New Australian Children's Book Series

Maureen Larter has begun a fascinating series of ebooks called The Alphabet Animals of Australia.  In each book, the author presents both scientific and character education themes in addition to alliteration of all the animal names.  Here are here first three in the series, available at www.ebooksbymaureenlarter.com 

 

ANGUS ANT AND THE ACROBATS illustrated by Alice Sabrie and Maëlle Chessard, 2011

One day, Angus decides that he doesn’t like working all day long so he looks outside of his home to find some friends.  Along the way he finds a springtail, a flea, a grasshopper, and a butterfly.  Each friend tries to do what the other does, but without much success.  In  the end, each animal realizes that they have special talents that should be used to their potential.  This book teaches about insect activity and an appreciation of one’s talents.

BETTY BEE’S BIRTHDAY BASH illustrated by Alice Sabrie and Maëlle Chessard, 2011

Betty and Bobbie decide they want to do gather extra nectar for the Queen’s birthday, but it is raining.  They know that bees don’t fly well in the rain, so they fashion umbrellas from thin slices of wax.  But they become tired holding the umbrella and gathering nectar at the same time.  They enlist the help of the entire hive, and through cooperative effort successfully hold a wonderful party for the Queen.   This book teaches about bee activity and cooperation.

CANDY COW AND THE CATERPILLAR illustrated by Patsy Seager, 2013

Candy Cow loves everything around her, especially the juicy leaves of the trees.  But one day, a caterpillar on one of those leaves asks her to save the leaf.  They discuss camouflage so Candy Cow can see the caterpillar better.  Candy Cow agrees to leave the leaf and the caterpillar eventually changes into a lovely, bright butterfly.  This book teaches about metamorphosis and acceptance of differences.

Each of Maureen Larter’s books is available in e-version and hardcover and contains a teacher’s guide at the end for further activities.  I recommend this series for children ages 2-5.  

To see the blog author's books that also teach scientific concepts with character education and language literacy, go to www.entelechyed.com

 

End-of-year Stress?

It's the end of the school year. You have a bazillion final exams or essays to grade, many students to process through the digital grading system, several reports to file with your supervisor, and assorted signatures to secure on your sign-out sheet. Top that with your duties at home, and it is no wonder you're stressed. I understand and appreciate the challenges you are experiencing right now, so I offer the following suggestions to ease your life:

1. Eat right - research has proven that a diet filled with fast food and carbonated beverages causes our bodies to destroy the ability to effectively deal with stress. Instead, revise your shopping list to include whole grains, plenty of fruits and veggies, lean meats, and unprocessed foods. In other words, shop mostly in the perimeter of your grocery store. But, you say you don't have time to make all that fresh food? Consider using the almighty slow cooker! Make a big pot in the morning by tossing in all the meat and fresh veggies. By dinner time when you're exhausted, you'll have wholesome food waiting for your return home.
2. Meditate - Call it prayer, meditation, or downtime, but it is still an escape from everyday reality. Ten minutes - that's all it takes to recondition your mind and body to cope with everyday stresses. Consider finding a picture of your favorite vacation or a picture on the Internet of your fantasy vacation. Focus on that while you slip away from reality for a while. You'll emerge from the experience refreshed and renewed.
3. Exercise - Ah, those endorphins! Those feel-good chemicals that block pain, and are also responsible for our feelings of pleasure. They are released with exercise. So before you go home, run a lap around the track or head to your gym. You'll be better able to cope with the pressures at home after a stressed day at work.
4. Sleep - You don't think you have enough time to sleep because you have too much to do? Think again! You should be getting seven hours of sleep each night. Get too little sleep, and your work becomes sluggish, taking longer to complete the task. Get enough sleep and you become an efficient grading machine!
5. Plan - If you have those bazillion essays to grade and you have two weeks in which to get them done, then set aside time to several each day. That makes the task more manageable and less odious. Also plan time to spend with your support group - family and friends who care about you. Be in the moment - don't spend time with them while you worry about clearing the clutter in your room by the end of the school year. Enjoy your time with others - laugh, play, sing, or simply sip tea and talk (but not about work!)
6. Overlap - Try to find things you can do together, like straightening your room while you exercise (bend over five times before you pick up that piece of paper on the floor!) And when you plan your elementary book list for next year, add EnteleTrons™ titles because their books combine STEM topics with character education in the literacy curriculum! www.entelechyed.com/entelestore

When you put this plan in place, you'll have a less stressed end of the school year. Enjoy your summer and return in September ready to educate the next class of students who are eager for your words of wisdom on intellectual, social, and moral topics!

