Each chapter touches base with a previous chapter in the book.
Chapter 6, picture books, to me, is the epitome of why we share literature with children. Adults reading to children helps improve vocabulary, sentence structure creation, and introduction to mood and tone. When adults read to children, children can see how reading can truly be fun!
Picture books can be used in the library or classroom for any age group. As a seventh grade teacher, I use picture books to introduce figurative language and other literary elements and devices. In a picture book, the antagonist and protagonist are much easier to identify, making it a great introduction to the vocabulary.
Picture books can also be utilized when teaching the plot line. Picture books are normally shorter and more straight forward than an on level short story in a literature book. A picture book can be read as a class and then students can individually plot the story after discussing the above features.
Chapter 8, poetry, is a great way to discuss literary devices and figurative language. Poems are littered with hidden gems within them, waiting for the reader to find them, clean them up, and use them in their own way.
Poems are a great way to introduce theme. Because poems are short and have such deeply rooted ideas, the theme is usually easier to identify. You can start with a children's poetry book, Shel Silverstein, and slowly work your way up to on level poems.
I like to teach historical and realistic fiction together, in a way. Students need to be able to see that both genres have true life aspects to it, but realistic fiction lacks what historical fiction fulfills. When students can openly discuss the differences, then find them in the story or novel, they have truly understood the differences.
Traditional literature is fun to teach because of the diversity of schools now a days. Students can share their home country's traditional stories, and the other students can discuss similarities and differences between their stories.
