Hope and Dreams

Students return to my school on Monday, August 26^th and one of many things I do with them the first week of school is help them to develop their hopes and dreams for the school year.

Yesterday, I spent time in my classroom library selecting the books that have characters that are working on making their hopes and dreams come true.

During the first week of school, I am going to read the following five books. 

Brave Irene 
By William Steig 


Despite a raging snowstorm, Irene, a dressmaker's daughter, offers to deliver the duchess' newly finished ball gown . . . With sure writing and well-composed, riveting art, Steig keeps readers with Irene every step of the long way.

 

 

 

More Than Anything Else    By Marie Bradby and Chris K. Soentpiet  

Nine-year-old Booker works with his father and brother at the saltworks but dreams of the day when he'll be able to read.

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Rumphius   By Barbara Cooney  

Alice Rumphius wanted to travel the world when she grew up, and then to live by the sea–just as her grandfather had done. But there is one more thing, he tells her: she must do something to make the world more beautiful. Young Alice does not yet know what that will be.

Tar Beach   By Faith Ringgold  

Inspired by people who have overcome adversity, Faith Ringgold creates picture books for children that celebrate freedom, courage, and peace. In Tar Beach, through her dreams and her ability to fly, Cassie makes things better for her family during the Great Depression. "Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building rooftop, the 'tar beach' of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem.

Uncle Jed'sBarbershop   By Margaree King Mitchell and James Ransome

Sarah Jean's Uncle Jed, the only black barber in the county, overcomes many setbacks, including the Great Depression of the 1930's, as he works to save enough money to open his own barber shop.

 

 

At the end of the week, I will have my students write their hopes and dreams for the school year.  They will also set goals for the first quarter of school.  At the end of each quarter they will write a reflection of that quarter’s goals and write their new goals for the next quarter.

I am always on the lookout for new books!  What books do you share with your students that focus on hopes and dreams?

Until next time!