Sarah+Johnson



Non- Fiction Fluet Connie.2005. A Day in the Life of a Nurse. Capstone Press. 24 pages. Scottsdale Public Library.

In “A Day in the Life of a Nurse” it focuses on the routinue of a nurse. This piece of literature discusses how nurses start and end their shift, how the nurses work with the doctor, the types of tools they use, and whether or not they take breaks. On each of the pages that introduces a topic, a clock is shown with the time it normally is, so that students can see what time it is; it teaches children how to tell time. One other nice thing about this book is that it labels everything in a nurses’ office (examining room) and also states interesting facts. Besides the information that the book provides, a website and other books are listed as “read more”; the end of the book has a glossary to further investigate doctors. This piece of non-fiction is a higher reading level (such as first or second grade), but is short and is intringuing to its audience with the descriptions.

This piece of children’s non fiction is great for discussions on community builders. In the Arizona Early Learning standards under Social Studiens S2C2, children should demonstrate a sense of belonging to the community and the contributes of its care. For kindegarten most specifically, children should be able to identify people who make communities safe. Besides incorporating Social Studies, Science (physical development, health, and safety standard) could be touched on; such as hand washing, eating healthy, etc. This would also all lead perfectly into a writing assignment for what nurses do. Non- Fiction Fortney Mary. 1998. Fire Station Number 4- The Daily Life of Firefighters. 46 pages. Carolrhoda Books Inc. Tempe Public Library. What do firefighters do besides put out fires? In “Fire Station Number 4- The Daily Life of Firefighters”, the author focuses on the daily routine of a group of firefighters, which includes more than just fighting fires. This piece of children’s non-fiction introduces all of the members in the station, such as captains and engineers. Besides introducing everyone on the “team”, the book goes into the typical morning of a firefighter. For example, the time they arrive, what they change into, exercises they do, and the chores they do. Next the book goes into detail about fighting fires. It discusses the group of people that are involved, the gear they wear and the tools used. Besides fighting fires, firefighters work on medical calls and as paramedics. This children’s book has actual photos of the station, with men at work, along with interesting facts about the trucks, false alarms, etc. While this book is longer and more advanced it provides great detail.

This piece of children’s non-fiction works well the topic of community builders and recognizing how they keep us safe. Although this book is more advanced, the teacher could paraphrase the pages and students could be prompted to write about the daily life of a firefighter or fire safety. Besides that, children could investigate the materials/clothing firefighters wear and role-play. This book would also be wonderful for children who would like to just look at the pictures and read the facts, since they are detailed and an easier read.

Non-Fiction Minden C., & Armantrout L. 2014. Nurses. The Child’s World. 24 pages. Scottsdale Public Library.

In “Nurses”, by Minden and Armantrout, it emphasizes what it takes to be a nurse and the day in the role of a nurse. In this children’s non-fiction piece, it tells the history of nurses, how to learn about this community helper, and how someone can become a nurse. Once it goes over the background knowledge, it leads into the descriptions of what a nurse does, where the nurses work, whom the nurses work with, and what ER nurses do. This piece of children’s non-fiction is very in depth; it has bolded words that are new, with a glossary in the back. Besides the main text that is provided on each page, “interesting facts” are next to each picture with detail. In “Nurses” there is an index and also an “Investigate More” section. This children’s book would be a good first grade read; it is short and captivates the audience.

This piece of children’s non-fiction is great for the standard S2C2 under the Arizona Early Learning Standards, Social Studies: Children should demonstrate a sense of belonging to the community and contributes of its care. In kindergarten most specifically, children should be learning citizenship in the community, job descriptions, and helpers who make cities safe. Besides just reading the book, writing a sentence to stay healthy may be good or even having a discussion about how to stay healthy. Overall, this is a wonderful book and is extremely recommended for community builders.

Non- Fiction Murphy Liz. 2007. ABC Doctor. Blue Apple Books. 28 pages. Tempe Public Library.

