Choosing Books to Remake Literacy

Sir Ken Robinson said, “Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.” While I would never argue with the wisdom of the late Sir Ken, educators are skillfully integrating literacy AND creativity in ways that can exponentially expand student understanding and innovative thinking. 

I call this mix of learning—Remaking Literacy.  It is a way of thinking that creates new experiences around literacy teaching and learning through creativity and design.  It includes the integration of STEM, STEAM, and Maker Education in meaningful ways connected to quality literature.  

We know that good readers are active readers.  They think, question, consider, and reflect.  They put themselves into the minds of the characters or the author as they analyze dialogue, make predictions, and solve problems.  Students are doing this in classrooms around the world through discussions, research papers, charts, and notetaking.  But what if, instead they could take their understanding of reading and writing and develop it in visible, creative, and engaging ways through hands-on making? 

I have shared in previous posts a number of ways to engage students in "remaking" that is connected to text. Through tinkering with different materials, thinking and planning, and engaging in the engineering design process, our students can engage in learning that activates their curiosity. As educators, we can thoughtfully select books that foster student creativity while also building on important skills in literacy.

Books for Tinkering

The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers
Extra Yarn by Mac Bennett
The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier
Building Books by Megan Llyod
Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones
The Dumpster Diver by Janet S. Wong
The Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutss Aston
Ojichan’s Gift by Chieri Uegaki

Books for Thinking

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner

Drawn Together by Mihn Le

Agi and The Thought Compass by Betsy O’Neill-Sheehan

The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield

Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel

A House That Once Was by Julie Fogliano

Save the Bees by Bethany Stahl

Just How Long Can a Long String Be? by Keith Baker

Books for Design

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

I Wanna New Room by Karen Kaufman Orloff

Betty Builds It by Julie Hampton

The Secret Seahorse by Stella Blackstone

Pandamonium at Peek Zoo by Kevin Waldron

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen

Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin

Inky’s Amazing Escape by Sy Montgomery

Across the Bay by Carlos Aponte

Stay tuned!

In future posts, I will share lesson ideas for these books including hands-on ways to "remake" our literacy practices. Adding quick design thinking exercises or including an engineering twist to a book, students will not only engage more in the classroom, but chances are they will also build vocabulary and comprehension skills along the way.

In addition, students will tap into their creativity as they brainstorm, design, engineer, and collaborate with others. If you are interested in more ways to incorporate tinkering, thinking, and design into your classroom, check out my book:

Remaking Literacy: Innovative Instructional Strategies for Maker Learning, Grades K-5; Classroom Maker Projects for Elementary Literacy Education

8 Ways to Spark Creativity

Have you tried the 30 Circle Challenge?

This is a great tool to use in classrooms with students (I also use it when I am providing professional learning for teachers and school leaders). This simple challenge created by Robert McKim, Professor Emeritus at Stanford's Department of Mechanical Engineering and popularized by Kelley brothers at IDEO is a fun way to spark some creativity.

 

The template for the 30 Circle Challenge can be used in different ways that extend beyond the opportunity to provide a quick, creative jumpstart. With simple directions to turn as many as the blank circles into recognizable objects in three minutes, this can be a great warm-up exercises for learners of all ages.

The template doesn’t have to include 30 circles either.  You can create a grid with any number of circles depending on the level/age of the learner or the nature of the activity.  12 or 20 circles work just fine! You could also try it with squares, triangles, or a mix of shapes.

 Whether creative thinking is your focus or you are working within a specific content area, there are other ways to use and adapt the 30 circles. Here are some different options for using the template in other subject areas and for other purposes throughout the school year. 

●    Getting to Know You

       This can be used for back-to-school time or as a class icebreaker. Ask students to fill the circles with things that tell about themselves.  Ideas might include pictures or names of family members, hobbies, pets, friends or places to visit. Students can then share 1-2 circles with different classmates as a way to get to know one another.

●    Magic Number

      Use the circles in math to show different ways to represent the value of a number.  For example, if the magic number is 12 students can show addition or subtraction equations that equal 12.  They might write the word “twelve” or show twelve tally marks.  They might use dice or a clock or Roman numerals.

●    30-Word Summary

      After reading a story, watching a video, or listening to a speech, students can write a summary with exactly 30 words. Summarizing can be a challenging skill for some students. Reading (or listening) and then capturing the gist of the text provides practice for students. 

●    Poetry

       Write a poem with 30 words.  It can include rhyming, be free verse, or any other style.

●    Make an Observation

      Students can use the template as a way to document things they observe, in the classroom, on a nature walk, or at home.  Draw or write about the things that you see, hear, and feel. This is a great fit for the end of a science lesson or an exit ticket for an art class.

●    Word Study

      Write as many words as you can that mean the same as the target word.  For example, write words that are synonyms for the word "good".  This will help students to develop vocabulary and create a bank of stronger or more descriptive words for use in their writing.

●    Character Analysis

      Use the template to write or draw ideas connected to a character including things like character traits, important quotes, phrases, or pictures.

●    Connecting Ideas

      Draw lines connecting circles together to create a visual timeline, word web, or story map.  Add colors to show ideas that are related and dotted lines to show your thinking path.

      These represent just a few ways to utilize the 30 Circle Challenge in your classroom. What other ways have you tried? Share your comments below!

      If you are interested in more ways to spark creative thinking with your students, check out my book Unlock Creativity: Open a World of Imagination With Your Students.