Title: Alphabet City
Author/Illustrator: Stephen T. Johnson
ISBN: 978-0-14-055904-0
Publisher:Penguin Group
This week’s blog is based on a picture book. Picture books are consists of high concentration of Dolch words, the 3 R’s, good picture to text match, and should offer something to both listener and reader and promote interactive discussions. There are many types of picture books, such as baby books (routines familiar to infants of toddlers), Interactive books, toy books (pop-up, three dimensional), wordless books, counting books and alphabet books. I chose an alphabet book.
The illustration in the book is painted with pastels, watercolors, gouache and charcoal on hot pressed watercolor paper. The illustrations are big, colorful, and realistic. The book is amazing. It allows teachers to teach children the alphabet using realistic structures in our surrounding. This 1996 Caldecott award winning book teaches children to find letters without looking in a book or on a sign, without even looking at a word. Children get to see alphabets around them daily no matter what they do or go. They see it when they are walking, riding the bus, playing in the playground, or even something as simple as looking out their window.
Seeing the alphabet daily would leave a stronger imprint in children mind. The book is also great for children that are visual learners. The book allows children to use their imagination, and learn in a playfully way. Once you turn the book to the first page the letter “A” made out of a construction sawhorse is in front of your face, big, colorful, and realistic. And it’s like that throughout the book.
I would include this book in my class room and encourage children to create their own alphabet book by finding structures within the classroom. Or simply have the children point out structures within the class room as I am showing them the book. You can also use this book to make a connection with the real world.
Lian,
ReplyDeleteWhile reading your blog, I noticed some vital information that was missing. You wrote about the illustration beautifully, but you did not write about the book itself. We know that it is an alphabet book, but what about this book makes it a great children's picture book? and a Caldecott Medal winner?
I liked how you emphasized on how the Alphabet is all around us. Children will be able to learn as they observe everything around them. It is also an important strategy to children who are visual learners, I'm happy that I saw that aspect of learners in your blog.
I enjoyed reading how you would incorporate this book into your classroom. My question for you is, what structures within the classroom? If you or a student points to a window and says, "Window starts with W," is this what you are referring to?
I liked reading your blog. I wish you could have emphasized more on the book and your lesson on the book.