Any 5th grade teachers out there...

[lindrusso]

First, let me just express my belated appreciation (it was a week or two ago...) for all you teachers! I don't have what it takes to do what you do, but I'm glad that there are those who do!

I would like to get my child's teacher a gift. He's in 1st grade, but she will be teaching 5th grade next year. I know that she has kept a personal supply of books in her classroom for the kids to check out.

I would like to buy her a book or two (as an end-of-year thank you) to add to her collection and wondered if you had any 5th grade level recommendations?

Thanks for any help!

[Susan]

Former elementary teacher here...a few suggestions:

The Narnia Chronicles - CS Lewis

TORNADO - Betsy Byars

THE CHOCOLATE TOUCH - Patrick Catling

FRINDLE - Andrew Clements

SARAH PLAIN AND TALL - Patricia MacLachlan

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series - LM Montgomery

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques http://www.redwall.org/dave/news.php

A 2001 winner from the Newberry Award List: http://www.ala.org/alsc/newbery.html

*There's always Harry Potter or a gift certificate. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

~~Susan~~



[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 05-25-2001).]

[Susan]

Just realized I only posted fiction (for shame!) so here are a few nonfiction:

Guinness World Records 2001 by Mark C. Young

The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay

Any of the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness books

[lindrusso]

Susan -

The Narnia Chronicles - great idea! I remember books I liked as a kid, I just can't remember when I read them and which books are good for which grade level!

I remember finding the character Aslan (sp?) very comforting - I don't remember why - maybe it has something to do with me being a Leo http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif .

[kwormann]

Thats funny....I taught 5th grade last year and first this year, and will either be back in 5th or 3rd next year.

That said, I recommend Harry Potter definately because the kids love it right now! The teacher will really apprecite the gift because we are expected to supply books to our own classroom libraries! It can get VERY expensive and they expect you to have approx 100+ books! You are very sweet indead to think of her!

Kim

[lindrusso]

Thanks for the suggestions Kim. I like to get the teachers something, but I figured they get enough plants, useless knick-knacks (I HATE getting those) and other things they can't use or don't want! And since she's switching grades, she may be in need of something for the older kids.

[SusanL]

What a wonderful and kind gift to receive, I love receiving books!! Whenever I read aloud a book that was given to me, fond memories of that child continue through the years!!

I teach fourth grade but found a website that might help!! If you can wait until next week, I could quickly poll the fifth graders to find out their favorites... We don't see them until Wed. Let me know.

Until then, here is a website that I found http://www.gti.net/rocktwp/56.html , scroll down past the authors and you will see the authors and book titles.

[lindrusso]

SusanL - If you happen to think to ask your students, that would be great, but don't go to any trouble. School ends June 7 around here, so there's some time to play with.

It's always good to be armed with several suggestions since my local bookstore is pretty darn small and I might not have enough time to order anything.

[SusanL]

No problem, I will do it Wednesday, the kids first day back from MDW. It is always fun to visit former students, I am always astonished how they can grow so much in one year. Some how when they are with you for a year, you notice their educational and social growth but not physical.

[patrice]

A book that has been overwhelmingly successful in my classroom has been Bud,Not Buddy. It is written from the point of view of a ten year old boy. It is by the Newberry Award winning author that wrote The Watsons Go To Birmingham. It is the best book I have read in years for children. Even better than Harry Potter by far

[Christina64]

I teach 5th grade and have several "I SPY" books. They are picture books that have objects hidden and the reader has to find them. They are great for all ages, even adults enjoy them! I love these books because they are great for those who finish work early but don't have enough time to read. Also, sometimes kids want to take a break from "work" and this is a great outlet.

[lindrusso]

Christina64 - My boys love the I SPY books, but I wasn't sure that 5th graders would or not! There were several objects on one page that we just could not find. I stayed up that night, obsessed with finding them!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I think I did finally find them, but some of them are VERY hard! Thanks for the suggestion.

And Patrice, I will put your suggestion on my list as well!

Thanks so much for your help everyone!

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 05-29-2001).]

[Julie O]

You may just want to give her a gift certificate. Even though she is teaching 1st grade now, she may have taught older grades in the past or she may have some of the suggested books left from a college children's literature class. That way she could pick what might be most appropriate for her classroom. (The Chronicles of Narnia, for example, are often on banned book lists.)

[LGBurns]

oh. my. god. Why in the world would the Chronicles of Narnia be banned?!

Kim, I can't believe they expect you to buy 100+ books on a teacher's salary. That is absolutely ridiculous. Especially, with all the supposed emphasis on reading as being so important, you'd think money would be available to stock classrooms with books. This country's attitude toward education continues to appall me.

[kwormann]

Its amazing the money we put into our classrooms...posters, centers, books, supplies...I posted before I spent 600.00 at the beginning of the year this year.....

[SusanL]

Sorry, it has been a tough week. Some of the recommendations were...

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh
anything by Roald Dahl or Bruce Covey
Journey (one of my favorites) by Patricia MacLachlan
Indian in the Cupboard (series)
Harry Potter, of course!
Narnia Chronicles

These were the ones they could come up with right away. They are read aloud books for the teacher to share or put in the library.

Perhaps a gift certificate and a box of library book plates (?). They are small stickers to be placed in the front of the book for the teacher to write the name of the person[s] who gave the book to the teacher. I go throught them a lot!!Found at any bookstore in really cool designs!!!
Let us know what you decide!!