Bringing Book Characters to Life in the Classroom with Collage

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Are you looking for an alternative to character profiles in the classroom? What about giving this project an artistic twist? You could always try some collage . . . 

 
Bringing Book Characters to Life in the Classroom with Collage. A teaching and learning blog post exploring an art alternative to character profiles and a way to explore texts more deeply #characterprofile #bookstudy
 

A collage is a piece of art created by combining different elements. In the classroom we often see collages made from coloured paper and magazine or newspaper cut outs, but you can also use fabric and other textiles, recycled materials, photos and other materials.

A collage is a great way to represent a character since it allows the creator to show different elements of a character and even the experiences they have throughout the story. It can be used to show a snapshot of a book or as a book report alternative.

Here’s one way you might like to approach this activity with your class

1. Identify the Features of the Character

The collage begins with planning. That may not be too exciting for the students, but it allows them to produce a higher quality piece of work and allows them to demonstrate that they really understand the character and the book.

Students need to identify the features of the character - the characteristics they want to represent in the collage. They might also like to represent relationships the character has in the story or make a reference to some of the most important events in the book.

2. Use Colours, Images and Shapes to Define the Character

Students need to consider what kind of collage they want to create. Are they beginning with the shape of a person (or animal, if the character is an animal!) and filling it in with collage. Or are they intending to fill the whole page with different elements of the character. This might be a decision you wish to make for the students - you can even provide them with outlines of bodies or heads - or you may like to let them make this decision themselves.

Once they have that worked out, students need to start adding in the material. What they use will be dependent on many things - including classroom resources, time and space, but you might like to ask students to bring in material from home, you might like to provide them with additional resources, or you might like to restrict them to particular materials - such as scrap paper in the classroom or recycled packaging or coloured paper.

Remind students to refer back to their characters’ features as they choose their materials, how much of it they want to use and how they want to place it.

 
Bringing Book Characters to Life in the Classroom with Collage. A teaching and learning blog post exploring an art alternative to character profiles and a way to explore texts more deeply #characterprofile #bookstudy
 

3. Adding Text and Other Features

Once the student has the basic shape of their collage down, they might want to consider what else they can use to make their collage meaningful. Some students might want to add words - they can use the features they started with - to highlight certain characteristics. Others might want to add a paint wash over the top to highlight some parts and dull others. Bits and bobs like sequins, bottle caps, beads, string or wool might be interesting additions, or students might like to choose nature elements such as leaves or sticks.

Don’t forget you may like to let the initial work dry before adding extra material.

4. What Can a Collage Tell Us?

Once students have finished their collages, they should take the time to reflect on their work and the choices they made. This can be done by writing down some ideas, by engaging in a discussion with the teacher, by recording their voice or by making a video. Students can point out the different features they have represented in their work and why they made those particular choices based on what they know about the character. 

Have you created character collages in your classroom? Share your experiences in the comments

 
 
 
 

How to Use Book Talks to ‘Sell’ Books to Your Students

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So, you’ve just bought a brilliant book to add to your classroom library. But how can you ensure that it doesn’t sit there, unloved and dusty? How can you make sure it gets into the right hands? The answer is . . . the humble book talk.

 
How to Use Book Talks to ‘Sell’ Books to Your Students. A teaching and learning blog post about increasing student interest and engagement in reading through using book talks #booktalk #readerengagement
 

What is a Book Talk?

A book talk is a speech or talk recommending that others read a particular book. The person giving the book talk stands or sits in front of their audience (or films or records themselves for their audience) and shares information about the contents of a book. They are working to convince the listener that they absolutely HAVE to read the book.

Teachers are well placed to give book talks to their students. They’re already there in front of them. In many cases they’re selecting (and buying) the books for the classroom. And teachers often have great relationships with their students. 

But what do you need to know when you’re planning to give a book talk?

What Do They Need to Know?

You should definitely start a book talk with the title, the author and the basic premise of the story. Students will want some information about what it’s about - but the challenge is sharing that without giving away too much information.

