Author Marianne Berkes Books!

Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you like marine life, music, or math, then this is the book for you! This is an incredible book with wonderful rhyme done to the tune of "Over the Meadow." Your children will want to read this book over and over again. Marianne has added some great activities and information at the end of the book.

She suggests some great finger play such as:

Octopuses "squirt": squeeze both hands
Parrotfish "grind": place thumbs under fingers and move back and forth grinding
Clownfish "dart": praying hands move quickly forward
Stingrays "stir": fists circle in a stir

I suggest you have the kids move around the room and imitate these great actions as well!

The illustrator gives lots of great techniques to use when working with clay. This book is a Benjamin Franklin Award Winner!


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Going Around The Sun: Some Planetary Fun by Marianne Berkes

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a beautiful book with outstanding illustrations. Kids love it because there are lots of things to find on every page. Marianne cleaverly calls the sun, mother, and the planets her children as she rhythmically takes you on a journey through our solar system. Children will learn their numbers as they discover interesting facts about each planet. This book is an iParenting Media Award Winner!

There are four additional pages of information about our planets as well as teaching tips from Marianne and art tips from the illustrator. One suggestion is to create a play using the rhymes in the book. Children can remember the names and the order of the planets from the sun by memorizing a simple sentence. "My Very Educated Mother Just Sent Us Nine Pizzas. Of course, that's if you want to include Pluto which has been downgraded.

Here's a great planetary art project:

The background of this book was created with a melted crayon project that you can duplicate in your classroom. Begin by sharpening crayons over a paper plate. Place the shavings between two sheets of wax paper and carefully set a warm iron on the wax paper for just an instant. The crayon will melt quickly between the two sheets of wax paper. When it cools, you can cut out shapes of the planets and tape them to a window or hang them from the ceiling with string.


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Kathy Stemke's sites:
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http://kathystemke.weebly.com