my students to find characters that are just like them. Because many of my kiddos come from home situations with high trauma, it's so important to me that they find ways to understand and deal with what is happening in their lives. Even just hearing a story with similar situations to things they have experienced or with characters who look or act like them can be incredibly comforting for my students. In addition, picture books offer a safe way to explore emotions and provide positive, safe examples on how to deal with difficult situations and feelings.
So again, why picture books? To quote the picture book queen, Ramona Recommends, I want more picture books for my classroom because, "I want them to find that one book could be the hope they needed. That would book could be the reminder they are important. That one book could be the moment they realize they are a reader. That one book could help them overcome depression. That one book could be the book they share with their best friend. That one book would be best day of their life. That one book could tell them it’s okay. That one book could make them belly laugh. That one book could make them read English. Maybe that one book will change a student's life."
About my class
Why picture books for 4th graders? Picture books are an engaging way to begin a new topic in class, practice key ideas like theme and word choice, help students make text to self connections, engage with higher level thinking and questioning, talk about difficult topics, and even practice social and emotional skills. For my students, all of those points are important, but especially the last two.
I want my students to find characters that are just like them. Because many of my kiddos come from home situations with high trauma, it's so important to me that they find ways to understand and deal with what is happening in their lives. Even just hearing a story with similar situations to things they have experienced or with characters who look or act like them can be incredibly comforting for my students. In addition, picture books offer a safe way to explore emotions and provide positive, safe examples on how to deal with difficult situations and feelings.
So again, why picture books? To quote the picture book queen, Ramona Recommends, I want more picture books for my classroom because, "I want them to find that one book could be the hope they needed. That would book could be the reminder they are important. That one book could be the moment they realize they are a reader. That one book could help them overcome depression. That one book could be the book they share with their best friend. That one book would be best day of their life. That one book could tell them it’s okay. That one book could make them belly laugh. That one book could make them read English. Maybe that one book will change a student's life."
Read more