Alphabet Books

Primary teachers often have their favourite collection of alphabet books. This link to Book of the Day Activities: ABC Books, came my way. It is from a Kindergarten blog and lists a number of alphabet books along with some supporting activities.

To add to the list you will find above:

Museum ABC

• The New York Museum of Art
• Little, Brown Young Readers

While the words representing the letters may be common, the images are not. They are works, or parts of works from the museum's collection. This is a wonderful way to bring art into language. Older children can read the back section which tells more about the art work and the artists who created them.

What are your favourite alphabet books and why? What kinds of activities have they led to with your students?

Archie's War and My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright

I am recommending two books this time, both by Marcia Williams. They are picture books, but not really. Both are aimed more at middle school aged children, the age of the children "writing" these books.
Archie's War: My Scrapbook of the First World War

• Marcia Williams
• Candlewick Press, 2007
  

Archie's War is done as a scrapbook by a boy, starting at the age of 13 in 1914 and following through until the end of the First World War. Through drawings, comics, mementos, writing and more, the reader gets a feel for life in England, first London and then the countryside at this time in history. One gets glimpses, too, into life at the front through letters and the reality of returning soldiers. Through Archie's family, one experiences different viewpoints regarding the issues around the war.

My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright

• Marcia Williams
• Candlewick Press, 2008
  

My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright is written in the style of a diary of a girl (actually Archie's daughter) during the Second World War. Begun at the age of nine in 1939, it concludes with the end of the war. When Flossie's father leaves to join the army, she is left to take care of her baby brother and uncle, her mother having died the previous year. Through her eyes, the reader lives through the war, gaining an understanding of life in the countryside with land girls helping the local farmers, evacuees from London and more. Letters, photographs, postcards and other memorabilia are pasted into the diary fleshing out the story from others' point of view.

I found both these books to be jewels. Both really give the feel of history through the eyes of a child.

• It might be interesting to use them both in a class and compare and contrast the experiences during the two wars.
  
• They can also serve as models for students to create their own scrapbooks or diaries about events in their own lives. They can think about the many ways to tell their stories, through visual and written representations. They can extend that to digital storytelling. If one of the children were keeping a record of their experiences now, this may be the medium they would use.
  
• In addition, there are many issues to discuss. For example, in Archie, there is a sister who opposes the war. It is a great opportunity to look at opposing views. It could be a great starting point for a discussion on the demands of life in society and diverse ways of thinking, part of the ERC programme.
• Choose one of these books to read along with a real diary of war (e.g. Anne Frank, Zlata's Diary) - compare and contrast.

Visit Marcia Williams' website.
Share your experiences with these books here. Who else has recommendations?

Listen to the Wind

Listen to the Wind, The story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea

• Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth
• Collages by Susan L. Roth
• Dial Books for Young Readers

If you have read the book, Three Cups of Tea, you know the story of the extraordinary Greg Mortenson. After losing his way in the Himalayas he found himself in a small village in Pakistan. Upon seeing the outdoor school, he vowed he would help the village and build a school. Listen to the Wind tells the story for children in a picture book illustrated with magnificent collages by Susan L. Roth. Included in the book is a scrapbook of photographs, illustrating the actual process of bringing the school to reality. Because of the theme of the book, it is appropriate for students of any age as an introduction to other cultures and to the power one person can have to make changes in the world.

As a follow up to the book, students can create their own collages, perhaps illustrating a way they have, or could, help someone else. They may wish to raise money for Greg Mortenson's charity which helps build schools, Pennies for Peace. You can find a toolkit, should you want to launch a campaign. It includes a number of videos which can be downloaded and used in the classroom, many of which are useful even if you do not raise money for his project. There are good connections to the Broad Area of Learning: Citizenship and Community Life.

If you have not read Three Cups of Tea, I recommend it. Greg Mortenson is an inspiration for what he does, for his determination and for how he has bridged cultures and brought a message of friendship wherever he goes.