Just like other great read alouds this book has a great rhythm and repeated lines. Each page of the book is a picture of a different everyday object (spoons, shoes, apples). For each object Margaret Wise Brown provides the main idea and detail in a very rhythmic fashion. For example when describing the spoon she uses the main idea that you eat with it. A few of her details are that it is like a shovel and you put it in your mouth. She ends the page with repeating the main idea, or in her words "the important thing." Kids, no matter what age, are always so attentive through this book. I think they like guessing what some of the details of the objects would be. The best is the end where students can feel special because "the important thing about you is that you are you!"
Like I said in my opening I have used this across all grade levels. In first grade we worked together to create a book for future first graders. It was titled, "The Important Thing About First Grade." When I worked in a self-containted classroom for kids with autism we made. "The Important Thing About Animals." Lastly, when I taught 5th grade social studies each student made their own book about their favorite Native American tribe we had studied. They had to include all the elements of culture in their book. If I can find my old examples I will be sure to post some pictures of these books.
If you are a teacher buy this book NOW! Not only does it teach an author's craft but it also helps students to understand main idea and details in a very concrete format,
What is your favorite book to use across grades and content areas?
Happy Reading!
Laura
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