UEL Primary PGCE 2012-13 discussion

Please post links to your reviews here.

Hello Alison

Here are my three of my reviews.

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Stone Girl, Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning
by Laurence Anholt, Sheila Moxley
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

There's A Boy In The Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hi Alison,

Here are two of the three reviews, the third one is in progress, I should have it to you on Wednesday.


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

Thanks Sarah.

Thank you both- you're posting these review for your P group, not me! I look forward to reading more reviews from P5.

Hello everyone,

Here are a few reviews of some books I have enjoyed:

The Girl with the Bird's-Nest Hair
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Twits
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Incredible Book Eating Boy
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


Thanks
Emilie.

Hello everyone,
Here are some reviews of mine:

Chimp and Zee - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs -http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The World Came to My Place Today -
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
What I believe. A young persons guide to religions of the world. - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Whose House? - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Thanks, Sue

Sue wrote: "Hello everyone,
Here are some reviews of mine:

Chimp and Zee - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs -http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/......"
Some great reviews, Sue! Here's the link to your review od The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, which didn't work for some reason http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Happy Prince

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Aesop's Fables

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Magic Porridge Pot-

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hi everyone,
Here are three of my reviews:

Double Act
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Willy the Dreamer
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Room on the Broom
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Great reviews, thanks! Melissa, if you like Jacqueline Wilson you may enjoy Anne Fine or Helena Pielichaty, both of whom write great books about families and school with dilemmas and strong girl characters. Another new author I'm enjoying is Susie Day.

This is my review of 'We're going on a bear hunt'.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

This is my review of 'The Global Garden'.

The Global Garden by Kate Petty

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An amazing pop up book on plants. It demonstrates the life cycle of a plant and what the different plants produce. This book also looks at food chains and the relationship between animals and plants. It presents various fruits and how they are all grown as well as where they have come from. It illustrates from which plants, everyday food and objects have come from. It includes mini stories on how books and jeans are made. This book can be used throughout early years as well as KS1 and KS2 and the use of this book can be differentiated to meet a specific age range. It could be used for various subjects therefore I believe it is a great cross-curricular resource. It can be used for Geography, English, Science and many other subjects.It is a great book to keep children engaged and interested in a science topic about the life cycle of a plant.



View all my reviews

'Beware of the boys' book review.

Beware Of Boys by Tony Blundell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book is a great resource to support and encourage imaginative or creative writing. It can be used in various subjects. For instance this book can be used in mathematics as the ingredients as for numbers of such an such ingredients. It can be used for English comprehension enabling children to question why the boy was asking for such peculiar ingredients and constantly forgetting to ask the wolf to add salt to the ingredient list.



View all my reviews

Thank you, Micheal, Nilufa and Shimma.

Hi P5
Here are another three reviews

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Heaven Eyes by David Almond
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks Emma, I look forward to reading reviews of some of the books you'll encounter on SBT1.

Here is my review on we're going on a bear hunt
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This books is about a family that leave their home in search on a bear hunt, along there route they come across some obstacles such as grass, forest, mud, snowstorm, but they have to go through it. “We cant go over it, We cant go under it , Uh oh, we have to go through it”. The family continue on there search till they enter a cave and come across the bear, not such a surprise they become scared and run back through all the obstacles they passed along there way with the bear following behind, deciding that they will never go on a bear hunt again.

The authors really thought well of there illustrations and also wording in this book. A lot of repeating phrases that give opportunities for actions. It enables children to remain interested and feel like they are part of the family on this hunt.

I would recommend this book for age 4-8

I think this book would be ideal for story time with the children also following along with the actions. It can be used cross curricular for history when talking about mapping and also in Geography when going through the different places. It is a fantastic read.