In “ABC Doctor”, Murphy uses each letter of the alphabet to offer vocabulary words for medical professionals. The basics of seeing a doctor are covered adequately and meaningfully. With physical words/conditions such as germs, hygiene, fever, and checkup; procedures and tools also show up such as inoculation, knee brace, and reflex hammer also show up. Besides just stating the vocabulary word with each letter a brief description is noted on each page. This non-fiction story uses friendly and fun illustrations for children, yet provides meaningful information for children. This piece allows children to be prepared for the doctor visit and will hopefully allow their jitters to be put to rest.

This ABC vocabulary book teaches children everything they need to know about how to stay healthy and what community builders (doctors, nurses, and pediatricians) use to ensure that children remain healthy. With this book, one activity could be for a teacher to assign each student a letter (vocabulary definition), have him or her stand in a line, and then tell the class each of their words/definitions. This is a hands-on approach to teaching and recreating this piece of literature. One could also ensure a writing activity, having each student write one of the letters (vocabulary definition), and then doing an illustration to match the letter. This would work perfectly to fulfill the standard of teaching students about maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Non-Fiction Nolan Janet. 2010. The Firehouse Light. Tricycle Press. 32 pages. Tempe Public Library. In “The Firehouse Light”, the author Nolan goes into the history of the four-watt electric light bulb that was installed in a wooden shack in California. The author takes you through the events on how the light bulb remained continuously lit in the shack and how it became a firehouse. Besides the light staying on, the story also introduces volunteer firefighters and how as a community the profession of firefighting changed. From horses to automobiles, from buckets to hoses, Nolan does great at introducing what inventions came from each decade. With enjoyable illustrations children will learn about the history of the light bulb and how these community builders have triumphed over the years. The story ends with an “afterward” about more American history with an actual photo of the light bulb burning in Livermore to this day.

This non-fiction story is a fun, enjoyable book for students to relive history of community builders. By showing how firefighters became what they are today all with motivation of this light bulb, it will encourage students to enjoy learning about history. One activity from this book would be to make a timeline about the history of the light bulb. This could hit standards also about community builders and identifying what has come through each decade. Another activity would be to assign students a year and have them write about the inventions of firefighting at that point. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read.

Non-Fiction

Ready Dee. 1997. Fire Fighters. Capstone Press. 24 pages. Tempe Public Library.

In “Fire Fighters” the author, Dee Ready, focuses on the main idea of what firefighters do. She talks about what firefighters wear, the tools they use, what they drive, and where they work. Besides that, this piece of non-fiction discusses how these community builders’ help others, how they work with schools, and shows a hands on approach. This book is an easy read with smaller paragraphs and bigger text, along with large detailed photos. This story is short, simple, and gets right to the point about what firefighters do. Alongside the text that is provided, the workouts that firefighters do are listed along with words to know. “Fire Fighters” is a great non-fiction book for the standard S2C2 under the Arizona Early Learning Standards, Social Studies: Children should demonstrate a sense of belonging to the community and contributes of its care. Also it works well with S2C1 which is children should recognize that he/she lives in a place with many people. This non-fiction book would be great for the community builders unit and for the teacher to read aloud to the class. Discussion and writing would be easy to do with this book. It would also be great for children to try to the workouts that the firefighters do. This could relate back to the physical development, health and safety standard.

Non-Fiction

Woods Samuel. 1999. The Pediatrician. Blackbird Press Inc. 23 pages. Tempe Public Library. In “The Pediatrician” it discusses the day in the life of pediatrician; how they start their day, the types of patients they see, the questions he asks parents, how he spends his day, and where his office is and what it looks like. On each page there is a detailed photo of what the pediatrician is doing, next to the text. One other nice thing about this piece of literature is there is facts/captions under each photo. Besides the information provided in the text, there is a page with all of the shots a doctor gives, which is separated by age in months. Lastly, this non-fiction is a higher read; while the information is great for learning about community helpers the text and writing is more second grade. “The Pediatrician” by Samuel Woods is wonderful for teaching children about various helpers in the community that keep us healthy and safe. According to the Arizona Early Learning Standards, children should be able to recognize the characteristics of specific community helpers, the role they play, and descriptions about the helpers such as clothing. This piece of literature does just that. Besides just reading the book, one activity that the children could do is role-play, do writing prompts, or even relate it to the conversation of what children want to be when they grow up. There could also be a lesson on how to stay healthy. Overall, this book is great it teaching about our community and the helpers we have in it.

