Oh, The Places You'll Go

Written and Illustrated by: Dr. Seuss 

Dr. Seuss is my favorite author and this is my absolute favorite of his books. Dr. Seuss utilizes silly words and expressions to tell a very insightful story about the future. The future is sometimes a scary topic. You truly never do know where you will end up. In this book Dr. Seuss mentions the highs and the lows and the happy and sad times in a way that students are able to cope with the uncertainty of the next day. He uses rhyme and creative illustrations to depict the possibilities of tomorrow. 

One of the best aspects of this book is that it can be used at any age! Need a rhyming book for first graders? This is a great story. Need a book for the last day of high school class? This book is for you. The flexibility in the use and message of the story makes it an incredible choice for numerous occasions. 

When We Were Very Young

Written by: A.A. Milne   Decorations by: Ernest H. Shepard 

It's hard to beat a classic Winnie the Pooh story, especially one that was published in 1924. When We Were Young is a fabulous addition to this collection. These are fun little verses full of rhyme that were actually written for A.A. Milne's son, Christopher Robin. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Written by: Shel Silverstein 

I can remember going to the school library when I was in elementary school and checking this book out over and over again. Keep in mind that when I was little I did not like to read so this was a big deal for me! Where the Sidewalk Ends may just be that book your student or son/daughter needs. Shel Silverstein writes many different poems about unique characters who have only one thing in common: they are where the sidewalk ends. This work of art is one of Parent & Child magazine's 100 Greatest Books for Kids. Aside from the fact that this is a perfect book for independent reading, teachers can also use the different poems for specific lessons.

Lesson Ideas: (Can be used at ANY age!)

Preschool: http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2012/04/free-poetry-unit-for-preschoolers.html

Third Grade: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/434597432763607625/

Every Time I Climb a Tree

Written by: David McCord

I have included the poem from this story below, but do not let that keep you from reading this book! The illustrations are one of the greatest aspect of this story. Many more things are revealed through these pictures. 

"Every time I climb a tree 

Every time I climb a tree 

Every time I climb a tree 

I scrape a leg Or skin a knee 

And every time I climb a tree

 I find some ants

 Or dodge a bee 

And get the ants 

All over me 

And every time I climb a tree

 Where have you been?

 They say to me 

But don’t they know that I am free

 Every time I climb a tree? 

I like it best To spot a nest

 That has an egg 

Or maybe three 

And then I skin 

The other leg 

But every time I climb a tree 

I see a lot of things to see 

Swallows rooftops and TV 

And all the fields and farms there be 

Every time I climb a tree 

Though climbing may be good for ants

 It isn’t awfully good for pants 

But still it’s pretty good for me 

Every time I climb a tree"

Teachers can also use this poem as a form of grade three comprehension assessment. The link to the assessment is below. This test analyzes the interpretive comprehension. Interpretations are one of the most difficult types of comprehension. 

http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/hiddenvalleyES/Documents/3rd%20Grade%20EOG%20Study%20Materials/Everytime%20I%20climb%20a%20Tree.pdf

Below is a video of just one girl who clearly loves this poem!

Love That Dog

Written by: Sharon Creech 

This story is written as a series of free verse from the perspective of a boy named Jack. Within this free-verse is a fantastic story where Jack discovers his own voice in writing with the help of his teacher. Sharon Creech uses this story to illustrate that all students have a voice. From the voice in this story readers can learn what makes a great poet, and also how to read poetry. 

Here is a link to an awesome lesson plan that helps teachers make poetry fun! http://www.sharoncreech.com/pdfs/LoveDogHateCat_TG.pdf