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Kathleen - Jan Brett's beautiful website: http://www.janbrett.com
meeha/ece/tx - i love her site! haven't downloaded items (time consuming), but do look there for ideas!
Kathleen - So, do you have a favorite Jan Brett book?
meeha/ece/tx - i really don't have a favorite -- I really love her artwork and the stories she chooses!
meeha/ece/tx - you?
Kathleen - My favorite would be The Mitten, the first of her books I was expsoed to
meeha/ece/tx - the art work, esp. the border work, gives each page such a special feeling!
Kathleen - yes, and there is so much meaning in every illustration. I always think I would like to take a class about Jan Brett illustrations
meeha/ece/tx - wouldn't that be an interesting class!
Kathleen - As I recall, there is information available on Jan Brett's site and in her mailings about the illustrations
meeha/ece/tx - i own several of her books, some i've not seen since unpacking in my house 18 months ago! i'm still looking.
Kathleen - I have a review copy of her new "The Night Before Christmas", it's beautiful, no surprise there!
Kathleen - I went to get the ones I own today and couldn't find them either!
Kathleen - Do you have The Trouble With Trolls?
meeha/ece/tx - Yes -- I have that and the Wild Christmas Reindeer!
meeha/ece/tx - When does Night Before come to book stores?
Kathleen - Yes, I have Wild Christmas Reindeer, too. I have the audio tape to accompany it
Kathleen - The Scholastic Book Club has Night Before... in the Nov. flyer, not sure about book stores
meeha/ece/tx - I'll check out the paper -- haven't looked too closely yet -- my last order just came in!
meeha/ece/tx - hard cover or paperback?
Kathleen - See Saw has it for November
Kathleen - hard cover
meeha/ece/tx - When we do our TEXAS unit, the kids enjoy Jan's Armadillo Rodeo!
Kathleen - I'm not familiar with that one. What is it about?
meeha/ece/tx - A little armadillo that follows a girl in rodeo garb from home to a rodeo -- and all the mischief it gets into! really talks about the poor eyesight armadillos have. Fun story!
Kathleen - I'm trying to picture the Texas theme in her illustrations, when usually she has a Scandinavian design
dimples - can anyone comment on the new book called the hat?
Kathleen - Yes, armidillo is one of her books. I have The Hat, it's similar to The Mitten
dimples - the hat is on sale at our book fair and I was wondering if there are any lesson plans for it yet
meeha/ece/tx - I"ve only heard about THE HAT -- look forward to finding a copy for my personal library!
Kathleen - Actually, I bought The Hat at the end of winter season and never used it, it's in my winter theme box.
meeha/ece/tx - you could have so much fun extending that -- read the hat and the mitten, then have the kiddos write another book (maybe the sock or the shirt) along the same theme!
Kathleen - dimples, yes there are activities, we'll talk about some on Dec. 8, and you can find some at Jan Brett's beautiful website: http://www.janbrett.com
Kathleen - On Dec. 8 our meeting topic is "Activities to Accompany Jan Brett Books"
Kathleen - Is there a hedgehog in the Armadillo book?
meeha/ece/tx - we're giving her all this good billing -- we should invite her to step in to the chatroom while we discuss her books!
meeha/ece/tx - i don't recall one -- just looked and don't see my copy on the bookcase here -- i'll have to find it, too :0(
Kathleen - http://www.teachers.net/bookshelf/shopping/booklist6.html#Brett. They are available at a discount and it helps Teachers.Net if you order through our links
redhead - Hi, looking for ideas to enhance my lessons on The Mitten and The Hat
meeha/ece/tx - i wonder if comparing the ability of the different construction of mittens and hats (knitted or crocheted vs. tight stitched woven fabric) might be an interesting extension!
diane - I am featuring Jan Brett as the December, January author on my web site. I am anxious to hear what others have to say and learn more about her books=and activities that go with them.
TABS*K*MO - I like the newer one "The Hat"
Chris /md/ *1* - There is so much to see on one page. It is almost a visual overload.
TABS*K*MO - I like her Christmas books, the Trolls, the Twelve Days of Christmas
Chris /md/ *1* - The Wild Christmas Reindeer is another good book.
