First graders dive deeper into their study of what it means to create stories in collaboration with a story by the prolific storytelling pair, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. We explore how authors and illustrators come together to create a story that is both fantastical and grounded In this book's world a wolf's stomach is a cozy home for a duck and mouse filled with delicious food and records that play the best dance music. When the wolf is threatened the duck and mouse team up to defend their home.
Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen is the first of The Shapes Trilogy. The first graders continue to explore the worlds Mac Barnett creates as an author by diving into a trilogy set in the same imaginary world. We see how a storytelling changes based on the main characters and the world they exist in.
Square by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen is the second book in the trilogy the first graders are exploring We see how a storyteller creates a world in which we can predict what happens but also be surprised by the characters we follow.
Circle by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen closes out our trilogy. First graders have a keen grip on this world and find humor and suspense in the story. The boys begin to see how a storyteller can make an unfamiliar setting and characters into an immersive experience. This theme of how storytellers shape the worlds they create will be a current we explore this whole year.
Kindergarteners continue to navigate new stories and perspectives. Who would ever think that a school might be nervous for his first day of school?
This story also introduces our illustrator study of Christian Robinson, which will continue for the next two months.
Continuing our themes of perspective, the Kindergarten boys explore how even the smallest person can make a positive impact on the world. This supports the Kindergarten social studies curriculum, discovering how you identify as part of a community and how your actions impact the rest of the community in both positive and negative ways. (Also another example of Christian Robinson's fabulous illustrations)
Another by Christian Robinson is a story told in pictures, no words anywhere (except the cover and title pages)! During their small group lessons, the Kindergarteners are reading the pictures, picking up the visual storytelling clues, to decode this fantastical story of portals, cats, and doppelgängers over a few weeks. The students gain confidence in their storytelling and analyzing skills while engaging their curiosity and imaginations.
Second graders revisited a favorite from last year to practice their book blurb skills! Knight Owl by Christopher Denise tells the story of a small owl with a big dream, to be a knight and defeat a dragon. Filled with richly detailed illustrations, the kids were excited to point out the small parts of each picture that help create a fully-realized world and adorable story.
Ask Ms. Louis mlouis@browning.edu for username and password
