Chicka Chicka Boom Boom – Are these in YOUR Classroom?
Posted by Michelle Dempsey, Book Specialist on Mar 29th 2016
There is nothing like a classic. A tried-and-true safe bet that always satisfies. Old reliable.
Grilled Cheese, Vanilla Ice Cream, Cracker Jacks, Charlotte’s Web.
If that made you hungry, great! Grab a snack and get comfy – and read up on why I have recently fallen in love all over again with these classic books from my, and very likely, your, childhood.
As an educator, both in the elementary school sense and in the motherhood sense, nothing makes me all warm and fuzzy inside than when a student, or my child, pulls one of these all-time favorites off of the book shelf.
Why? There’s a reason for their lasting presence in the reading world – they force readers to connect with the story, open up their imaginations, and draw from personal experience to make strong connections to the text. They provide the perfect blueprint to extend lessons, stimulate writing topics, and foster the necessary excitement for any successful classroom full of book-lovers.
Here are MY top-3, can’t-live-without-em, classics for the classroom:
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak, over forty years ago, put together this wildly fabulous read about a young boy frolicking amongst the “wild things” – giant, big-eyed creatures, that were more entertaining than scary - before getting sent to bed without dinner because of his antics. The humor and intelligently-created run-on sentences succeed in capturing students’ attention. I always find myself drawing on the energy that this book gave me 25 years ago, and distinctly remembering the smell of the old books in my Long Island neighborhood library – which always results in a surge of motivation - and the urge to keep this a favorite for another 40 years to come.
How do I love thee, Shel Silverstein? Let me count the ways. Well, for one, penning a tale simply on the power of generosity is surely the quickest way to my heart. This has always been a great read for me to start the year in my classroom – no matter the age level of my students. Because the central-message of this story holds very true to my beliefs as an educator, a mom, and a human being trying to navigate this thing we called life, I will always consider this a favorite classic for the classroom. Not to mention, it’s eerily comparable to the life of a teacher – we give, and give, and give, and give…… you know the rest of THAT sentence! (Just consider me, “the tree.”)
Because there is no end to the power of a Dr. Seuss book. Because there is something so captivating to kids about a funny-looking cat wearing a funny-looking hat. Because, vowels. And rhyming words. And the red bow-tie. Just trust me on. Google lesson plans for this one and you’ll be blown off your seat.
For an awesome list of 30 more classic favorites, check out this link – and feel your heart begin to leap and your brain begin to generate countless of ideas for your classroom.
Remember, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – stick with what works!
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Connect with one of our friendly Book Specialists via live chat, call us at (877) 855-5956, or submit a bulk book quote request today – we’d love to help you!