If the author or illustrator has created other books which are well known in the classroom, you might like to mention that. Students can be very loyal to creators who have given them a good experience in the past.

 
How to Use Book Talks to ‘Sell’ Books to Your Students. A teaching and learning blog post about increasing student interest and engagement in reading through using book talks #booktalk #readerengagement
 

You Know Your Audience . . . So Don’t Forget to Hook Them In

As the teacher, you’ve usually got a pretty good idea of the likes and dislikes of your students. Remember this when you’re talking about the book. What parts of the book will appeal to your audience? Will they like the characters? The language used in the book? The plot? The appearance of a character from another story or series? Make sure you refer to those parts in your book talk.

Tell your audience enough about the book to get them interested and then stop . . . let them read the book to find out what happens next. If it’s a novel, you might even like to read a little from the book to make it extra intriguing. 

It’s Ok to Share A Personal Response

While you don’t have to tell your students every thought you had while you were reading the book, you might like to share some information about how the book made you feel or how it’s connected to an experience you’ve had. This both gives the students more information about the book and allows them to see how it might connect with someone.

Don’t forget to be enthusiastic either! Try to get the book into hands as soon as possible (though you may need a sign up system for this!)  Use the book as a prop if you can so students can see the cover and remember it in the future.

Challenge them to give the next book talk

While it’s great for teachers to give book talks, students can be the best ambassadors for new books in the classroom. If students are interested in giving book talks, you can always offer them a new book and ask them to read it and talk about it. Letting your students ‘sell’ the books can help them jump into hands like hot cakes!

Do you use book talks in your classroom? Tell us about your experience in the comments

 
 
 
 

Examining Storytelling in the Classroom through Number the Stars

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If you are teaching Number the Stars in your classroom, it’s hard to ignore the element of storytelling. The author makes reference to storytelling at several points in the story, allowing it to frame one of the most important moments in the novel. Here’s some ways you can explore storytelling with your students.

 
Examining Storytelling in the Classroom through Number the Stars. A teaching and learning blog post exploring using the Lois Lowry historical fiction novel as a novel study #novelstudy #storytelling
 

Storytelling in Number the Stars

Early in the novel, Annemarie tells a story to her little sister Kirsti, helping her to fall asleep. She reflects on the stories which make up her life, including the stories about the king and the stories her mother told her little sister when explosions at the harbour occur on Kirsti’s birthday. 

As the events of the book push forward, Annemarie finds herself part of stories, the stories which her mother and uncle tell about a pretend funeral gathering in their house and the story of Little Red Riding Hood, which Annemarie tells herself as she runs through a twisting forest path on a dangerous mission.

As you explore storytelling, students can identify and discuss these moments. They might also like to see if they can find any more examples of storytelling in the novel.

Retelling the Story of Number the Stars

An easy way for students to engage in storytelling is to retell the story of Number the Stars like it is a fairy tale or a fable. They can examine the story of Number the Stars and discuss how it might fit into the structure of the more traditional stories. Students can write and illustrate these retold stories.

 
 

Why is It Important?

Why are stories important? This is a great guiding question which you could post to your students as they discuss this topic. Students can reflect on some of the different ways stories are used and some of the places you might find stories. They can look at the role of stories and when stories can do good or can do harm.

Students can also look at the role of storytellers and who storytellers are (or could be). They might like to look at cultures where storytelling is an important part of family and community and why stories are shared (and who is allowed to share those stories). 

Finally students can discuss how stories and storytelling are important when it comes to history. They can look at oral histories and what they tell us as well as the role of historical sources such as newspapers or written material like novels or plays.  

Create a Fairy Tale

To take the discussion of stories further, students can examine an event from their own life and how they might retell it as a fairy tale. They can look at the elements of fairy tales and reflect on how they might need to exaggerate or change their true story. 

Have you explored storytelling in your classroom? Share your experiences in the comments.

