Welcome! I’m an ESL teacher based in Korea. This is my learning site for ESL 1st graders (or others!), where I’ll post free mini lessons and extra practice materials. Cheers!🌞
Context clues are extremely relevant and important when learning any language. Although it seems complicated at first, once you form the habit of looking for context clues, your writing and vocabulary comprehension will increase a lot.
Look at this picture:
How is she feeling?
Angry! Mad! Upset!
Good job, you just used a context clue!
You guessed how someone is feeling just by looking at them.
You can do the same thing with sentences.
Let’s look at this sentence:
The gloop was sticky and stuck to my fingers.
The mystery word is gloop.
Just by looking at the sentence, what do yo think gloop means?
Maybe glue, slime, or dough?
Why did you think that??
You read “sticky and stuck to my fingers”, and you were able to guess that gloop means something similar!
Good job! You used context clues to find the meaning of a new word. 🙂 Gloop isn’t actually a real word, but now let’s try a harder one with a real word:
My dog is very loyal, so he always stays by my side and follows me everywhere.
The mystery word is loyal.
Look at the sentence. Which parts can tell you what the word means?
If you said, “stays by my side” and “follows me everywhere”, you are correct!
Now, what do you think the word loyal means?
If you said something like “faithful,” or “always with you,” you are correct!
This one was a bit harder, but you can do the same thing for every sentence when you see a word that you don’t know.
There isn’t always an exact correct answer to these; it’s helpful to know synonyms or similar words to the mystery word. Increasing your vocabulary is really important.
Here is a worksheet to practice finding the meaning of words using context clues. Don’t feel bad if you don’t know any of them! I purposely chose more difficult words that you probably don’t know, so that you can practice using context clues more efficiently.
1. Underline the clues in the sentence that tell us what the mystery word means.
2. Write the clues on the “Clues” blank.
3. Write what you think the mystery word means on the “Possible meaning” line.
The answer key that I have given has some words with similar meanings; like I said, there isn’t always just one correct answer to these.
This next sheet is a bit more complex, and builds on the last. Now that you have found the context clues in the sentences above, use those same words to make YOUR OWN sentences. Do not copy the ones I gave you! Be creative!
Imagine that you are making the sentences for a younger kindergarten kid who doesn’t know any of the words. What clues would you give them to help them understand? Try to add details, but make them CONNECT to the word. Don’t just go crazy writing a sentence with no goal.
Pip was an apprentice. He was learning how to make potions from his master. One day, the master said, “Pip, today we will make a magnificent potion. It will be beautiful and shiny. But you must follow the rules.” Pip was very excited. He wanted to make the potion right away.
The master showed Pip the ingredients on the table. There were dazzling powders that sparkled like sunshine. There were luminous liquids that glowed softly in their jars. “We must be very careful,” the master said. “First, we add the blue powder. Second, we add the glowing water.”
The master gave Pip the list of steps. “You must add each ingredient one at a time,” he said. But Pip felt very impatient. He did not want to wait. He wanted to see a fast and spectacular result. He thought, “I can do this my own way!”
So, Pip did not follow the master’s rules. He poured everything into the pot at once. He expected a beautiful potion. Instead, he made a thick, grey sludge. It looked like sticky mud. Suddenly, the pot started to shake. It made a loud noise and then POP! The sludge exploded everywhere.
The workshop was in complete disarray. Grey goo dripped from the ceiling. There was a tremendous mess on the floor and on the walls. Pip was covered in sticky sludge. The master came in and saw the mess. He was not angry. He smiled kindly.
“I know you feel like you need to make the perfect potion, but you should remember to follow every rule exactly the way I told you to. That way, you won’t get covered in goo!”
The master helped Pip clean up. Then, they started over. This time, Pip followed every step. The final potion was a success! It was a beautiful swirl of colors. Pip learned that making good concoctions takes time and patience.
In a cozy workshop tucked inside the trunk of a giant willow tree, lived a young gnome named Pip. His ears were pointy, his hair was the color of grass, and his heart was full of big dreams. Pip was the one and only apprentice to the wisest potion-maker in the Whispering Woods, an old gnome named Master Elm. Master Elm was brilliant, but also famously grumpy. His long, white beard was burned at the tips from leaning too close to bubbling cauldrons. All day long, Pip dreamed of creating magnificent potions that shined with rainbow colors.
Instead, his jobs were very boring. He would meticulously scrub the heavy cauldrons until they were as clear as mirrors, grind moon flowers into a fine, silver dust, and organize many luminous river stones by their exact size and how brightly they glowed. “These tasks are the foundation of all magic, Pip,” Master Elm would grumble, not looking up from his work. “Do not rush them, or your potions will fail.”
Pip would let out a long sigh and watch his master create his magic. Master Elm would take the simple, perfectly prepared things Pip had worked on, and with immense care and focus, mix them into the most amazing concoctions. He made potions to help flowers bloom in winter, and potions that could make a person sing with the beautiful, clear voice of a bird. The workshop shelves, which reached all the way to the ceiling, were filled with dazzling and mysterious ingredients that Pip wanted to use. There were jars of sunlight, iridescent feathers from a phoenix that had caught fire, and tiny glass bottles holding dew that had been carefully collected from a dragon’s tears. He had cried when his jewels had been stolen. Pip was sure that the secret to great potions was in these rare items. If he could just use them, he was sure he could create the most wonderful potion the world had ever seen.
One sunny morning, Master Elm announced he had to leave. He needed to journey to the Foggy Fen to find a rare, singing mushroom, which sang a little tune when it was ready to be picked. “Pip,” he said, pointing a wrinkled finger at him. “Your only job today is to organize the crystal bottles by size. Dust them, line them up, and do not touch anything else. The phoenix feathers are volatile right now. Am I understood?” Pip nodded his head so hard his hat almost fell off, but inside, he had a more exciting idea. He felt so impatient, like a bottle of bubbling soda waiting to be opened. As soon as the door clicked shut behind his master, Pip decided this was his chance. He would prove to Master Elm that he was ready for more than just boring chores. He was going to create something truly spectacular.