Fiction Singer Marilyn. 2009. I’m Getting A Checkup. Clarion Books. 32 pages. Tempe Public Library.

“I’m Getting A Checkup” is about three children and their parents as they visit their pediatrician for a typical checkup. The author uses a kid-friendly approach to make children feel less nervous about visiting the pediatrician. In this fiction piece the author takes you through the visit step-by-step in a fun read that rhymes. The author also provided great detail about everything in the doctor’s room and the waiting room. It shows the tools that doctor’s use with definitions on each page, injections, blood work, and also more examinations. The author also incorporated an “authors note” that goes into more detail about a physical examination. With fun illustrations it will rest any child’s fears about the doctors. This piece of children’s fiction is great for discussion on community builders and recognizing how although we maintain a healthy lifestyle, check-ups are routine. Under the Arizona Early Learning Standards children should be able to identify community builders and ways to keep themselves healthy. With this book, one could give each student a tool to further investigate and write about. One could also look into the science aspect of this based on the idea of maintain a healthy lifestyle. Lastly this would be a good book if children just wanted to look at pictures and learn on their own. This book hits bot related standards and is a fun read.

Fiction Slegers Liesbet. 2009. Kate Goes to the Doctor. Clavis Publishing Inc.. 24 pages. Scottsdale Public Library.

The fiction story “Katie Goes to the Doctor” is about a little girl who does not feel well and visits the doctor. The story goes step by step of how Katie did not feel well and what was wrong. She has a high temperature and needs to drink lots of liquids, and how she goes to the doctor. Once Katie gets to the doctor, the story takes the reader into the waiting room, where she sees all of the other sick kids. Katie sees the doctor and he proceeds to examine her; from having her listen to Katie’s chest and back, to looking into Katie’s ears with a light, and then to examining her throat with a q-tip and light. The story ends with Katie getting a note for the pharmacists to get medicine to feel better and the doctor's instructions to get lots of rest. This story uses illustrations of the tools the doctor uses and shows how Katie does not feel well. This fiction story is relatable for many students.

This story about Katie going to the doctor works great with two standards. First off it works well under the Arizona Early Learning Standards under health: S2C1 Children demonstrate health practice, routines and understands the functions of body parts. It is important for students to understand why they are going to the doctor and to maintain a healthy life style. It also works under Social Studies S2C2: Children are able to identify community helpers. Both of these standards could correlate with the book, from a lesson about health and also with reading and identifying sight words. Fiction Whiting Sue. 2008. The Firefighters. Candlewick Press. 32 Pages. Amazon

In “The Firefighters” written by Whiting, the students in a preschool class turn cardboard boxes into fire engines and use their imagination that they are real life firefighters. With using props that are given to children, imaginative play comes into context as the children make noises that would really occur when fighting fires. Using play-centered learning, children are able to feel what it would be life to be a firefighter. Besides using their imagination, the children in the story get a chance to meet real life firefighters and feel what it would be like for a day in their profession.

This story is great for project-based learning. With children using their creative side and imagination, they are able to feel what it would really be like in that profession. This book would be great to reenact and have children in a preschool setting recreate. Using refrigerator boxes and shiny red hats children would have the chance to pretend to be one of these community builders. One could also incorporate an art project for this book such as making their own fire truck using watercolors. This book hits all kind of standards under the Arizona Early Learning standards such as children understanding community builders, fire safety, and fine arts. This book would be highly recommended as a read-aloud during a community builders unit. It would also be wonderful to try to get real fire fighters to stop in during this unit!