Why I Love The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie [Lesson Plan]

Yesterday I read my class The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie by Chris Van Allsburg.

When I decided to write this book review and started to do a little research, I was very surprised to see how many readers didn't like it. And I mean REALLY didn't like it.

Why?

Mostly because they felt that Van Allsburg's message was too strong and too sad for young children.

I disagree with that outlook and I'll explain why further down!

A Fractured Fairy Tale Book Review

I just love fractured fairy tales and The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, The Wolf, and Grandma did NOT disappoint!  And when I read it to my class of 6 and 7-year-olds they thought it was hilarious.

Author and Illustrator: Diane and Christyan Fox

Publishing Info: Scholastic Press, 2014

Theme: Fiction, Fractured Fairy Tale

Suitable For: Ages 4 to 8

Opening: "What's this?" "It's a story about a little girl ... who always wears a red cape with a hood."

Synopsis: Cat tries to tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but Dog, who absolutely adores super heroes, keeps interrupting, convinced that Red Riding Hood must have some super powers.

Why I Like This Book: I really enjoyed the exchange between the cat and dog. The dog interrupts constantly but his questions are good ones, and encourage the reader to think about fairy tales and the messages they send.

My favourite comment by Dog is near the end of the book when Cat says, "And they all lived happily ever after." Dog is thinking "I'm not sure that the wolf was very happy in the end." Which is perfect, because that never gets talked about, does it? The fact that the wolf gets killed, as though that kind of violence is an acceptable way for solving a problem.

Spring Art Gallery: Children's Art

It's time for another art tour of my school! I love to walk around our halls and snap pics of all the beautiful artwork the kids create.

These stunning tulips were created by one of our Grade 3 or 4 classes. They were made with felt pens and a black sharpie.

 

FREEBIE: May Poems

Using weekly poems in the classroom is one of my favourite ways to teach reading.

And happily, I have a BIG May poetry FREEBIE just for you! This 30-page collection of May poems is going to make your teaching life SO much easier!

Easter Bunny Art and Book Review

Yesterday my class and I were talking about Easter. One of the kiddies said that her Easter last year was very strange because the Easter bunny showed up the next day! Then another child said the Easter bunny didn't even come to his house, but instead showed up at Grandma and Grandpa's!

Click to purchase on Amazon

Right then I knew I had to read them The Big Bunny and the Easter Eggs because THIS book explains why sometimes Easter might just be a little strange.

Easter Colouring Freebies

I have a couple of cute Easter egg colouring pages for you today!

They're sure to be a big hit with your class. 

Free Snowball Subtraction Game

Learning to subtract in Grade 1 can be tricky sometimes. Especially when you start working with numbers 11 to 20.

We've been learning how to add and subtract to 12 but now we're upping the ante and going all the way to 20.