The Monarch Award:
Illinois' K-3 Children's Choice Award

2007 Master List

Sponsored by the
Illinois School Library Media Association


2007 Nominee: Almost Late to School

Presents an illustrated collection of twenty-two poems about the ups and downs of life in school.

Author: Carol Diggory Shields
             Biography

Illustrated by: Paul Meisel
             Biography

Book Activities

    • Questions:  Which poem tells about something that has happened to you.? Which poem was funniest to you and why? Would you like to attend this school? Make a list of all the realistic and unbelievable excuses for being late.
    • Discuss the topics less familiar to primary students, i.e. band and science fair.
    • Writing: Brainstorm school topics and write your own school poem.
    • Language Arts: Practice reading a poem with a partner. Videotape the reading and play the tape for the class
    • Evaluation: Vote for your favorite poem or favorite book.
    • Art: Draw what would make you late to school.

Related Books

Hello School by Dee Lillegard
There's a Zoo in Room 22 by Judy Sierra
Lunch Money by Andrew Clements
There's a Bug in the Teacher's Coffee
by Kalli Dakos
Food Fight! by Carol Diggory Shields
School Supplies by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Websites

Poems for Kids
Teacher lesson plans for poems
Funny Poems for Kids

Monarch Home

2007 Nominee Resources