5+ Books for Summer
When my children were young, one of our favorite summer pastimes was a weekly trip to our local library here in Springfield, Massachusetts. A recent visit reminded me to check out the many interesting programs available for children as well as adults. We are so fortunate!
I remember teaching in the classroom and having a much anticipated visit from our city’s librarian who went over the many options for summertime fun. During my days as camp counselor, a walk with the campers to our local library was always on the agenda!
A friend of mine who will be teaching elementary school this summer and I visited our local branch library to check out books for her to use to review SGM components with her students. The following are a few of the choices we made.
Hot City by Barbara Joose
It’s as “hot as a fry pan” as two children make their way to their local library and find the excitement and joy of books! A great selection not only for the message but for the description of a city (Setting) 
in summer.
Sun Dance Water Dance by Jonathan London
This beautifully illustrated book would lend itself to reviewing Actions 
that occur in a setting; in this story, a visit to a cabin by a river. A great follow up activity would be for the children to choose their favorite setting and write about what they do in that setting using a list map to brainstorm. The children could then create a simple watercolor wash as a background to showcase their finished writings.
One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews
The photo collage art work is appealing in this story of a child’s hot day in the city. Your students will identify with the activities that the character engages in… and with a familiar Kick-Off 
that leads to a change in the weather!
Four Seasons Make A Year by Anne Rockwell
This book takes us through the seasons and reminded us of one of our MindWing Blogs, Winter’s Coming: Narrative-Expository Setting Lesson which was a writing lesson on the winter season. Use this book as a jumping off point to a similar writing lesson on summer
You may be interested in pairing the above book with Summersaults by Douglas Florian. This selection is a collection of 28 poems of everything summer!
And check out these two blogs as well, to expand on the setting (summer) concept:
Enjoy your summer, whether teaching or relaxing. And don’t forget that trip to your local library!
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