February

February themes includes:


 * Black History Month [|Activities]
 * Endangered Animals [|Activities]
 * Inventors and Inventions [|Activities]
 * Oceans [|Activities]
 * President's Day [|Activities]

Cross-Reference: **Black History Month** with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: "Speak Out"--Activities and books that could accompany Martin Luther King Day. (Library Sparks, January 2011, p. 8-15)

Valentine read-alouds: (courtesy of LM_NET)

Eileen Spinell's book Someboy Loves You, Mr. Hatch

Freckles and Willie. I THINK the author is Margery Cuyler?---


 * The Day It Rained Hearts*, Felicia Bond. Good for counting, weather and season discussion, predictions, surprise ending which can be discussed before illustration is shown. My Pre 4 year olds loved it. But with older could also do estimation.

A video of the Someboy Loves You, Mr. Hatch? being read by Hector Elizondo can be found here: http://www.storylineonline.net

Henry in Love is a lovely book, though not specifically set around Valentine's Day.

Henry and the Valentine Surprise (totally different Henry--what is it with that name?) is cute.

A String of Hearts---


 * The Story of Valentine’s Day* by Clyde Robert Bulla  is great for older elementary


 * The Valentine Bears * by Eve Bunting  is great for 3rd, 4th and younger.

Love, Splat by Rob Scotton

Porcupining by Lisa Wheele I read *Froggy's First Kiss  * by Jonathon London to my K-2 graders Arthur's Valentine *by Marc Brown  to my 3rd graders this past week.

1st and K I am reading Smelly Bill: Love Stinks. My kids really like * The Night Before  Valentine's Day*, by Natasha Wing.


 * My Love is Like a Zoo* by Michael Hall. He uses alliterations to tell the story which are coupled with these bold, bright illustrations of different animals all created using the shape of a heart. The children I have read it with have really enjoyed picking out all the heart shapes.

Little Mouse's Big Valentine by Thatcher Hurd. Read it with a K and 1st grade. Just read Froggy's Valentine by Londen which is enjoyable. Mr. Fine Porcupine by Joly. for 1st grade.

Never Too Little To Love by Jeanne Willis

Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane DeGroat

Mole's In Love by David Bedford

"My Heart's a Zoo" " Queen of Hearts  ". Stinky Smelly Feet: A Love story by Palatini