View all my reviews

Here is my review on "The witch's children"

The Witch's Children by Ursula Jones

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The witch’s three children go out into the park and along their journey they come across Gemma who’s boat is sinking after the wind had blown it away. The child witch’s decide to try out there magic and magically turn Gemma into a frog. They tell her to swim and save her boat. Gemma returns after saving her boat and demands to be turned back into herself, but the witch’s don't know how to. They change the ice cream lady into a princess, and some other creatures into other magical things. The princess then kisses the frog which in turn changes into a prince. Witch’s still unable to turn her back and so the youngest witch does what he knows best and calls his mum. Mummy witch comes and turns everyone back carrying her children back home on her broomstick in time for tea.

I like the end of this story to which the children witch’s only way of rectifying the situation is by calling mummy. It reflects on life for children as we expect whenever anything goes wrong call your parents.

I would recommend this book for age 5-8

I think this book would be great for children to read in there own time or even in a group. It is a great story to encourage using your imagination. I love the concept adding the story of princess and the frog.




View all my reviews

Here's my review about a book called "give me half!"

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Beware of boys

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

We're going on a bear hunt

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hi P5,
Have just finished reading 'The Lion and the Unicorn' with year 6. Great book if you need anything on WWII and evacuees.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hi P5! My fourth review is on this link:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Here is review number 5!
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Yes I have been busy! Here is review number 6...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Here is my review of Where the Forest Meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Here is my review of Her Mother's Face by Roddy Doyle:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Here is my review of Miroslav Sasek's 'This is London'.
This picture book is directly linked with my English PWR.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Emma wrote: "Here is my review of Miroslav Sasek's 'This is London'.
This picture book is directly linked with my English PWR.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

That's a great idea, Emma! Don't forget to bring it with you to the English PWR session after SBT1.

Angela wrote: "Here is my review of Her Mother's Face by Roddy Doyle:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Hi Angela, have a look at the guidance for posting reviews on UEL Plus. You're writing them in the comments box, not in the review box.

Hi Alison & P5,


This is my review of "The Same Only Different"

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Sarah wrote: "Hi Alison & P5,


This is my review of "The Same Only Different"

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Thanks, Sarah. Enjoy the rest of SBT1

Here's my review of "Ruby in the Smoke", which I started reading to my Year 6 class today, hoping I don't live to regret the choice!

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

and here's my review of "The Boy in the Dress", which might have been a better choice.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks Simon! Two great reviews. If you enjoyed The Ruby in the Smoke you may like Twelve Minutes to Midnight; a great read for Y6.

Matilda

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

BFG

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Witches

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Suitcase Kid

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51...

The Illustrated Mum

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Bed and Breakfast Star

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Rachael_rebecca wrote: "Matilda

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

BFG

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Witches

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Suitcase Kid

http://w..."

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... is the link to your review rather than the book.

If you like Roald Dahl, you might enjoy Andy Stanton or David Walliams, and if you enjoy Jacqueline Wilson you might like Helena Pielichaty or Fiona Dunbar

Here is my review of War Game by Michael Foreman.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Here is my review of 'The Gruffalo'
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks Steve and Nwakaego

hey guys heres my review on I want to win,
Tony Ross
A Little Princess Story: I Want to Win

This book is about a little girl, who is referred to as a little princess. Which I assume because she is so spoilt. The little girl wants to win everything, she wants to win so bad that she either chats her way to winning or people just let her win. I really enjoyed reading this book as a young girl, because the main character reminded me allot of myself at that age. The funniest part in the story is on sports day when the little princess partakes in a race. But because she starts to lose the race, she calls out to the other competitors saying that there going the wrong way.
Later on in the story the little princess goes to school, whereby she realises that wining isn’t so easy anymore. She tries her hardest to win one of the four big trophies in her school cabinet, but unfortunately despite her efforts she’s not successful. Nevertheless what the little princes didn’t realise is that there were actually five trophies, and the last one was actually for her. The little princes won a trophy, fairly for her effort.
“I want to win” would be a good book to read to an early year’s class as it teaches them so many lessons for life, such as; that sometimes even though you try your best at something, someone else may be better at it than you. Also that wining is so much better when it is achieved on fair merit. This book is one of a collection of books from this author, and I feel all the books in the collection would make for a good read as they all teach a range of life lessons with a spin on them.
I Want to Win!

