The OK Book: A Mentor Social Studies Text and a Class Book FREEBIE

Hi.  I'm linking up with Collaboration Cuties to share a favorite social studies mentor text.  I'm about half way through my summer break and of course I'm thinking about the next school year.  What to keep?  What to change?  What to try?
Well one book that is a definite keeper is Amy Krouse Rosenthal's The OK Book.

This book fits into my social studies curriculum as we work on building community and getting to know each other at the beginning of the year.  It is a text that you really have to see to appreciate.
The main character is OK and is illustrated by turning the O and the K on their sides to make a simple stick figure.

The central message is that you do not have to be great something to do it.  Being OK is just fine and may one day lead to you to what your are excellent at (or not).  This message is so important for students because everything in school will not come easily to many students.  They need to give themselves and others a break and accept each other.

Beyond the read aloud, this text is a great inspiration for a class book.  To begin my students and I usually discuss what things we are OK at and I show them how to make the OK person.  I model making my OK page for the class book and then the students make their own.

If you would like a FREE copy of this class book activity, click on one of the pictures above.

It usually turns out pretty funny.

On a personal note, this book is very meaningful to me.  I love this idea of not having to be really great at something to do it.  I talk this notion up with my young daughter.  I want her to participate and try lots of fun activities even if she is just OK. 

So here's the scoop:

This is a great book for a wide range of students.  I highly recommend it.

Remember, there are more great social studies mentor text recommendations at Collaboration Cuties.  Be sure to check them out.

Emily's First 100 Days of School: A Mentor Text for Math and a Class Book FREEBIE

It's time once again for Collaboration Cuties' Mentor Text Link Up.  This week's topic is math.  One book with a math theme that I really like using is Rosemary Wells' Emily's First 100 Days of School.  This book has 100 different entries by bunny rabbit Emily about events at her school and in her life.

This book is longer than your average counting book.  I usually start reading it at the beginning of the year and continue on until the 100th day.  The illustrations are very cute.  It also provides a great jumping off point for an on-going class book project.

I've created a free class book printable that you can have to use with your class by clicking on the picture below. 

The clip art is from KPM Doodles.

For my class books I really like using three ring notebooks and plastic sleeves.  That way at the end of the year I can disassemble the books and easily send pages home with each student.  I used to use the binder at school and the pages would always start ripping out when the kids would handle the books too much.  For me, the notebook with the plastic sleeves is the way to go.  If you have any questions, please contact me.
So here's what you need to know:

Be sure to read some of the other recommended math texts links at Collaboration Cuties.  

Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you had a great day with special people in your life.
Best.