October Reads for the Classroom

Now that you have settled into the classroom, October is here with its pumpkin spiced lattes, crisp cool air and most importantly, Halloween! I have compiled a small list of books that you maybe you can use in the classroom. 

Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson

I am a big fan of the bear series by Karma Wilson, and have most of the books in my collection. I love that there is a repetitive pattern in every single book such as “bear feels sick”, “bear wants more”, “bear feels scared”, etc. This creates opportunities to create a chant or song that the students can sing/chant at that point in the book. The reason I like this particular book in the series for October, is because the pictures show a cold, windy forest, with the bear getting lost in trying to find his way home. This is relevant for how the weather is changing outside, and the types of weather that the students are beginning to experience, particularly in the Northern part of the United States. ​

The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis 

This is another great book to use around Halloween time, that you can have fun with chant. The book is great for keeping a steady beat to, but the repetitive nature of the chant is the real winner for me. The repetitive chant that occurs as the pumpkin is rolling through the town, is great for students to chant with, play rhythm sticks with, and do the movements that go with the chant. 

This book is also a great introduction to playing circle games such as Pass the Pumpkin, etc. I like to start with this book and then continue to Pass the Pumpkin. 

Monster Trouble! By Lane Fredrickson 

October is not complete without a book about monsters! This book is a great rhyming book to use during the month when all things ghoulish are in style. I love using this as an introduction to the lesson, and getting my students to keep the steady beat while I read. This book makes a scary topic like monsters seem funny and friendly, as she shows the monsters in the book that she is completely not afraid of them. In addition, there is possibility for vocal exploration in making hissing sounds along with the characters in the book. 

As a follow up, I love to use the book Glad Monster, Sad Monster to have the students understand and discuss the various feelings they see in the book and that consequently can occur in music. 

Dia de los Muertos by Hannah Eliot 

This is a great introduction to the holiday of Dia de los Muertos! This year the holiday occurs on November 1st, and if you like to sing and dance to traditional Mexican music, this book introduces the holiday. It is short and very colorful, and delivers just the right amount of information to young learners about this holiday. One of the things that is done during Dia de Los Muertos is dance. This is a great way to teach your students some of the traditional dances like the “Mexican Hat Dance” or sing “La Cucaracha”, as dancing is seen as a way to honor those who have passed. 

Another book that you can connect this to is called “Danza! Amalia Hernandez and El Ballet Folklorico Mexico” by Duncan Tonatiuh. This is an in depth look at the first ballet company specializing in Mexican folkloric dance, founded by Amalia Hernandez. I wrote a lesson on this book for musicconstructed.com and you can access that here.

I hope that these books can help you have a wonderful and productive October!
Polina 

​