Every Living Thing
by Cynthia Rylant
In this beautiful collection of short stories, the longest clocking in at 10 pages, we see a variety of ways that animals can help people. For example, in "Slower Than the Rest," sad and struggling 10 year old Leo bonds with a turtle he finds on the highway. This relationship brings Leo new found confidence. Other stories that stand out to me are "Retired," "A Pet," "Spaghetti," "Shells," and "Stray."
Simple Texts For Expanding
I've noticed my fifth graders enjoy listening to simple picture books and then rewriting single pages by adding thought shots, dialogue, and action. The books provide the main idea and the students then provide the specific details that are missing in the book.
For instance, after reading No, David by David Shannon, students might choose to describe David's actions, thoughts, and dialogue with his mother as he tries to steal a cookie from the cookie jar.
I've found the following books or series of books are easy to adapt to this type of writing.
No, David and related books by David Shannon
Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime and related books by Bob Shea
Little Critter series by Mercer Mayer
Diary of a Worm and related books by Doreen Cronin
Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready For Bed? and related books by Barney Saltzberg
Good Night, Monkey Boy by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