TABS*K*MO - I have that one too
Chris /md/ *1* - What are somethings that your kids like to do with her books?
TABS*K*MO - she has some very nice masks that go with her books that you can download
Chris /md/ *1* - Tabs, yes. I like the video on drawing the hedgehogs.
TABS*K*MO - we use her masks to act out the stories
diane - her web site is wonderful and she will send you a teacher packet.
TABS*K*MO - diane, what did you get in your teachers packet
diane - her books are beautiful-candy for the eye
diane - I haven't received teacher packet yet
Kathleen - diane, I love that, "candy for the eyes" ;-)
diane - stole it from my web site- I am writing about Jan Brett
meeha/ece/tx - i must agree with your description of her books, diane!
diane - Does anyone have activities for her books?
chris - With so many good books, it is strange how you always go back to one of Jan Brett's/
diane - How do you really share the borders with kids?
meeha/ece/tx - i have several of her books -- just can't seem to find all of them since moving :-(
Kathleen - diane, do you find it's best to use the books in small groups? (I have The Mitten big book, but no others)
chris - I try to start with simple borders. We discuss what borders are and look for them as we read books. The kids really get a kick out of finding a border.
diane - If I am going to read a book- whole class is best
diane - Maybe they just get a taste and then look later by themselves
chris - I will read whole class also.
chris - I have as many books out as I can so that the kids can choose them during the day.
Nan - Can you tell me what you mean by a "border?" Visual, verbal?
diane - I am finding it difficult to finish books- my kids have too much to say
Kathleen - Yes, whole group for the first reading, then share and discuss illustrations in small group. maybe with parent volunteers??
diane - What's a parent volunteer?
Kathleen - Nan, are you familiar with books like The Mitten with border illustrations?
Kathleen - diane, pre-k?
chris - The borders are visual and very important in the story. A lot of times the border gives a preview of what will happen on the next page.
diane - I teach-first-second multiage
meeha/ece/tx - a good place for writing, diane!
Nan - NO, I've heard the title, but have not actually read the book.
diane - Nan, the margins around the text of the story is beautifully inllustrated.
Kathleen - Nan, The Mitten isn't the only Brett book with border illustrations, in fact, the ones I'm familiar with all have them
diane - The borders give indications of what is going to happen in story
meeha/ece/tx - i wonder if we could photocopy a page -- use the border and leave the inside space blank so the kiddos could write about the page in the border?
Nan - Do you think Brett's book would appeal to h.s. juniors-seniors? I do reading-writing workshop and have used pattern books and picture books with good results.
diane - Nan, there are two Christmas titles
Kathleen - na, they are very appealing for all ages, rich in culture and symoblism
meeha/ece/tx - i think yes, Nan! they provide such a revisit to old favorites!
Kathleen - symbolism
diane - The Wild Christmas Reindeer and the Christmas Trolls
chris - I think the illustrations would attract children of any age. In the Three Bears, there are bears all over.
Kathleen - Now "The Night Before Christmas" brand new
Nan - The Night Before Christmas would work, I'm sure, when I ask students to write modern versions of that rhyme.
diane - On Jan Brett's website- there are coloring book pages-one is winterfarm
Kathleen - Well, if we love the books, why not college students?
diane - The stories don't have a pattern per se.
Kathleen - Nan, just have them research the culture in the illustrations...for example, in the Mitten (I think) the cranes nest on the roof has significance..it is considered good luck when a crane nests on one's house (is the location Sweden??)
Kathleen - Norway?
meeha/ece/tx - i like using several different versions of stories and letting the kids compare / contrast the different authors and illustrators. (Even my sp. needs little bits find differences and things they like /don't like!)
Kathleen - Come back on Dec. for another Jan Brett book discussion-activities
Kathleen - Yes, and The Mitten is excellent for that purpose
Kathleen - We use Venn diagrams for comparing two versions of The Mitten
meeha/ece/tx - City Mouse / Country Mouse and The Three Bears work well for this, also!
Kathleen - Do you like Berlioz the Bear?
meeha/ece/tx - vhat shall vhe do?
meeha/ece/tx - Beriloz -- I've not read, only heard a bit about!
