Re: Books for 5th grade - Judy
Posted by: RD on 7/01/09
On 7/01/09, judy(almost)5ca wrote:
> Wow, I feel so loved today! So far:
> 1. Rules, Lord. All 5th grades have class sets and read this at the
> beginning of the year to "build community."
> 2. The Lighting Thief, Riordan. Again, class sets--this book is
> beloved by both of the other 5th grade teachers and they say "the
> kids LOVE it!" They read it aloud together to "illustrate MOT
> comprehension strategies."
> (I keep trying to convince myself to go along with my grade level the
> first year, but it's killing me. Neither book has literary value
> IMHO and the first is downright predictable. The second is engaging
> and lots of fun but I think it should be independent reading--an
> American Harry Potter really. And, worst of all, it's 350 pages
> long--do you know how much instructional time that would be?)
> 3. The Fighting Ground, Avi. Read this because I'm looking for text
> that is literary AND connected to state standards. It was okay, but
> I'm not in love. I'd definitely recommend it to kids, but don't
> think it's a class read.
> 4. heartbeat, Creech. Read this hoping for a replacement for Love
> That Dog when I teach poetry. PERFECT! I love it!
> 5. The Sign of the Beaver, Speare. I'm only halfway, but I'm
> thrilled! Lots of meaty issues to explore AND connected to standards.
> Soooo....2 out of 5. Any recommendations for how to deal with my
> grade level?
> Judy
>
'Rules' is on my shelf, but I haven't read it yet. I don't have the
Avi book. Now, I love the Creech, and it is a good replacement
for 'Love That Dog' (and Hate That Cat), in that it's more for an older
reader. Have you read 'The Wanderer'? by Creech? Beautiful book.
'The Sign of the Beaver' is one that I brought home to read this summer
(along with another 100 or so books, poems and short stories). I'm
thinking I'll read 'Touching Spirit Bear' before 'The Sign of the
Beaver' because it's -supposedly - more meaty, for my age group.
I'm going to think on which books you might like as class reads, Judy.
I haven't taught 5th, so I'll have to think about the age level, the
appropriateness . . ..
Have you read any Korman? I loved 'Schooled'. How about 'Pictures of
Hollis Woods' by Patricia Reilly Giff?
