Books...

I visited the Early Childhood Center Library here at work after the students left today -- I hadn't been able to make a proper trip any earlier. It is a wonderful library with knowledgeable librarians and thousands of books, which is right up my alley. At any given time last school year, I had about 60 books checked out of the Seattle Public Library. I made trips every two to three weeks, but now I have the luxury of books just one floor up and a few doors over, so I'm a very happy camper!

I had to look at the books a little differently this time, though. I have two students who know no English at all, and stories can be a great tool to teach language, but they have to have the right illustrations and be on the right subjects. These are very capable children, but they are not neccesarily able to understand my words. It is a challenge finding books that are not below a child's interest level. Baby books may have simple words, but is an ESL child going to want to look at that book or hear it over and over again? Chances are, no.

The most popular book in the classroom so far is definitely "No, David" by David Shannon. It is simple and funny, no matter what words you get. There is something universal about a drawing of a naked boy running down the street. And everyone can retell it themselves, and everyone can say "No, David, no!"

I made the following selections to start out our full day schedule. They are mostly my staple books, but I kept my Hebrew speakers in mind!

Things That Make You Feel Good, Things That Make You Feel Bad by Todd Parr
Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Quick As A Cricket by Audrey and Don Wood
Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly by Simms Taback
Lemons Are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
We're Going On a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, pictures by Helen Oxenbury
Like Likes Like by Chris Raschka
A House Is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman, pictures by Betty Fraser
The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort, pictures by Brian Karas
In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming
Today is Monday by Eric Carle
Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton

There are other books in the classroom in boxes, and I pulled some out before for our book area. Now it's time to find more shelving...

It is now 4:05 pm on Friday, and the first week is officially finished! I hope you all enjoyed your first week, or feel prepared of you're getting ready to start on Monday. Bon week-end...