Kathleen - That's my least favorite of the JB books I own
Kathleen - Ahn, there's Nan! :-)
meeha/ece/tx - seems like the story centers around a vest and some other article of clothing???
Nan - One of my elem. teacher friends raves about Jan Brett, so I decided to come to chat about her. I'm glad I did.
Kathleen - You, know, I can't seen to remember the story, but thought it had to do with musician animals. Maybe I'm confused!
Kathleen - Oh, Nan, when you own one Jan Brett book, you'll want to collect them!
meeha/ece/tx - i'll second that, Kat
Nan - What would I do with another collection--add on a library??
Kathleen - I met Jan Brett at a booksigning once. She's is very charming, very appealing, attractive.
meeha/ece/tx - At this point all of her books should fit into a cheerios box! Maybe it wouldn't be so bad!
Nan - May I assume The Night Before Christmas is available now?
meeha/ece/tx - I've only read one of the letters she wrote to a class who wrote to her -- very engaging correspondence!
Kathleen - nan, I know that it is offered in the Nov. Scholastic See Saw Book Club
Mary K&1 - I see the least favorite book listed, was the most favorite discussed?
Kathleen - I have a review copy, unbound, but beautiful
Kathleen - The Mitten is my favorite, we can talk about favorites again, what is yours, Mary?
Nan - Thanks for the tip, Kathleen, I'll check with one of our teachers who gets SeeSaw.
meeha/ece/tx - seems to be The Mitten with a lot of talk about the HAT!
Mary K&1 - The Three Bears
Mary K&1 - The Art Work is so beautiful
Kathleen - I like the Three Bears, too, but I don't think I own it
Shelly - Hello everyone! I was planning on doing a unit on The Mitten and The Hat during the winter I live in a very diverse area and am tryng to do an alternative to "holiday" activities. I also saw that there is a listening center for the Mitten in the December See Saw.
Nan - I agree about the art work--even on her web site.
Nan - There are some good teacher ideas for her books on the website, too, but I didn't take the time to explore them all tonight.
Mary K&1 - The Night Before Christmas is one I'll have to get to add to my collection of books of the Night Before Christmas
Mary K&1 - I bet the art work in it is just wonderful
Kathleen - Shelly, I didn;t see the Dec. brochure yet, thanks for the tip!
Kathleen - I have Annie and The Wild Animals, too. having trouble remembering the story line! But I can visualize the illustrations:-)
Shelly - The December See Saw has the Mitten Liting center for $9.95 and a Jan Brett winter pack. There are three of her ooks for $4.95-Berlioz The Bear, The Wild Christmas Reindeer and TheTwelve Days ofChristmas
meeha/ece/tx - hello new_k_tchr! glad you found us! What's your favorite Jan Brett book?
Shelly - Does anyone have any good extensions for The Hat or the Mitten?
NEW_K_TCHR - It would have to be The Mitten
Kathleen - New, me too, do you have The Hat? very similar in its appeal
NEW_K_TCHR - I think I have everything except Comet
Kathleen - New, then be sure to mark your calendar: Dec 8 we'll chat about activities to accompany Jan Brett Books
NEW_K_TCHR - I just got my copy of Night Before Christmas!
Kathleen - NEW, it's beautiful, eh?
NEW_K_TCHR - Of course!!
meeha/ece/tx - Comet?
NEW_K_TCHR - Comet's Nine Lives
meeha/ece/tx - hadn't heard about that one -- i'll have to check it out. thanks!
NEW_K_TCHR - Something about a cat, a lighthouse, and New England
Kathleen - New, I didn;'t know that about Comet, have to get it! I'm in New England. Jan Brett lives in Mass, on the shore
meeha/ece/tx - i love lighthouses -- grew up in MI -- that makes it even more appealing!
Kathleen - Well, I have to leave. Be sure to return for the Dec. 8 chat about activities to accompany Jan Brett's books! Shop for Jan Brett books through links on the Teachers.Net Booklist page at http://www.teachers.net/bookshelf/shopping/booklist6.html#Brett
Kathleen - Goodnight and thank you for supporting Teachers.Net events!
