Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Trade Book Tuesday: Two Bad Ants


I am really  excited to introduce my Weekly Feature: Trade Book Tuesday! I can not tell you how many trade books I've hoarded collected over the years, but I just can not get enough of them! A GREAT trade book is priceless and when it's good, it's good! 

Click on the book to order from Amazon.com! 
The first book I think every teacher should have in their collection of Children's Literature is Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg. Have you read it? If you haven't, you need to. You {yes, you, the teacher} will get a good laugh at this quirky book with hilarious antics {ANTics...HA! Get it?! No pun intended!} of two naughty ants that stray from their colony into a giant mountain {...a house} full of swirling, brown whirlpools {...or coffee as you may know it} and giant, shiny crystals {those would be sugar crystals, SHUGAH!}. They have a shockingly not so good time in this fantastic story of adventure, drama, and cheeky humor!

This book is PERFECT for teaching Perspective/Point of View. I have used this book to teach this skill with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and they ALL love this book! It's a great introduction to perspective and it truly lays a great foundation for understanding why we all have opinions or certain points of views on things based on age, life experiences, height, beliefs, etc, etc.

The illustrations are fantastic, and in classic Chris Van Allsburg style, the story {secretly} teaches a lesson that is sure to bring about great conversation with your little readers! It's a great way to reinforce those listening skills....Wait? Kids forget listening skills???

Naaahhhhhhh....

I have a great little packet you can check out at either one of my teacher stores that uses Two Bad Ants for this exact skill! The mini unit can be used to introduce or review point of view/perspective based on Common Core RL.3.6!


Simply click on any of these pictures to link to the packet! :)


Here's some examples of two of the activities from the packet! The "Personal Perspective" activity is so fun for the kiddos {and was for ME, too!}. It was so fun to find out everyone's point of view/perspective on different topics and most importantly, why! It was a great conversation piece and definitely a higher order thinking activity!



I hope you enjoy this book with your little friends as much as I do! Get ready for LOTS of Chris Van Allsburg trade books! I use them ALL the time!

**P.S. -- The first three people to COMMENT on this post, get this mini unit FO' FREE!!! Leave your email address and I'll send it to you tonight!! WOOHOO!!! Don't forget to Follow my TPT and TN stores, too!**
HAPPY READING!


14 comments:

  1. Is it bad that I've never read this book? Your post makes me want to order it right now, Lindsay. Thanks for a great point-of-view lesson!

    Barbara - gruenergang (at) sbcglobal.net
    The Corner On Character

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    1. Thanks, Barbara! I appreciate you checking out my blog and I hope you enjoy the FREEBIE sent your way! :) There are TONS of trade books that I'm sure you could share with me that I haven't read, either! :) Check it out! I know you'll love it! :)

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  2. I love Chris Van Allsburg but have not read this book. I have it on my shelf so I am going to read it tonight. Can't wait to see what other books you share!

    Jana
    Thinking Out Loud
    readingandthinkingoutloud@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Jana! I'm so glad you have you as a follower! :) I love your blog and all of your great ideas! :) Enjoy the book tonight, and make sure to check your email for a FREEBIE from me! ;)

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  3. I love Chris Van Allsburg--and this book is one of my favorites!

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

    joyin6th@gmail.com

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    1. ME TOO, Kim! :) Thanks for stopping by, and make sure you check your email for a little surprise from me! :) Lindsay

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  4. I love this book! Another book that does the whole perspective thing in a fun way is I am the Dog, I am the Cat by Donald Hall. So glad I found your blog :)
    Storie
    Stories by Storie

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  5. Thanks, Storie!! :) I will DEFINITELY check out that book! :)

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  6. Very cute blog...frat story...and nifty unit! Way to go on taking the plunge....I am following now :0)

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    1. Thanks SO much, Heather!!! I'm very excited to be on this adventure! :)

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  7. Thanks for sharing this book with us, I've never heard of it before. I'm your newest follower!

    Angela
    The Daily Alphabet

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    1. Thanks, Angela! :) I know you'll LOVE it! It's so great!

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  8. Love that book! My kids get such a kick out of it. Love all Chris Van Allsburg actually!

    Sara :)
    Smiling In Second Grade

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    1. I have a Chris Van Allsburg book-crush! ;) I AM obsessed with EVERY book he has!!

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