MARS NEEDS MOMS! Written by: Berkeley Breathe

When a disgruntled boy sees his mother being kidnapped by Martians, he realizes he loves her and will go to any lengths to protect her. This is a funny and poignant story of how the unique love that binds our families can be overlooked in the rush and tumble of everyday lives.

The Large Family, All in One Piece

Written by Jill Murphy published in 1987

Mr. and Mrs. Large are excited to go to a dinner-dance. Will their four children let them go off, and will they be lucky to get out of the house paint free? Thanks to Granny and only light hearted play by the children Mom and Dad escape! A fun short story and how pleasantly surprised I was when it grabbed the students attention. My two daughters read the 'The Large Family' stories at their elementary school in England.

Paul Dear, GR Montessori

Martin Luther King Jr. Day by David F. Marx is a great book for beginner readers or first-time learners about Martin Luther King Jr. It is a easy read with some very basic background information. 

~Deb

All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle

The story this week at Palmer is All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle.
Since it is finally winter and we have snow I love to read this book!
I introduce the book to the students and then ask them to think about
the items we would need if we went outside and made a snowman.
I love the students ideas and responses and then we compare their

ideas with what happens in the story.

A FINE, FINE SCHOOL By: Sharon Creech

    

                   When a principal loves his school so much that he wants the children to attend classes every day of the year, it's up to his students to show him free time is a good thing, too.     

                  

One day, Mr. Keene called all the students and teachers together and said, "This is a fine, fine school! From now on, let's have school on Saturdays too."

And then there was more.
School all weekend.
School on the holidays.
School in the SUMMER!
What was next ...
SCHOOL AT NIGHT?

So it's up to Tillie to show her well-intentioned principal, Mr. Keene, that even though his fine, fine school is a wonderful place, it's not fine, fine to be there all the time. 

☺MARIA☺

Mrs Toggle's Zip

Written by Robin Pulver and illustrated by R.W. Alley

Mrs. Toggle the teacher wears her big, puffy, fuchsia-colored Christmas coat to school and her zipper gets stuck and she is trapped in her coat. The students, the nurse, the headmaster try to help, but finally the custodian figures it out. It is a fun story to read and the students will enjoy it. The illustrations add to the fun.


 
Paul Dear, GR MONTESSORI
 

Under the Christmas Tree, by Nikki Grimes

                  

I know the holidays have passed once again, but I have wanted to share this beautiful book with you.
It is a collection of Christmas and winter poetry with very detailed drawings by Kadir Nelson.  It is not only the words that are rich and bring incredible imagery to mind, but the drawings speak a thousand words, as was said.  Expressions are both public and urban and private and familial.  Just love this book and so did the kids.  They were kind of breathless as they listened while viewing and many related to the scenes and shared exciting memories and traditions.
Remember it for next year!
-Georgine

  It's Snowing! It's Snowing! by Jack Prelutsky is a delightful composition of poems about winter. The are about getting stuck in the snow to ice skating to mom bundling you up. Check out this great selection; you might even have a laugh or two.

~Deb

Catalyst by Anderson, Laurie Halse

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson



Kate knows exactly what she wants to do after graduation - attend MIT, just like her mom.
Being a preacher's daughter adds chaos to her life.  All of her friends are being accepted into their colleges of choice...where is her acceptance packet?  Kate finds out who and what are the most important choices in life and how they become the catalyst for her.