With a big smile, Pip excitedly pulled the most amazing ingredients from the highest shelves. He didn’t bother with the measuring cups or scales. He poured a whole jar of captured sunlight into the biggest cauldron, where it sloshed around like liquid gold. He tossed in three phoenix feathers, which hissed as they hit the liquid. For extra sparkle, he added a huge handful of shimmering dust from a fallen star. He just threw in everything that looked beautiful and powerful, humming a little tune to himself as if he were the master. He stirred the wild mixture with a silver ladle, expecting a brilliant flash of rainbow light. Instead, the concoction began to bubble slowly and angrily. It thickened and churned, turning from a beautiful gold into a thick, lumpy, disgusting grey sludge that smelled like burnt toast and wet socks. It did not sparkle at all.
Pip stared into the cauldron, his happy grin completely gone. He was looking at a disappointing, lumpy grey goo. “Oh no,” he whispered. Suddenly, the sludge began to tremble and hiss loudly, like an angry cat. A huge bubble formed in the middle, growing bigger and bigger until, with a deafening FWOOMP, the potion exploded out of the cauldron! The sticky, warm grey mess flew everywhere. It splattered across the curved wooden walls, dripped from the enchanted lanterns on the ceiling, and covered Pip from the tip of his hat to the toes of his boots. The beautiful, cozy workshop was in complete disarray. Just then, the door creaked open. Master Elm stood there, holding a red mushroom, his eyes wide as he looked at the tremendous mess. Pip felt his face turn red with shame. He wished he could melt into the floor like the goo.
But Master Elm did not yell or shout. He looked at the dripping walls, at the goo-covered floor, and finally at the goo-covered Pip. He let out a long, slow sigh that seemed to carry all the tiredness in the world.
“Ah,” he said calmly, taking a careful step inside. “It seems you have learned a very valuable, and very messy, lesson.”
He explained that magnificent ingredients are not what make a potion great.
“The most important ingredients, Pip, are not found on a shelf. They are patience and care. The ‘boring’ jobs I give you teach you the fundamentals. They teach you to be careful and to respect the process of creation.”
Together, they started to clean up the sticky mess. Afterwards, Master Elm showed Pip how to take one moon-petal, a drop of water, and a single luminous stone, and slowly, carefully, create a simple but very useful potion to make plants grow strong and healthy. Pip finally understood. The real magic wasn’t in the rare, flashy items, but in the quiet patience it took to do things the right way.
Update: The first version of this worksheet was missing some pages. Here is the correct version!
Something that I always strongly, strongly emphasize in my lessons is making sentences longer. Don’t just give me a boring, short sentence; try to add more RELEVANT information. However, 1st graders really struggle with this, so it’s like a daily game of tug-of-war, trying to get them to add details.
So, today I’m going to create some practice for that! And I’m going to specifially use the W words (plus one H) to do so.
You should know the W words, say them with me now:
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
How?
So, how can we use these to improve our writing?
Ask yourself these questions when you write sentences:
Who? – Who is in the sentence?
What? – What are they doing?
Where? – Where is it happening?
When? – When is it happening?
How? – How are they doing it?
I want you to learn how to create a picture in your mind, with all of these questions being answered.
If you are struggling to remember each part, try counting them on your fingers, and put one finger down when you do write it:
That way, you can write without forgetting each part and having to look back at the list of words.
Here’s a very awesome, amazing, well-written sentence that took me HOURS to come up with:
The dog runs.
What do you think? Great, right? 😀
…No?
Yeah… it’s a sad sentence with no cool W words. So, let’s try to answer the questions and add some fun words:
Who? – Who is in the sentence? —> The big brown dog
What? – What are they doing? —> running around the park
Where? – Where is it happening? —> in the park
When? – When is it happening? —> on a sunny day
How? – How are they doing it? —> very fast
Remember, there is no correct answer to these. It’s all up to you and your imagination. When you have a boring sentence, try to put the sentence into a cool world with lots of ideas. But, make sure it makes sense!
Next, we should put all these idea together into one cool, awesome, spectacular sentence.
Try your best to put them all together into ONE sentence. Avoid making 2. You don’t have to just put them in the same order as you first wrote them! Mix it up! Sentences are clay, and you can mix the colors just like you want to! You can always erase words that you dont need. Just keep the MAIN parts, the ones that answer the W questions.
This is how I might mix these into a sentence:
The big brown dog was running around the park very fast on a sunny day.
we just made this picture! 🙂
Now, it’s time for you to try!!! Yipee!!!
Make these 10 gross, sad sentences into amazing, cool, incredible ones, using W words:
Next, watch the video and answer the questions. Make sure to be writing in COMPLETE sentences. Your grammar doesn’t have to be perfect, but you need a good answer!
I’ve had lots of parents ask for book lists, and although I have a list of websites that one can browse through to find something they like, I wanted to provide a more specific list of books with a short description and what reading level I think would match them. This list will be updated over time; I’ll add more books as I discover them.
I have included links to the books under each one. I tried to keep it limited to 교보문고 or 쿠팡, but these can also be found elsewhere, like on Amazon. When possible, I have attached an image that I could find of the inside of the book, just to give an idea of what the contents will be like.
I have also included a Korean translation for my mini descriptions for parents…however, I am using a translator for these (it will take me a year if I do it myself), so the translations might be a bit awkward. Sorry in advance! 😟
I recommend asking your child what they like, and trying out the 1st book in a series before buying the rest! Some kids who read a lot of fantasy might benefit from a simple nonfiction book, and vice versa. Sometimes kids who love nonfiction need some fiction to broaden their creativity. Every student is different, so don’t fret if you can’t find something on the first try!
A great way to increase both learning and immersion is to look up read alouds of some of the books. Not all of them have it, but many are on YouTube. If you want them to practice speaking, make them read aloud with the video, or record their speaking so that they can listen and hear where their own pronunciation is awkward. They’ll giggle and blush at first, but eventually they’ll start paying attention when they talk.
Remember: Long Book doesn’t equal Better Book! 🙂 All reading has benefits, even if it isn’t a difficult one.
