Welcome to the first annual Got Books? Event! Here at The Book Maven's Haven I am highlighting the importance of picture books by giving away three hardcover picture books. Traditionally, picture books have been used primarily in elementary school classrooms. As I moved from the kindergarten classroom to my current position as a fourth/fifth grade teacher, I knew that I didn't want to leave picture books behind. There would be opportunities to use picture books in powerful ways across my teaching day. Vacca & Vacca state in Content Area Reading:Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum 
that a picture book "has the potential to act as a magnifying glass that enlarges and enhances the reader's personal interactions with a subject" ( 2005, p. 161). So true! They are a quick and convenient way to help older students activate their prior knowledge. There is a new focus on picture books that deliver difficult content in simple language. Contemporary picture books explore issues such as homelessness, war, drugs, death, violence, racism, and divorce. Using picture books as mentor texts for student writing is another way I have found to use them, as they contain vivid language and a variety of text structures. The beauty of using picture books in the upper grades (and I believe in middle and high school too) is that they can be read aloud in a few minutes and provide students with information connected to the concept or skill being introduced. They can be used for increasing fluency and expanding students' vocabularies. Picture books can be used to help differentiate instruction and make learning more fun and interactive for students of all ages. Really the possibilities are endless! Picture books are an integral instructional tool whether you are teaching kindergarten or high school English! Don't leave them on your shelf collecting dust!
that a picture book "has the potential to act as a magnifying glass that enlarges and enhances the reader's personal interactions with a subject" ( 2005, p. 161). So true! They are a quick and convenient way to help older students activate their prior knowledge. There is a new focus on picture books that deliver difficult content in simple language. Contemporary picture books explore issues such as homelessness, war, drugs, death, violence, racism, and divorce. Using picture books as mentor texts for student writing is another way I have found to use them, as they contain vivid language and a variety of text structures. The beauty of using picture books in the upper grades (and I believe in middle and high school too) is that they can be read aloud in a few minutes and provide students with information connected to the concept or skill being introduced. They can be used for increasing fluency and expanding students' vocabularies. Picture books can be used to help differentiate instruction and make learning more fun and interactive for students of all ages. Really the possibilities are endless! Picture books are an integral instructional tool whether you are teaching kindergarten or high school English! Don't leave them on your shelf collecting dust!
You can earn up to three additional entries by:
1. Leave a comment on one of my blog posts.
2. Follow The Book Maven's Haven on Google Friend Connect.
3. 'Like' The Book Maven's Haven on Facebook OR 'Follow' me (@literacydocent) on Twitter.
The Got Books? Event runs from 12:00 a.m. July 23rd through 11:59 p.m. July 24th (EST). Don't forget to check out all of the other amazing blogs participating in this weekend's event here!
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