A Stick is An Excellent Thing

Author: Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: 2012
Genre: Poetry, One Author
Reading Level: Grade 2
Brief Overview: This poetry book describes classic ways of outside play that have remained popular throughout time such as hopscotch and hide and go seek, which encourages play in a time that technology overrules creative outdoor play.
Integrated Idea: Outdoor centers will be set up that center around activities in this book to inform children about the importance of active play as well as group interaction/teamwork while analyzing poetry.
Reviewer's Name and Affiliation: Ashley Offenberg, Teacher Candidate, Valdosta State University

Good Sports

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Jack Prelutsky/Chris Raschka

PUBLISHER: Dragonfly Books             PUBLICATION DATE: 2007

AWARDS:  Poetry Foundation, Children's Poet Laureate award

GENRE: Poetry: One Author         READING LEVEL: Grades 1-4

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Combination of poems regarding how athletes feel when playing sports. Some athletes are triumphant in his/her sport while others struggle, yet they don’t give up.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will break into spelling stations where they will match a picture of each sport with the word.  After which, they will spell the name of the sport. We will proceed outside to play a mini sport, accommodating for students with disabilities

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Anika Perry, Valdosta State University