많은 학부모님들께서 도서 목록을 요청하셨다. 현재는 학부모님들께서 직접 둘러볼 수 있는 웹사이트 목록을 가지고 있지만, 이번에는 내가 직접 특정 도서 목록을 제공하고자 한다. 각 책에는 간단한 설명과 추천 독서 수준을 함께 표기하였다. 이 목록은 시간이 지남에 따라 새로운 책을 발견하면 계속 업데이트할 예정이다.
각 책 아래에는 구매할 수 있는 링크를 첨부하였다. 주로 교보문고나 쿠팡 링크를 사용하였으나, 아마존 등 다른 곳에서도 찾아볼 수 있다. 가능하다면 책 속의 일부 이미지를 함께 첨부하여, 학부모님들께서 책의 실제 구성을 미리 확인할 수 있도록 하였다.
책에 대한 간단한 설명은 한국어 번역도 함께 제공하였다. 다만, 번역기는 사용하였기 때문에 조금 어색할 수 있다. 이 점 양해 부탁드린다. 😟
아이에게 무엇이 흥미로운지 직접 물어보고, 시리즈를 구매할 때는 우선 1권을 시도해 보는 것을 권한다. 판타지를 많이 읽는 학생은 간단한 논픽션 책에서 도움을 받을 수 있고, 반대로 논픽션만 좋아하는 학생은 창의성을 확장하기 위해 소설을 접해보는 것이 좋다. 모든 학생은 다르므로, 첫 시도에 맞는 책을 찾지 못하더라도 크게 걱정할 필요는 없다.
학습과 몰입을 동시에 높이는 좋은 방법 중 하나는 책의 낭독 영상을 찾아보는 것이다. 모든 책이 있는 것은 아니지만, 많은 경우 유튜브에서 확인할 수 있다. 말하기 연습을 원한다면, 아이에게 영상을 따라 소리 내어 읽게 하거나 직접 녹음해서 들어보게 하는 것도 좋다. 처음에는 쑥스럽고 웃음을 터뜨리겠지만, 점차 자신의 발음을 더 의식하게 될 것이다.
기억해야 할 점은 “책이 길다고 해서 더 좋은 책은 아니다”라는 것이다. 난이도와 상관없이 모든 읽기는 분명한 학습 효과가 있다.
Fiction:
⭐Judy Moody by Megan McDonald: Has a similar main character to the Junie B. Jones series, if your child likes them. A good starting chapter book. There are 3 series: Judy Moody, Judy Moody & Friends, Judy Moody & Stink.
A sweet and endearing series about the friendship between a boy named Henry and his large dog, Mudge. Great for kids who like low-stress stories. A good starting book for younger kids. 헨리와 머지 이야기는 헨리라는 소년과 그의 커다란 개 머지의 우정에 대한 달콤하고 사랑스러운 시리즈예요. 스트레스 없는 이야기를 좋아하는 아이들에게 아주 좋아요. 어린 아이들을 위한 좋은 시작 책이 될 거예요. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000002741886
⭐Dragons Love Tacosby Adam Rubin A young boy tries to throw a taco party for some dragons, leading to a hilarious lesson about why you should never, ever give dragons spicy salsa. A funny and accessible book for low level readers.
어린 소년이 용들을 위해 타코 파티를 열려고 하지만, 용들에게 매운 살사를 주면 절대 안 되는 이유를 깨닫게 되는 유쾌한 교훈을 담고 있습니다. 낮은 독서 수준의 아이들이 쉽고 재미있게 읽을 수 있는 책입니다.
⭐The Day the Crayons Quitby Drew Daywalt Poor Duncan just wants to color, but when he opens his crayon box, he finds letters from all of his crayons that have decided to quit. Each crayon has a funny complaint, from Red wanting a vacation to Pink feeling underused. Not too challenging, and fun for readers who like humorous books.
Duncan은 그저 색칠을 하고 싶었을 뿐인데, 크레용 상자를 열어보니 모든 크레용들이 일을 그만두겠다는 내용의 편지를 발견하게 됩니다. 빨강은 휴가를 달라고 하고, 분홍은 제대로 쓰이지 못해 불만을 토로하는 등 각 크레용의 불만이 재미있게 담겨 있습니다. 난이도가 높지 않아 유머러스한 책을 좋아하는 독자에게 즐거움을 선사합니다.
⭐The Very Impatient Caterpillarby Ross Burach This is the story of a very impatient caterpillar who struggles to wait for the chrysalis to work its magic. He repeatedly asks if he’s a butterfly yet, and his impatience provides a humorous look at metamorphosis. Good for all levels, especially lower ones who are learning about how to grasp the world.
몹시 참을성 없는 애벌레가 번데기에서 마법이 일어나기를 기다리며 고군분투하는 이야기입니다. 그는 끊임없이 “나 아직도 나비 아니야?”라고 묻는데, 그의 조급함이 변태 과정을 유머러스하게 보여줍니다. 세상의 이치를 배워나가는 낮은 연령대의 독자들을 포함한 모든 독자들에게 좋은 책입니다.
⭐Captain Underpantsseries by Dav Pilkey Two fourth-grade pranksters, George and Harold, hypnotize their mean principal into becoming Captain Underpants, a goofy superhero. The books are filled with imaginative and crude humor, along with flip-o-rama pages for an extra bit of fun. Good for older kids who can understand the humor, and with more difficult words. 장난기 넘치는 두 4학년 학생, 조지와 해롤드가 심술궂은 교장 선생님을 바보 같은 슈퍼히어로 ‘캡틴 언더팬츠’로 최면을 겁니다. 이 책은 상상력이 풍부하고 엉뚱한 유머로 가득하며, ‘플립-오-라마(flip-o-rama)’ 페이지가 추가적인 재미를 선사합니다. 유머를 이해할 수 있고 좀 더 어려운 단어를 읽을 수 있는 나이가 많은 아이들에게 좋습니다.
⭐I Want My Hat Backby Jon Klassen A bear’s hat has gone missing, and he politely asks all the animals he meets if they have seen it. The clever and darkly humorous ending will have readers giggling with surprise. Very easy to read and short. 곰이 잃어버린 모자를 찾기 위해 만나는 모든 동물들에게 정중하게 모자를 보았는지 묻는 이야기입니다. 기발하면서도 약간은 어두운 유머가 담긴 반전 결말은 독자들을 놀라게 하며 웃음을 자아냅니다. 매우 쉽고 짧아 읽기 편한 책입니다.
