Colleen Adams (1)

The true story of the first Thanksgiving highlights the story of what actually happened on the first Thanksgiving. This is very important to teach children what actually happened that day. There are many stereotypes about that day that are taught in schools. It is important that children do not grow up learning negative things about other cultures. This story gives the simple story about thanksgiving told in a way that shows both sides. This was a large topic of discussion in our class that brought up many good points. This is a very impotent topic for not just children, but for adults as well. This is a problem that has faced our country for years. Hopefully there will be a switch in the opinion about native americans in our society, an the try story will begin to become the story that is alway told.… (lisätietoja)

This book from PowerKids Press is very a uneven production.

One of the problems is how the text was set. The letters are large, which I have no problem with, but there isn't any spacing between paragraphs and the overall effect is nothing short of ugly.

The other problem are the images. I really liked the use of classic artwork and the wood cuttings. But the switch over to garishly printed modern photographs was less than appealing.

Factually the book is better. Although I thought it was strange that the author wrote that during the first winter in Plymouth that the pilgrims planted crops. [Given the snowy environment that sounds strange.] And the I think the author missed out on an opportunity to point out that one reason that the treaty between the Wampanoag's and Pilgrims took place was because the Native Americans were tired of the Pilgrims robbing and stealing from them.

The BIG debunk is actually very mild. Mostly having to do with the feast taking place over 3 days, rather than one. And with small things like food selection and standing up insteading of sitting.

Can't really recommend. For a book at the 5th grade reading level, it's conceptually too simple.… (lisätietoja)

A book documenting the author’s trip to Chicago that lists the days and times she went to certain sites. Insets on pages include an analog clock with the times listed in the text and how to add or subtract minutes from those times to figure out how much time was spent at a place or how much time she had left to see another place. A number sentence is included for each problem. The book also lists facts about Chicago, the Sears Tower, the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry, Grant Park, Shedd Aquarium, the Old Chicago Water Tower, and the Wrigley Building.… (lisätietoja)

This book is informational, and there are black and white photographs on every page. The content in the book includes the life of Helen Keller and how she overcame being deaf and blind. The reading level of this book is second or third grade. Some of the topics in this book are how Helen got sick, how Anne Sullivan came and helped Helen how to finger spell, so she could understand what people were saying. The end of the book is about how she learned to help others even when she was deaf and blind. The curricular connection for this book is history and women's rights. Helen Keller was a very influential woman in American history because she overcame so many disabilities.… (lisätietoja)