Paws, claws, Hands, and Feet

A dream adventure through many environments and many animal types based on the theme of how animals get around. There are many educational resources associated with this book through the SylvanDell website that are cross-curricular and involve higher thinking.

Ish

A wonderful story on art, self confidence, and suffixes! Ha! Ramon questions his artisitc ability and learns that art and its beauty are in the eyes of the beholder. Additionally, the suffix -ish is used repeatedly to show how descriptors are used creatively and change a words meaning.

This book has a good moral lesson, but is an excellent entre into suffixes.

Henry Hikes to Finchburg

Henry and his friend decide to go to Finchburg to see the country. Henry chooses to walk there, while his friend decides to work and earn money so he can take the train.

The story follows both bears are their journeys lead them to town - the friend earning money for every job he gets and Henry as he "stops and smells the roses" along his hike.

Good discussions for which way was "best" and advantages to either way. Younger students can calculate the money Henry's friend earns along the way (coins and under a dollar).

The story is based on Henry David Thoreau, the writer.