⭐ Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling:
This is a mystery series about a girl with disabilities, which is a great way to teach kids about them. It is a chapter book series with more difficult words, so I recommend this to kids who are comfortable with a challenge. 이 미스터리 시리즈는 장애를 가진 소녀에 대한 이야기로, 아이들에게 장애에 대해 가르치기 좋은 방법이에요. 이 책은 챕터북 시리즈이며, 좀 더 어려운 단어가 나오기 때문에 도전을 좋아하는 아이들에게 추천합니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000028265046
⭐ Here’s Hank by Henry Winkler:
A series about a boy with learning difficulties. This is a chapter book with fairly simple language, at a solid middle ground skill level.
⭐ Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale:
A fun series about a princess who secretly fights monsters at night. It has beautiful illustrations, and although it isn’t packed with words, the wide range of vocabulary could prove a bit of a challenge. Great for kids who are fans of Disney princesses. 이 시리즈는 밤에 몰래 괴물과 싸우는 공주의 재미있는 이야기예요. 아름다운 삽화가 특징이며, 글이 많지는 않지만 다양한 어휘 때문에 조금 어려울 수도 있어요. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000003195492
⭐ Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows:
This series follows Ivy and Bean, two best friends with very different personalities. A great series to introduce chapter books to young 1st graders.
One of my personal favorite series as a child- this is a classic series about the friendship and simple daily lives of two friends, Frog and Toad. Good for kids who are still learning how to read without someone helping them.
⭐ Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish (or Herman Parish for later books):
Another one of my personal favorites! Stories about a housekeeper, who misunderstands words a lot, leading to funny situations. This is actually a simple book to read, but I find that the humor tends to get missed by younger/less advanced readers.
Adventure and Fantasy: ⭐ A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy:
Follows three friends who solve mysteries, with each book focusing on a letter of the alphabet. These are great chapter books for the comfortable reader.
Stories about Cam Jansen, a girl with a photographic memory who uses it to solve mysteries. A good series to introduce chapter books to young learners. Also good for light, casual reading for mid-level readers.
A fantasy adventure series about a girl named Zoey who helps her mother care for magical creatures. Quite full of words, but not super difficult to read. Good for kids who like magical worlds with low stakes.
A series about a boy who attends an academy to become a dragon slayer. Kids who like dragons will love this series. A good mid-to-high level difficulty series.
이 시리즈는 드래곤 슬레이어가 되기 위해 아카데미에 다니는 소년에 대한 이야기입니다. 용을 좋아하는 아이들이라면 이 시리즈를 정말 좋아할 거예요. 중급에서 상급 난이도의 독자들에게 적합한 시리즈입니다. https://link.coupang.com/a/cCUgEJ
⭐The Wild Robot by Peter Brown:
A sweet story about a robot who is stranded on a wild island and learns to survive and grow. A long chapter book, I’d recommend this to advanced readers who are able to read longform novels.
A fantasy adventure series about siblings who travel through a magic mirror into fairy tales and accidentally change the original stories. Great for kids who like Disney. However, the books are fairly long and I would recommend it to mid-high level readers who are comfortable reading chapter books.
These books are hilarious, ans most kids like the series. They feature A.J., a second grader, and his experiences with the quirky and often wacky teachers and staff at Ella Mentry School. The humor is silly and appeals strongly to this age group. The writing is easy to understand, and I recommend it for low to mid level readers.
이 책들은 정말 재미있고 대부분의 아이들이 좋아하는 시리즈입니다. 주인공 A.J.는 2학년 학생으로, 엘라멘트리 학교의 엉뚱하고 유쾌한 선생님들과 직원들을 만나며 겪는 이야기를 담고 있습니다. 유머가 유치하면서도 아이들에게 딱 맞는 웃음을 주며, 글이 쉬워서 저학년 또는 중간 수준의 독자들에게 추천합니다.
This is an extremely popular fantasy series that’s specifically designed for early chapter book readers. It has larger font, plenty of illustrations on every page, and engaging magical adventures about young dragon masters and their dragons.
이 시리즈는 어린이용 판타지 챕터북 중에서도 매우 인기 있는 시리즈입니다. 어린 독자들을 위해 글씨가 크고, 모든 페이지에 그림이 많이 들어 있으며, 어린 드래곤 마스터들과 그들의 드래곤이 함께 펼치는 흥미진진한 마법 모험 이야기를 담고 있습니다.
⭐Owl Diaries (A Branches Book) by Rebecca Elliott:
It follows a young owl who writes in her diary about her daily life, school, friends, and adventures in the whimsical world of Treetopolis. It’s colorful and highly illustrated, and not difficult to read.
주인공은 어린 부엉이로, 자신의 일상, 학교 생활, 친구들, 그리고 나무들의 도시인 트리토폴리스에서의 모험을 일기 형식으로 기록합니다. 책 전체가 알록달록하고 그림이 풍부하게 들어 있어 쉽게 읽을 수 있습니다.
If your child loves video games, this is a perfect fit! The series follows the adventures of a boy named Sunny and his best friend, who enter the world of their favorite video game. It’s action-packed with bright, comic-book style illustrations. Easy to read and I’d recommend it for all levels.
아이들이 게임을 좋아한다면 이 시리즈가 딱 맞습니다! 주인공 써니와 그의 가장 친한 친구가 좋아하는 비디오 게임 속 세계로 들어가 펼쳐지는 모험을 담고 있습니다. 책 전체가 액션으로 가득하고, 밝고 만화 같은 그림이 많이 들어 있어 재미있게 읽을 수 있습니다. 글도 쉬워서 모든 수준의 아이들에게 추천합니다.
Katie Woo is a spunky second grader who gets into all sorts of relatable everyday situations, from school mishaps to family fun. The stories are short, sweet, and feature a diverse cast of characters. I’d recommend these for early level readers who need help reading independently.
케이티 우는 발랄하고 당찬 2학년 학생으로, 학교에서의 작은 실수부터 가족과의 즐거운 시간까지 아이들이 공감할 수 있는 다양한 일상 속 상황을 겪습니다. 이야기는 짧고 귀여우며, 다양한 인물들이 등장합니다. 혼자 책을 읽는 연습이 필요한 초급 독자들에게 추천하는 시리즈입니다.