An excerpt from Woody's World

So many people have asked what my elementary chapter book, Woody's World is like, that I have decided to post an excerpt during Children's Book Week.  If you like what you read, you can order the book at Character Publishing. Now on sale!  Also, if you order a classroom set of 20 or more, I will send you my 8-week, 98-page Study Guide that includes a variety of learning experiences for third and fourth grade readers. (A $13.95 value at Teachers Pay Teachers) Woody's World recently won a 2013 Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

Happy reading and please post a comment:
to post the first chapter here for your review during

Chapter One

The Princeton Trolley

            “We can’t make it,” I screamed.  “Stop!”

            “Trust me, Woody,” Henry yelled over his shoulder.  “We can beat the trolley.”

            I clutched the sides of our sled as we slid toward the tracks on a collision course with the morning travelers.  I had to decide whether to roll off the speeding sled and risk breaking several bones or to stay with Henry and risk getting killed.

            “Hold on!” Henry shouted.

            I dug my fingers into Henry’s shoulders and prayed that I had been good enough in my twelve years to merit a hereafter in Heaven.  All the times I had teased my little sister exploded into awareness.  All the times I had lied to my parents or cheated on a test flooded my mind.  I was doomed!

            I leaned forward and hunched over Henry’s pea coat.  My heart raced faster than the sled.  Hundreds of electric sparks shot past my head.  Hot oil from the tracks assaulted my nose as we slipped in front of the trolley.  I couldn’t tell whether the screaming came from me or from the travelers.

            We coasted to a stop and scrambled out of the sled into a foot of drifted snow. Even though it was twenty degrees out, I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants.  Then I stared back at the trolley as it clack-clack-clacked its way toward Princeton Junction.

“Toot, toot!”  Henry made the trolley sound and pulled an imaginary cord.

            “Are you crazy?  You could have gotten us killed!  You could have ruined my sled!”  I flapped my arms in the air trying to shake off the lingering fear.  Henry stood motionless, gazing down the tracks.

            “Are you listening to me?”  I shook his shoulders.

            Without turning around, he said, “Woody, that was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done.”

            “No, that was the most stupid thing we’ve ever done.  How did you know we would miss the trolley?”

            “I didn’t.  I thought it was worth a try.  I knew it would slow down before it went around the corner.  It worked, didn’t it?  You’re alive.  Your precious sled is in one piece.”

            I wrestled Henry into the drift.  We rolled around and around, laughing and punching each other until we both fell back, exhausted.

            “Don’t you ever do that to me again, Henry.”

            “Do what?  Have some fun and excitement?”

            He was impossible.  Since we first met in kindergarten, I’d never known him to be careful about anything.  And that’s what I liked about him.  My childhood would have been dull and boring without him.

            I picked up the cord of my sled and started toward home.  It was lunchtime.  Mom said she’d have tuna sandwiches and tomato soup for us.

            “Henry, don’t tell Mom about the trolley.”

            Henry looked at me for a moment, then ran his fingers through his thick, curly red hair.  “I may be foolish, but I’m not crazy.”

            Henry wasn’t crazy, but somebody on the train was a snitch.  When I got home, my father barred my way through the door.  His crossed arms and spread stance told me I was in bigger trouble than the time I had snuck a mouse into Miss Mallory’s handbag.

            “Woodrow Michael Bartram, are you out of your mind?” he boomed.

            “What do you mean?”  I took a step backwards, lengthening the distance between myself and Dad’s belt.

            “Uncle Mike saw you and Henry slide in front of the trolley today.  He called as soon as he got in the station.”

            I hung my head.  “It was either that or break my neck jumping from the sled,” I mumbled.  Out the corner of my eye, I saw Henry tiptoe from the inquisition on the porch.

            “Speak up, boy.  I’m sure you said you were sorry that you almost caused your mother and me to make funeral plans for you.”

            I could tell that the lecture would go on for hours, but at least he didn’t take off his belt.  The welts on my bottom had just disappeared from my last whoopin’.  Dad finished his sermon about responsibility with his usual comparison.  “Respect is like a Hershey bar, boy.  Every time you make someone lose respect for you, part of the candy bar gets eaten away.”

I had heard this analogy twice already.  The R disappeared when I thought it would be fun to drive the car up and down the driveway.  I wouldn’t have gotten caught if the tree hadn’t jumped out in front of me. Then I lost the E when Henry and I decided to climb up to the top of the Princeton water tower. We had taken sandwiches and a canteen of water and had only taken one bite when Dad found us.  Now the S was gone.

“Better watch yourself, boy,” Dad said.

“Yes, sir. I’ll try to be more responsible.”

            “Trying isn’t good enough.  You have to know how to be responsible.”

            The lecture continued for another hour with extra chores for a week added to my list and a quick lashing with his belt as we went inside the house.  Obviously, Mom knew nothing about my half-eaten RESPECT bar.  She gave me a hug and asked if I’d had fun sledding with Henry.  That day I vowed I’d make my old man proud of me … somehow… some day.