This column presents a brief description of Candace Fleming's book, "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" (Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Atheneum, 2002), a perfect book to share with young children about the joy and frustrations of gardening. In the book, Mr. McGreely, who has dreamed of having a garden all of his own for years, is forced to find a number of…

Describes the development of an elementary school curriculum on farms to give students a knowledge and appreciation of the farm as a food source and of the steps involved moving food from the farm to the table. Specific activities are suggested, and appropriate book titles are recommended. (Contains 10 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the value of tall tales for children and focuses on tall tale heroines that have become more prevalent and offer models of strong, resourceful, undaunted women. Includes examples of popular tall tale heroines and offers suggestions for class activities. (LRW)

This column describes the book, "The Tarantula Scientist," that features the work of arachnologist Sam Marshall, a scientist who studies spiders and their eight-legged relatives. Marshall is one of only four or five scientists who specializes in the study of tarantulas. The informative text and outstanding photographs follow Sam as he…

Presents ideas for learning activities that involve students with nonfiction books. Includes sharing interesting facts with the class; a writing phase, including submitting manuscripts to publishers and letters from editors; and a class project to create a book of interesting facts. (LRW)

Provides a list of Patricia Polacco's books that feature her signature artwork. Includes ideas for activities to extend the books into the classroom or library media center. Also lists related information sources about Polacco's life and work including Web sites. (LRW)

Focuses on plot in children's stories. Suggests that folktales can be used to demonstrate the three main stages of plot development, and illustrates with specific examples. Presents activities for engagement, exploration and explanation, evaluation, and extention. Includes a sample worksheet for developing the plot of a story. (AEF)

Describes "CultureGrams" and "StateGrams", sources that provide practical cultural information including attitudes, appearances, greetings, gestures, dating, family life, transportation, health, and education. Focuses on the edition suitable for elementary school students, explaining specific features and suggesting assignments…

Presents a biography of children's book author Laura Ingalls Wilder; suggests appropriate activities related to her and the historical period of her books; and includes an annotated bibliography of her books, biographies, information material, activity books, media adaptations, Web sites, biographical information, and literary criticism and adult…

Describes activities that can be used in library media centers or elementary school classrooms that relate to family ties and traditions. An annotated list of 34 sources of information suitable for kindergarten through third grade is included. (LRW)

Describes how to develop elementary school class activities centered around conflict resolution based on their reading assignments. Discusses how characters resolve conflicts; acting out examples of conflicts; group activities; assessment; and possible extension activities. (LRW)

Discusses the use of double meanings and figurative language or figures of speech in literature and how confusing it can be for beginning readers. Describes class activities that can help students construct, examine, and extend the meaning of what they read and includes a worksheet, evaluation suggestions, and extension activities. (LRW)

Describes how children can become immersed in the world of fairy tales through activities such as choosing a character and developing a monolog, and creating a pantomime, a prop and a piece of advice, all relevant to their character and story. Includes a list of resources. (AEF)

Uses excerpts from children's literature to describe types of gatherings that attract and bring children together. Identifies positive gathering situations (family, neighborhood, and cultural) and negative gathering situations. Presents sample activities that can be carried out in classroom settings to help students recreate gatherings and learn…

Presents a learning activity plan for teachers or librarians that helps students comprehend the author's craft element of "point of view." Focus is on first and third person point of view. Outlines student motivation methods, the procedure, extension/application activities, and assessment. Includes an activity worksheet. (AEF)