Alvin Ho is a second grader who is afraid of EVERYTHING, especially school. At school, he’s so scared he can’t speak, but at home, he transforms into “Firecracker Man.” These books are genuinely funny and endearing, dealing with themes of anxiety and overcoming fears in a humorous way. I’d recommend these to a mid-high level reader.
앨빈 호는 모든 것이 무서운 2학년 학생입니다, 특히 학교가요. 학교에서는 너무 긴장해서 말을 못 하지만, 집에만 가면 ‘파이어크래커 맨’으로 변신합니다. 이 시리즈는 불안과 두려움을 유쾌하게 풀어낸 정말 재미있고 따뜻한 이야기입니다. 중상급 독자들에게 추천합니다.
Dory is the youngest sibling with an incredibly wild imagination. She creates imaginary friends which often get her into hilarious trouble. It’s quirky, funny, and great for kids with big imaginations. An easy read for kids at lower levels, or for mid-level children who need something casual.
도리는 상상력이 아주 풍부한 막내입니다. 도리는 상상 속 친구들을 만들어 내는데, 이 친구들 때문에 종종 웃긴 소동에 휘말리기도 합니다. 이 시리즈는 엉뚱하고 유쾌하며, 상상력이 풍부한 아이들에게 딱 어울립니다. 글이 쉬워서 초급 수준의 아이들이나, 중간 수준 아이들이 가볍게 읽기에도 좋습니다.
This is a popular graphic novel-style series, which follows a group of “bad guys” who decide to try and be good. It’s full of humor, action, and surprising twists, with a very dynamic visual style. While it looks like a graphic novel, the text is accessible. Although there aren’t tons of words, the themes and vocab are pretty complex, so I’d recommend this series to a mid-to-high level reader.
이 시리즈는 그래픽노블 스타일로 매우 인기 있는 책입니다. ‘나쁜 놈들’로 알려진 등장인물들이 착한 일을 해보려고 모험을 떠나는 이야기를 담고 있습니다. 유머, 액션, 예상치 못한 반전이 가득하고, 그림도 아주 역동적입니다. 겉보기엔 그래픽노블처럼 보이지만, 글이 어렵지 않아 접근하기 쉽습니다. 단어 수는 많지 않지만 주제나 어휘가 조금 복잡한 편이라, 중상급 독자들에게 추천합니다.
Gooney Bird Greene is a unique and charismatic second grader who arrives in class with fantastic, seemingly outlandish true stories about her life. She inspires her classmates to tell their own stories and teaches them about narrative. This author is famous in the West, and her other book, “The Giver”, might ring a bell. This book is much more humorous, and I’s give it to a mid-high level student who likes unique characters.
구니 버드 그린은 독특하고 매력적인 2학년 학생으로, 학교에 와서 자신의 삶에 대한 놀랍고 엉뚱해 보이는 ‘진짜’ 이야기들을 들려줍니다. 그녀 덕분에 반 친구들도 자신의 이야기를 용기 있게 나누게 되고, 이야기 쓰기의 재미를 배웁니다. 이 책의 작가는 서양에서 매우 유명한 분으로, 특히 『더 기버(The Giver)』라는 책으로 잘 알려져 있습니다. 하지만 이 책은 훨씬 더 유쾌하고 재미있으며, 개성 있는 주인공을 좋아하는 중상급 학생들에게 추천합니다.
⭐My Father’s Dragonby Ruth Stiles Gannett Elmer Elevator travels to Wild Island to rescue a baby dragon that is being held captive by lazy animals. He uses his quick thinking and a few clever items from his knapsack to outsmart the animals and free the dragon. A little more challenging, these books would be good for the intermediate reader who is used to chapter books. 엘머 엘리베이터는 야생섬에 갇혀 있는 아기 용을 구하기 위해 여행을 떠납니다. 그는 자신의 재치와 배낭 속 몇 가지 물건들을 이용해 게으른 동물들을 속이고 용을 자유롭게 해줍니다. 이 책은 다소 난이도가 있어 챕터북에 익숙한 중급 독자에게 적합합니다.
⭐Flat Stanleyseries by Jeff Brown
A bulletin board falls on Stanley and flattens him, allowing him to be mailed to different places and slip under doors. Stanley uses his unique flat shape to have incredible adventures, from catching thieves to visiting famous landmarks. Not too long, but has lots of challenging vocabulary that lower level readers might find difficult to grasp. 게시판이 스탠리 위로 떨어져 그를 납작하게 만듭니다. 덕분에 그는 우편으로 보내지거나 문 아래로 미끄러져 들어가며 놀라운 모험을 하게 됩니다. 스탠리는 납작한 몸의 독특한 이점을 활용하여 도둑을 잡고 유명한 명소를 방문하는 등 특별한 경험을 합니다. 책의 길이가 그리 길지는 않지만, 낮은 독서 수준의 아이들이 이해하기 어려워할 수 있는 도전적인 어휘가 많이 포함되어 있습니다.
⭐Hiloseries by Judd Winick
A boy named Hilo falls from the sky and crash-lands on Earth, revealing that he is actually a robot from another world. Hilo must team up with his new human friends to defeat a dangerous threat and save the universe. These are comic books, but tend to be on the more difficult side conceptually. 하늘에서 떨어진 ‘힐로’는 자신이 다른 세계에서 온 로봇이라는 사실을 밝힙니다. 힐로는 새로운 인간 친구들과 힘을 합쳐 위험한 존재를 물리치고 우주를 구해야 합니다. 이 책들은 만화책이지만 개념적으로는 다소 어려운 편입니다.
⭐Notebook of Doomseries by Troy Cummings
Alexander is a new kid in town who discovers a notebook filled with drawings of goofy-looking monsters. Soon, he realizes the monsters are real, and he must learn to be a monster-hunter with the help of his friends. Great chapter books for mid-level readers. 새로운 동네로 이사 온 알렉산더는 우스꽝스럽게 생긴 괴물 그림으로 가득한 노트를 발견합니다. 곧 그 괴물들이 실제로 존재한다는 것을 깨닫고, 친구들의 도움을 받아 괴물 사냥꾼이 되는 법을 배워야 합니다. 중급 독자들에게 좋은 챕터북입니다.
