Outstanding Picture Books to Teach Reading and Writing Strategies

In an effort to encourage more authentic reading in the classroom, I am offering up suggestions for the use of picture books for reading and writing instruction. Don’t think that a picture book written at a 3^rd grade level can’t be taught in a 5^th grade classroom. Using this material to introduce and/or reteach objectives gives students support, and I believe, some good, basic background knowledge for implementing reading strategies that they can draw upon when they are working with more difficult texts. These books offer a friendly chance for the students to “get their minds around” a difficult strategy like drawing conclusions or cause/effect.

My first recommendation is a fun book by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss. It is their 3^rd in a series of “diary” books entitled Diary of a Fly. The story and diary centers on a lively little fly. Fly is an insect with a lot to learn. Flies must fly, so Fly's school teaches her how to... fly! Between school time and help from her friends, Worm and Spider, Fly learns all about her strengths, and how she fits into her world.

Even if you're bugged by flies, they have a place. This cute storybook teaches children ways that flies are remarkable and unique, but without a preachy, textbook-style tone. In her diary, Fly shares what she's learned in the form of silly happenings.

It’s a great book for introducing sequence, character traits, point-of-view, cause and effect, drawing conclusions, character changes and motivations. Additionally, it will serve as an excellent opportunity for science integration. I can see students writing papers like: the Diary of a Glacier, the Diary of a Volcano, or the Diary of a Water Drop. Thanks Myra for turning me on to this book!