 
 
 
 

Why You Should Teach Number the Stars

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Some books you can just return to over and over again. For me, Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars is a book like that. I still have my childhood copy, which I think was a Scholastic Book Club purchase. It’s a little battered, but I still return to it to enjoy the beautiful writing and thoughtful story within. Here’s some of the reasons you should use it for a novel study in your classroom.

 
Why You Should Teach Number the Stars. A teaching and learning blog post about using Number the Stars by Lois Lowry as a novel study in the classroom #ela #novelstudy
 

Number the Stars is focused on Annemarie, a young girl living with her parents and her sister in Copenhagen during the Second World War. From the first chapter we learn that this isn’t the easiest life - a foot race home from school is interrupted by German soldiers who tell them to behave better. And as the story continues, we learn more about the impact of the war on Annemarie’s family and the looming danger to her friend Ellen who is Jewish.

As Annemarie’s family work together to help Ellen and her family, Annemarie is put in a difficult situation. 

Examining Historical Fiction

Number the Stars is a historical fiction book, a book based on real history, but with fictional characters. Although I’ve read it many times, until last year I’d never looked ‘behind the scenes’ to learn more about the history of Denmark in World War 2. 

This is a fascinating activity to engage in if you are exploring Number the Stars with a classroom - one of those times when the historical story is as engaging as the novel. Students can research the occupation of Denmark, the role of King Christian X and the rescue of the Danish Jews among other topics.

Asking the Big ‘Whys’ of History

As students identify the historical events covered in Number the Stars, questions of why these events happen are often raised. Number the Stars is a book which answers some of the questions, but also leaves many questions for further exploration. The behaviour of the soldiers is one of those questions - in the book the soldiers are never properly named, they are part of a system. 

It is important that students ask these questions, as well as questions about how books like Number the Stars can have lessons for us today. What can we learn from those events? What can we learn from those characters? Why is it important?

Examining Bravery and How it Looks Different 

In Number the Stars the adults in Annemarie’s life ask her to be brave, but it’s not a loud bravery that they need from her. Instead they need her to keep secrets, to keep quiet when it’s needed, to pretend to be someone she isn’t at the right moment. This bravery is essential to save lives, but it allows us to explore what bravery is - like we do in Coraline, Rowan of Rin and Boy Overboard.

 
 

Teacher Resources

There are four teacher resources for Number the Stars as well as a resource bundle available through Galarious Goods.

The Comprehension and Vocabulary teaching resource is a chapter by chapter study guide for Number the Stars. Different printable resources allow students to examine the comprehension and vocabulary of Number the Stars including chapter questions and more in-depth looks at an aspect of each chapter.

The Character and Setting teaching resource takes a look at the characters of Number the Stars as well as comparing some of those characters with each other. It also includes classroom activities where students describe and discuss the settings in the book.

The Whole Novel teaching resource encompasses the entire novel of Number the Stars. It includes reader response, retell, themes, discussion questions and creative activities.

The Digital Resource brings together elements of the Character and Setting resource and the Whole Novel resource in a resource designed to be used on Google Slides or other compatible digital platforms.

Have you read Number the Stars with your students? Share your experience in the comments

 
 
 
 

Book of the Day Teaching Ideas: The Flair for Imagination Edition

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Each weekday I share picture books for the classroom and teaching ideas over at the Galarious Goods Instagram account. Now I’m happy to share them here with you.

A Flair for Hair by Bilyana DiCostanza

Book of the Day - A Flair for Hair
Book of the Day - A Flair for Hair

What are some of the different ways hair can be styled? This book presents different hairstyles . . . and how they look on a range of different animals.

This is a great inspiration for students to explore how a hairstyle might be created and to create their own procedure text - it could be as simple as combing your hair or as complicated as braiding!

My Teacher for President by Kay Winters

This is a great book looking at the qualities needed for a great president - and the on-the-job experience a teacher has which might make them the perfect choice.

This is a great way to look at the different jobs a president does and to think about why those jobs are important.

Get the book study for My Teacher for President here.