⭐The Kingdom of Wrenlyseries by Jordan Quinn This series follows the adventures of Prince Lucas and his best friend, Clara, as they encounter fantastical creatures and solve mysteries in their kingdom. The stories are filled with magic, friendship, and lighthearted action. Great chapter books for mid-level readers. 루카스 왕자와 그의 가장 친한 친구 클라라가 환상적인 생물들을 만나고 왕국에서 일어나는 미스터리를 해결하는 모험 이야기입니다. 마법, 우정, 그리고 유쾌한 액션으로 가득 차 있습니다. 중급 독자들에게 좋은 챕터북입니다.
⭐Unicorn Diariesseries by Rebecca Elliott This series is written in the form of a diary from the perspective of a unicorn named Princess Petunia. The books are full of glittery, magical adventures, focusing on friendship and school life in a magical world. The same author as the Owl Diaries, which is a beloved mid-level series for kids. 이 시리즈는 ‘페튜니아 공주’라는 유니콘의 일기 형식으로 쓰였습니다. 반짝이는 마법 같은 모험으로 가득하며, 마법 세계에서의 우정과 학교 생활을 중심으로 이야기가 전개됩니다. 어린이들에게 사랑받는 중급 시리즈인 ‘올빼미 일기’의 작가가 쓴 책입니다.
⭐Heidi Heckelbeckseries by Wanda Coven Heidi is an eight-year-old girl who discovers that she is a witch. She tries to use her magical powers to navigate the challenges of third grade, often with unintended but hilarious consequences. A less complicated series good for mid-level readers, or low-level readers who need a bit of a challenge. 하이디는 자신이 마녀라는 것을 알게 된 여덟 살 소녀입니다. 그녀는 자신의 마법 능력을 이용해 3학년 생활의 어려움을 헤쳐나가려고 하지만, 종종 예상치 못한 재미있는 결과를 초래합니다. 이 책은 중급 독자나 약간의 도전을 원하는 낮은 독서 수준의 아이들에게 적합한, 복잡하지 않은 시리즈입니다.
⭐Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kidseries by Megan McDonald Judy Moody’s younger brother, Stink, is convinced that he’s shrinking. He faces everyday challenges and learns to overcome them with the help of his friends and his sister. Great chapter books for low levels to get used to chapter books, or for the mid-level reader who needs a bit of an easier read. 주디 무디의 남동생인 스팅크는 자신이 점점 작아지고 있다고 확신합니다. 그는 친구들과 누나의 도움을 받아 일상적인 어려움을 헤쳐나가고 극복하는 법을 배웁니다. 챕터북에 익숙해지려는 초급 독자나 좀 더 쉬운 책을 찾는 중급 독자에게 좋은 챕터북입니다.
⭐Horrible Harryseries by Suzy Kline Told from the perspective of Harry’s friend Doug, this series follows the adventures of a mischievous boy named Harry at school. The books feature simple sentences and lots of dialogue, making them easy to read and highly engaging. Good for most mid-level readers.
해리의 친구 더그의 시선에서 전개되는 이 시리즈는 학교에서 장난꾸러기 소년 해리의 모험을 다루고 있습니다. 책은 간단한 문장과 대화가 많이 포함되어 있어 읽기 쉽고 흥미를 끌기에 좋습니다. 대부분의 중간 수준 독자들에게 알맞습니다.
⭐The Mouse and the Motorcycleby Beverly Cleary This is an imaginative adventure about a mouse named Ralph who can ride a toy motorcycle. He befriends a young boy and sets off on thrilling escapades. The book is slightly longer and might prove challenging to a mid-level reader, as it is full of unfamiliar vocabulary.
이 책은 장난감 오토바이를 탈 수 있는 쥐 랄프의 상상력 넘치는 모험 이야기입니다. 랄프는 한 소년과 친구가 되어 짜릿한 모험을 떠납니다. 책의 분량이 조금 더 길고 낯선 어휘가 많이 포함되어 있어, 중간 수준의 독자에게는 다소 도전적으로 느껴질 수 있습니다.
⭐The Chocolate Touchby Patrick Skene Catling John Midas has a magical gift: anything his lips touch turns to chocolate! This funny retelling of the Midas touch myth teaches a lesson about greed in a lighthearted way. Definitely on the difficult side, I’d give this to a mid-high level reader who knows lots of vocabulary.
존 마이더스는 특별한 마법의 선물을 가지고 있습니다. 그의 입술이 닿는 모든 것이 초콜릿으로 변하는 것이지요! 이 재미있는 이야기는 ‘마이더스의 손’ 신화를 유쾌하게 각색한 것으로, 욕심에 대한 교훈을 담고 있습니다. 난이도가 꽤 높은 편이므로, 풍부한 어휘를 아는 중상 수준의 독자에게 적합합니다.
⭐Charlotte’s Webby E.B. White A timeless classic that tells the story of the beautiful friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. With its deeper themes and richer vocabulary, this book is a good challenge for readers ready for a more complex and touching story. I’d reserve this story for older or high level readers.
돼지 윌버와 거미 샬롯의 아름다운 우정을 담은 시대를 초월한 고전입니다. 이 책은 깊이 있는 주제와 풍부한 어휘를 담고 있어, 좀 더 복잡하고 감동적인 이야기를 읽을 준비가 된 독자에게 좋은 도전이 될 수 있습니다. 저는 이 이야기를 나이가 좀 있거나 독서 수준이 높은 독자들에게 추천하고 싶습니다.
⭐Geronimo Stiltonseries by Geronimo Stilton This series follows the adventures of a mouse journalist. The books are visually engaging, with various fonts and colorful illustrations. The vocabulary is more advanced and the sentences are a bit more complex, making them a good challenge. A personal childhood favorite of mine, I’d recommend this to high level readers who appreciate books with just a touch of color.
