Because my classes are only 45 minutes long and I have to teach all of ELA in that time, I don’t use as many books and videos and I would like (or as are available), but the addition of these two things made the signposts even more valuable to my class. They had no trouble finding them when we read our first novel, Walk Two Moons.īelow are the resources I used this year. I always began and ended with a short story and showed the video and read the picture books in between. After we had learned all of them, I had them search in my many picture books for more. (NOTES: I currently teach at an all-girls’ school, so the short stories reflect that. See my previous posts for more examples of stories to use. Priscilla and the Wimps by Richard Peck.Īlso, I purchased the Pixar shorts DVDs.) CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTIONS Short Stories There are also numerous other picture books that have great examples of signposts.My Teachers is a Monster (No, I am Not) by Peter Brown.Julius, Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes.Tuesday of the Other June by Norma Fox Mazer.Who Are You Today, Maria? by Judith Ortiz Cofer.Flowers and Freckle Cream by Elizabeth Ellis.

A-Ha Moment by Julia Alvarez (from Oprah Magazine).My Rotten, Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco.Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown (he’s a class favorite author).Charles by Shirley Jackson (also has a good A-Ha moment).Dug’s Special Mission – Pixar shorts vol.My Grandmother’s Hair by Cynthia Rylant.Aunt Flossie’s Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard.George and AJ for CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTIONS Many of the other Pixar shorts would be great to use as well, but in the interest of time, these are all I had the opportunity to use this year. There are also numerous collections of award-winning shorts available on YouTube. My goals for next summer are to find some more animated shorts and also add in songs, poetry, and art. I am also going to ask the students to find some examples of these themselves this spring when we do more literary analysis. I know that many of you are excited about using Notice and Note by Kylene Beers and Robert B. I have previously posted about some short stories I used last year to teach the signposts. Since then, I have had other requests for more story ideas. I thought it made sense to use short stories and texts that are typically found in grade-level literature anthologies to save teachers time making copies. For each of the stories below, I found signposts. You and your students may find even more.

Aha moment julia alvarez