This is a MF where a mermaid swallows different sea creatures. What's interesting is the little facts are given about the creatures, like how an eel's body creates fluorescent light that are included. I can see this book being used in a guided reading. It's a sequence book and I found a sequencing activity to go with it. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/There-Was-An-Old-Lady-Who-Swallowed-... #UCFWalterslit

The slug is a nonfiction book that uses humor to educate students about the topic of slugs and is part of the Disgusting Critter series. Here's an article with different ways the series could be used in the classroom. I'd pair it with a traditional nonfiction for compare and contrast. https://thereisabookforthat.com/2014/10/22/nonfiction-picture-book-wednesday-lit... #UCFWalterslit

Grace for President is a realistic fiction that helps explain the electoral process to young students. I could see this being used during social studies while students are learning about government. I found some activities that go into further learning on the election process for students. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Elections-and-Voting-Interactive-Not... #UCFWalterslit

This NF tells a story that took place between gandhi and his grandson. It teaches life lessons about anger and how to control it rather than letting it control you. The author gives tips on how to help students tell a significant story between them and an elder in their life. #UCFWalterslit http://www.grandfathergandhi.com/educators-librarians/ed-btc/

This HF allows readers to become a part of the story and make choices at pivotal points. How the reader chooses what happens next can change the ending of the story. This story is about an Indian tribe who is suffering from draught. The reader must find the kachina spirits to bring water. Here's a lesson that helps students write their own "choose your own adventure story". #UCFWalterslit http://writingfix.com/Chapter_Book_Prompts/CYOA3.htm

This NF told the stories of real people and their experiences with two of the biggest tornadoes in U.S. history. I found a video by the author where she goes deeper into her process for writing about the Joplin Tornado. She also asks some higher order thinking questions for students. #UCFWalterslit http://www.laurentarshis.com/i-survived/i-survived-true-stories-3-tornado-terror

This book is a modern fantasy that tells the origin story of the game, rock, paper, scissors. Rock paper scissors is how i taught my after school program kids settle arguments. I've read this to them and when they disagree they instantly play and 95% of the time the loser accepts the loss. I found a great book trailer and activities to match the book. #UCFWalterslit https://m.harpercollins.com/childrens/rockpaperscissor

The Who Is/Was series of books is a group of well written biographies for young readers. J.K. Rowling is one of my favorite authors and this was very factual. I even learned some new things. The series can connect to many subjects: world leaders, writers, political figures, ect. This common core lesson shows several ways to use the series in classrooms. https://www.teachervision.com/lesson/common-core-lesson-plans-who-was-series #UCFWalterslit

"Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world." - Auggie
This quote almost sums up this RF. Mr. Browne's precepts would be a great additional to the classroom and could help students connect their classroom writing with their personal life, giving it importance and sparking their interest. http://mrwreads.blogspot.com/2013/09/wonder-precepts-quotes.html?m=1 #UCFWalterslit

Trampoline is a poem by Shel Sylverstein. It was such a deep poem for a children's poem. It talks about always crossing paths but never being on the same page or in the same spot in life. I wonder if kids really catch that meaning or if it's something you realize later. #UCFWalterslit

This was a great modern fantasy. So many small stories that are interconnected pieces of a big puzzle that you have to solve. It may be difficult for some to follow how the story is written, but I thought out was fun and kept me guessing. Fyrian is the most adorable little dragon and you will fall in love with Luna. Kelly Barnhill does interactive classroom visits for her stories. https://kellybarnhill.wordpress.com/school-visits/ #UCFWalterslit

This is a historical fiction that follows Nate, an 11 year old boy who find himself in the middle of battle. What I enjoyed most about the book was after the story ended, Lauren Tarshis included some of her research and thought process for writing. It validates the book by giving students further resources. Scholastic has a lesson plan that teaches reading, writing, and language standards, also giving struggling readers a hero. #UCFWalterslit