이 시리즈는 쥐 기자(journalist)의 모험을 다루고 있습니다. 다양한 글꼴과 다채로운 삽화 덕분에 시각적으로 매우 흥미로운 책입니다. 어휘가 고급스럽고 문장이 다소 복잡하기 때문에 독서 능력을 향상시키는 데 좋은 도전이 될 수 있습니다. 개인적으로 어릴 적에 가장 좋아했던 책 중 하나이며, 저는 색감이 약간 들어간 책을 좋아하는 독서 수준이 높은 분들에게 이 책을 추천합니다.
⭐Dog Manseries by Dav Pilkey From the author of Captain Underpants, this graphic novel series tells the story of Dog Man, a crime-fighting hero who is part dog and part man. Full of humor and action, this series is perfect for kids who love comic books. Not too difficult, I’d give this to a low level student.
‘캡틴 언더팬츠’의 작가가 쓴 이 그래픽 노블 시리즈는 개와 인간이 반반 섞인 범죄 퇴치 영웅 도그맨의 이야기를 담고 있습니다. 유머와 액션으로 가득한 이 시리즈는 만화책을 좋아하는 아이들에게 완벽합니다. 난이도가 높지 않아서, 저는 이 책을 독서 수준이 낮은 학생에게 권하고 싶습니다.
⭐Fudgeseries by Judy Blume This classic series is about a boy named Peter Hatcher who has to deal with his mischievous younger brother, Fudge. It’s a realistic and funny look at sibling relationships and everyday family life that kids can easily relate to. An absolute ride for kids who like the original Judy Bloom series. Good chapter books for low-mid level readers.
이 고전 시리즈는 장난기 많은 남동생 퍼지(Fudge) 때문에 골치를 앓는 피터 해처(Peter Hatcher)라는 소년에 대한 이야기입니다. 이 책은 현실적이고 재미있게 형제자매 관계와 평범한 가족의 일상을 그려내어 아이들이 쉽게 공감할 수 있습니다. 주디 블룸(Judy Blume)의 원작 시리즈를 좋아하는 아이들이라면 분명히 재미있게 읽을 수 있을 겁니다. 독서 수준이 낮은 학생부터 중간인 학생까지 읽기 좋은 챕터북입니다.
NONFICTION SERIES:
SCIENCE:
⭐National Geographic Kids: This is one of the most popular sources of kids’ nonfiction. I used to love flipping through these as a kid! They have multiple series (e.g., National Geographic Kids Readers, Weird but True!, Little Kids First Big Book of…) covering everything from animals, space, and history to science and cultures around the world. Known for amazing photographs and engaging facts. Getting all the details might be a challenge, but kids will probably have some extra fun facts in their back pockets with these. These are just a few of the many options:
⭐”Who Was…?” / “What Was…?” / “Where Is…?”: This series introduces kids to historical figures, events, and famous landmarks. This reading might be a bit on the harder side, and the drawings are realistic. However, if you want your child to start adjusting to such formats, this might be a good place to start.
⭐Magic School Bus by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen: While the story and characters go on fictional adventures, these books are packed with factual information about science topics like the human body, space, and the ocean, making learning real information fun. They’re often seen as a bridge between fiction and pure nonfiction. Chapter books with a great balance of exciting pictures and useful information.
이 책들은 등장인물들이 가상의 모험을 떠나지만, 그 속에 인체, 우주, 해양 등 다양한 과학 주제에 대한 실제 정보가 가득 담겨 있어서 학습을 즐겁게 만들어 줍니다. 종종 픽션과 순수 논픽션 사이의 다리 역할을 하는 것으로 여겨지죠. 흥미진진한 그림과 유용한 정보가 훌륭하게 균형을 이룬 챕터북입니다. https://link.coupang.com/a/cCU1y3
⭐ “What If You Had Animal…?” by Sandra Markle: This series explores what would happen if humans had various animal body parts (e.g., What If You Had Animal Teeth?, What If You Had An Animal Nose?). It’s a fun way to learn about animals. These are at an intermediate level difficulty.
⭐ “Who Would Win?” by Jerry Pallotta: This series pits two animals against each other (e.g., Killer Whale vs. Great White Shark) and uses facts to determine which would win in a hypothetical battle. It’s very popular with “scary” animal-loving kids. Not a difficult read for most kids.
⭐ Usborne Nonfiction Books: Usborne publishes a vast array of excellent nonfiction books and series for kids, often with lift-the-flaps, cutaways, and engaging illustrations. They cover science, history, geography, and more. I recommend looking for their “See Inside,” “Lift-the-Flap,” and “Usborne Young Scientist” series. The sensory satisfaction of it will satisfy a lot of kids.
⭐ DK Eyewonder Books: These books are packed with photographs and detailed information on a wide range of subjects, from ancient civilizations and animals to technology and space. They’re visually rich and great for browsing, or for learning new, digestible nonfiction facts.
이 책들은 다양한 주제에 대한 사진과 상세한 정보로 가득 차 있어요. 고대 문명과 동물부터 기술, 우주에 이르기까지 폭넓은 내용을 다루죠. 시각적으로 풍부해서 그냥 훑어보거나, 새롭고 이해하기 쉬운 논픽션 사실들을 배우기에 아주 좋습니다. https://link.coupang.com/a/cCVe1i
⭐ The Big Book of… :
These often beautifully illustrated large-format books delve into specific nature topics. These have pretty illustrations, but the vocabulary used is challenging.
This fun and factual picture book explains the science of the ocean, its plants and animals, and its contributions to the world. It also highlights what we can do daily to protect a healthy ocean. Easy to read, great for low levels, or mid level readers who aren’t comfortable reading science books yet.
재미와 사실에 기반한 이 그림책은 바다의 과학, 바다의 동식물, 그리고 바다가 세상에 기여하는 바를 설명합니다. 또한 건강한 바다를 지키기 위해 우리가 일상생활에서 무엇을 할 수 있는지도 알려줍니다. 쉽게 읽을 수 있어 초급 수준의 독자나, 아직 과학책 읽기를 어려워하는 중급 수준의 독자에게 아주 좋습니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000024192018
⭐The Story of Science: How Science and Technology Changed the World by Robert Winston
This book explores the profound impact of scientific and technological inventions on humanity. From theories about the universe’s origins to the discovery of genes, it explains how science and technology have shaped our worldview and advanced civilization.This book is a little on the hard side, so I’d recommend this to mid level readers who read a lot of science books, or high level readers.