Book of the Day - My Teacher for President
Book of the Day - My Teacher for President

Puffling by Margaret Wild

Book of the Day - Puffling
Book of the Day - Puffling

Book of the Day - Puffling

Puffling is just a little bird who wants to go out - but needs to be kept safe.

This is the perfect introductory text for looking at habitats - especially the habitats required for baby animals.

The House That Cleaned Itself by Laura Dershewitz and Susan Romberg

This biographical picture book tells the story of Frances Gabe - the inventor who designed and built a house which cleaned itself.

There’s so many possible activities to accompany this book, including asking students to design a device which would make their own lives easier.

Get the book study for The House That Cleaned Itself here

Read more about The House That Cleaned Itself Here

Book of the Day - The House That Cleaned Itself
Book of the Day - The House That Cleaned Itself

Rainbow Bear by Stephen Michael King

Book of the Day - Rainbow Bear
Book of the Day - Rainbow Bear

Why is Bear so colourful? This gently mystery allows the reader to explore what polar bears do . . . and to imagine them in different colour schemes.

Students can design their own rainbow bear, thinking about different colours or designs they might like to use.

 
 
 
 

10 Great Books About Space Exploration for Your Classroom

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I’ll admit it! In our family we are space fans. We watch documentaries and movies about space, we go to space exhibitions at the museum and we read space books. 

A lot of space books.

Here’s 10 of my favourite books about space for your classroom library.

 
10 Great Books About Space Exploration for Your Classroom. A teaching and learning blog post with a book list of picture books for every classroom. #booklist #learningaboutspace
 

1. Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker

With the success of the movie Hidden Figures, more people now know about the contribution of Katherine Johnson and her fellow ‘computers’ when it came to getting men to the moon - and home again. This lovely picture book memoir allows children to also learn about this history. It follows Katherine’s life from when she was a young, enthusiastic learner, through to some of the challenges she faced to get an appropriate education through to her achievements. 

2. One Giant Leap by Don Brown

This is another memoir, but instead of focusing on the hidden figures behind the space program, it looks at arguably the most famous public face - Neil Armstrong. In 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first person to step on the surface of the moon. In the book, the author chooses to focus on Neil’s childhood and his wish to fly and on the Apollo 11 mission and the moon landing. By choosing just 2 focal points, students are able to draw connections between the boy who worked hard to fly and the man who worked hard to walk on the moon. 

3. Reaching for the Moon by Buzz Aldrin

This beautifully illustrated picture book is written by the second man to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin. It’s a longer book by the first two, but a fantastic overview of Buzz’s life from childhood until the moon landing and a wonderful insight into what an astronaut is actually thinking about and why they think they were able to succeed. 

4. Moonwalkers by Mark Greenwood

Like One Giant Leap and Reaching for the Moon, this is a story about the Apollo 11 mission and the first moon landing. However, instead of focusing on the astronauts, it focuses on the people watching the landing back on Earth. Billy lives near The Dish, and he wishes he can be an astronaut. The book shows us the elements of the mission through Billy’s craft projects, through the games he plays, through his dreams and through the viewing of the first steps on the family television. Terry Denton’s illustrations are particularly wonderful in this book - especially the spread showing the 20 steps to get the astronauts to the moon and back again.

 
10 Great Books About Space Exploration for Your Classroom. A teaching and learning blog post with a book list of picture books for every classroom. #booklist #learningaboutspace
 

5. To the Stars by Carmella Van Vleet and Dr Kathy Sullivan

Kathy Sullivan was the first woman to complete a space walk. Like other picture book memoirs about astronauts, this one explores some of the interests and characteristics she showed as a child and compares it with their achievements as adults. This one doesn’t follow a linear narrative, though, instead going back and forward to make direct connections. This interesting story telling style is well worth exploring with students.