hey guys heres my review of little miss Bad
Little Miss Bad
By Roger Hargreaves
The story starts with little Miss Bad looking back on her week, at all the bad things that had happened throughout the week. Things such as; Mr Forgetful car been swan in half , Mr Uppity’s tennis racquet been swapped for spaghetti and the cream in Mr Greedy’s cream bun being swapped for toothpaste. Lots of people were unhappy they wanted to know was who was responsible for all the mischief.
So Little Miss Sunshine thinks up a plan to catch the person responsible. She creates a fake competition to discover the most mischievous, naughty or bad trick played in the last week, whereby the winner would be rewarded with a free holiday. Once little Miss Bad hears of the competition she enters it, and is overjoyed as she believes she has already won.
The competition day approaches and everyone turns up, Little Miss Sunshine explains the rules and states that the first candidate will be Little Miss Bad. Who eagerly approaches the stage and starts telling all her tricks, from the beginning of the week to the day before the competition. Little Miss Bad is so engrossed in telling her story that she fails to realise that the crowd is not cheering her on and that she has been tricked into confessing.
As a child I particularly enjoyed reading these books as I loved the names of the Mr Men and I loved the way in each story someone always got taught a lesson . I used to be fascinated with the pictures and the colours on the pages. In my opinion an appropriate age range would be nursery, because although there are nice bright pictures these books are a little bit wordy so an adult would need to read it to the child. They would be good books to read to a nursery class as the children will be able to identify the various different Mr men and also broaden their vocabulary.
Little Miss Bad

heres one more!
The Diamond Girls
Jacqueline Wilson
The story is based on a single parent family of four girls, it is told through the eyes of the youngest child Dixie, which is why the book is written in first person narrative. The mum comes home to tell the girls that they are moving to a better house on a different estate, a house that would be better suited for the whole family as she is expecting a new born. Upon arriving at their new home, the family is disappointed as the house is not quite what they expected. However after much contention the family tries to pull together, to make the best of a bad situation. The house is in the middle of nowhere and in a very bad condition. Throughout the her pregnancy the mother tells her girls that she will be having a baby boy but when she gives birth she has a girl but she is so embarrassed to have got it so wrong that she tries to conceal the babies gender .
Within the story the author tries to cover some serious issues such as depression and child abuse, but she does it in a grown up way which I feel that children would appreciate. I think the way the story is written make s it possible for any young person to relate to it and put themselves in the writers shoes. Although there are no pictures it is very easy for the reader to paint a picture of what is happening. The book is not a difficult book to read and I think it is the kind of book young people should be reading, it covers contemporary issues and has a lot of subject matter.
I believe this book would be good for independent reading in a year five or six class, as it covers a wide range of topics which I feel that they could relate directly to. I also feel that the author uses a wide range of vocabulary which I think will help benefit the children’s independent writing and promote creativity in such tasks.
The Diamond Girls

Thanks Joanne- it's fine to just post the link to your review. See the guidance on UEL Plus if you're not sure how to do this.

Thanks Alison, I've fixed that mistake now and my reviews are in the right place.
Angela.
Alison wrote: "Angela wrote: "Here is my review of Her Mother's Face by Roddy Doyle:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Hi Angela, have a look at the guidance for posting reviews on UEL Plus. You're..."

Angela wrote: "Thanks Alison, I've fixed that mistake now and my reviews are in the right place.
Angela.
Alison wrote: "Angela wrote: "Here is my review of Her Mother's Face by Roddy Doyle:
http://www.goodreads.c..."
Thanks, Angela!

Hey Alison
Here's my review on Have you ever ever ever?
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Acey wrote: "Hey Alison
Here's my review on Have you ever ever ever?
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15..."
This is the link to the book, but there is no review. Have a look at the guide on UEL Plus if you're not sure how to do it.