6. The Astronaut with a Song for the Stars by Julia Finley Mosca

This memoir of Dr Ellen Ochoa is a bit different from the other memoirs - because it’s written in a delightful rhyming style. As well as examining Ellen’s childhood, this book looks at the influence of her family and their experiences. This book also connects nicely with Reaching for the Moon - emphasising the importance for both Buzz Aldrin and Ellen Ochoa of learning more to achieve. This book with additional information and a timeline included is a wonderful way to explore persistence.

You can find a book study for The Astronaut with a Song for the Stars - and a free resource! - at the Galarious Goods shop

7. The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield and Kate Fillion

Chris Hadfield became well known for his communication and songs from the International Space Station. However, this book focuses mostly on a child, Chris, who loves space and rockets, but is scared of the dark. When he watched the Apollo 11 moon landing he gains a different perspective on the dark and the wonders it holds.

 
10 Great Books About Space Exploration for Your Classroom. A teaching and learning blog post with a book list of picture books for every classroom. #booklist #learningaboutspace
 

8. On the Moon by Anna Milbourne

This is a special book to me, because we actually bought it at The Dish mentioned in Mark Greenwood’s Moonwalkers! This is a book aimed at younger readers showing a young girl who is interested in space and the moon. The book walks through what happened on a typical moon landing mission, from the launch to the landing and home again. This would be a great one to have in a lower grades class or for new readers.

9. Penguinaut by Marcie Colleen

It’s amazing how many picture books feature animals deciding to go to the moon! This lovely picture book is one of those, following the story of Orville the small penguin who has a lot of big friends with big adventures. So he devises a big adventure of his own - a trip to the moon - which he will complete on his own. There’s a lot to explore in this book and it’s a lovely companion to the non-fiction books.

10. Curiosity by Markus Motum

On the day my son was born, a little rover landed on Mars. That rover was Curiosity and this beautiful book is Curiosity’s story. It tells the reader why rovers were built, how they were built and how they were launched to Mars. It’s a beautiful non-fiction book which examines the history of the rovers while allowing room for further curiosity when it comes to space exploration.

Have you used any of these books in your classroom? Share your experiences in the comments.

 
 
 
 

Book of the Day Teaching Ideas: The No Biting Edition

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Each weekday I share picture books for the classroom and teaching ideas over at the Galarious Goods Instagram account. Now I’m happy to share them here with you.

Wolf Won’t Bite! by Emily Gravett

Book of the Day - Wold Won't Bite!
Book of the Day - Wold Won't Bite!

When three pigs capture a wolf, they know they can do anything with him . . . because wolf won’t bite. This is such a good book for exploring how an author can build anticipation.

Students can explore the motivation of the three pigs and why they’re engaging in these activities in wolf. And how they might feel when it comes to the inevitable end.

I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon

This book explores what might happen when you happen to eat your best friend and you have to go on a hunt for a new friend. A funny story with an unexpected ending

Students can definitely use this story to explore what friendship is and what makes someone a friend.

Get the book study for I Just Ate My Friend here

Book of the Day - I Just Ate My Friend
Book of the Day - I Just Ate My Friend

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants by Philip Bunting

Book of the Day - The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants
Book of the Day - The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants

This beautiful non-fiction book is perfect for taking a closer look at ants - a must have for any mini-beast study.

The author excels at sharing information through diagrams and pictures in the text. Students can explore these and use what they uncover to create their own diagrams.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

In this vibrant book, CJ wants to know why they are taking the bus. His Nana helps him look around him - to really look - and take notice of what’s important.

Students can use this to look at the point of view of the different characters in the story. They can draw pictures or write explanations of how they different characters see the world.

Book of the Day - Last Stop on Market Street
Book of the Day - Last Stop on Market Street

The Fabulous Friend Machine by Nick Bland

Book of the Day - The Fabulous Friend Machine
Book of the Day - The Fabulous Friend Machine

Nick Bland’s book is a must have for students exploring digital literacy and cyber security. The book uses an allegory to explore what can happen when we don’t actually see who’s on the other end of our online conversations.

Students can use this book as a model to write their own warning story about technology and to explore how technology and the online world can be explored responsibly.