이 책은 과학 기술의 발명이 인류에게 미친 심대한 영향을 탐구합니다. 우주의 기원에 대한 이론부터 유전자의 발견에 이르기까지, 과학 기술이 어떻게 우리의 세계관을 형성하고 문명을 발전시켰는지 설명합니다. 이 책은 내용이 다소 어려운 편이므로, 과학 분야의 책을 많이 읽는 중급 수준의 독자나 고급 수준의 독자에게 추천합니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000212779663
⭐Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears? by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
This book delves into the curious questions that kids might have about animals, such as why elephants have large ears, and explaining the functions of the animal features. Good for mid-to-high level readers.
⭐Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work by Bambi Edlund
This delightful adventure story features two clever mice who use simple machines to retrieve a delicious cupcake. The book introduces children to the basic concepts of six simple machines, including inclined planes, levers, and pulleys. Great for young, newly independent readers.
이 유쾌한 모험 이야기에는 간단한 기계(simple machine)를 이용해 맛있는 컵케이크를 손에 넣으려는 영리한 생쥐 두 마리가 등장합니다. 이 책은 아이들에게 경사면, 지렛대, 도르래를 포함한 여섯 가지 단순 기계의 기본 개념을 소개해 줍니다. 이제 막 혼자서 책을 읽기 시작한 어린 독자들에게 아주 좋습니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000201750725
⭐Bobcat Prowling by Maria Gianferrari
This book tracks the journey of a young bobcat as it roams through suburban landscapes to find its own territory. It depicts the beauty and dangers of the wild, offering readers a thrilling and poignant glimpse into the life of a bobcat. Good as a challenge to low level readers, as it provides lots of new vocabulary that they normally wouldn’t come across.
이 책은 자신만의 영역을 찾기 위해 도시 근교를 헤매는 어린 삵(bobcat)의 여정을 따라갑니다. 책은 야생의 아름다움과 위험을 함께 묘사하며, 독자들에게 삵의 삶을 스릴 넘치면서도 가슴 뭉클하게 엿볼 기회를 선사합니다. 평소에 접하기 힘든 새로운 어휘가 많아, 초급 수준의 독자에게는 도전해 볼 만한 좋은 과제가 될 것입니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000201217252
⭐Star of the Party: The Solar System Celebrates! by Jan Carr
This humorous and factual picture book tells the story of the planets celebrating the solar system. As each planet prepares for the sun’s “birthday” party-Mercury appreciating its closeness to the sun, Earth enjoying the sun’s warmth-the book delivers facts about the cosmos and its inhabitants. A great, entertaining read for low to mid level readers.
재미와 사실을 모두 담은 이 유머러스한 그림책은 태양계의 행성들이 다 함께 축하 파티를 여는 이야기를 들려줍니다. 각 행성이 태양의 ‘생일’ 파티를 준비하는 과정—가령 수성은 태양과 가까운 것을 고마워하고, 지구는 태양의 따스함을 즐기는 식—을 통해, 이 책은 우주와 그 구성원들에 대한 사실들을 전달합니다. 초급에서 중급 수준의 독자들에게 훌륭하고 재미있는 읽을거리가 될 것입니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000215609208
⭐100 Things To Know About Science
This book makes science accessible to children and adults alike by breaking it down into 100 fascinating topics. It’s packed with facts and colorful infographics on a wide range of subjects, from Earth’s magnetic field to spider venom and black holes. The vocabulary is quite difficult, so I’d recommend this to high level readers.
이 책은 과학을 100가지의 흥미로운 주제로 나누어 설명함으로써 어린이와 어른 모두가 과학에 쉽게 다가갈 수 있도록 돕습니다. 지구의 자기장부터 거미 독, 블랙홀에 이르기까지 광범위한 주제에 대한 사실들과 다채로운 인포그래픽으로 가득 차 있습니다. 어휘가 상당히 어려운 편이므로, 고급 수준의 독자에게 추천합니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000003203873
⭐Narwhal: Unicorn Of The Arctic
This book delves into the life of the narwhal, the mysterious unicorn of the sea. It tells the story of a narwhal pod as they migrate from their winter grounds to their Arctic home, highlighting the dangers they face and how their unique tusk and clicking sounds keep them safe. Good for mid level readers who are interested in sea creatures.
이 책은 신비로운 ‘바다의 유니콘’, 일각고래(narwhal)의 삶을 깊이 탐구합니다. 일각고래 무리가 겨울 서식지를 떠나 북극의 보금자리로 이주하는 여정을 따라가며, 그들이 마주하는 위험과 독특한 엄니, 그리고 딸깍거리는 소리가 어떻게 그들을 안전하게 지켜주는지 보여줍니다. 해양 생물에 관심이 있는 중급 수준의 독자에게 좋습니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000211936213
⭐The Lonely Goose
This book tells a touching story of love, loss, and rediscovered joy for a Canadian goose. It follows a female goose who loses her mate and navigates through grief to find new companionship, offering a delicate and honest portrayal of loss and recovery. Good for teaching kids about grief, and has some mature elements that could help kids think more deeply.
이 책은 캐나다기러기의 사랑과 상실, 그리고 다시 찾은 기쁨에 대한 감동적인 이야기를 들려줍니다. 책은 짝을 잃은 암컷 기러기가 슬픔을 이겨내고 새로운 동반자를 찾아 나서는 과정을 따라가며, 상실과 회복의 모습을 섬세하고 진솔하게 그려냅니다. 아이들에게 슬픔이라는 감정에 대해 가르쳐 주기에 좋으며, 아이들이 더 깊이 생각하도록 도울 수 있는 성숙한 요소도 일부 포함하고 있습니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000213590919
⭐The Magic School Busseries by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen Ms. Frizzle and her class travel on a magical school bus that can transform into anything from a submarine to a spaceship. Each book is an educational adventure that teaches kids about science in a fun and engaging way.
⭐Little Kids First Big Book of…series by National Geographic Kids This series offers a wide range of topics, from animals to space, with simple, clear text and stunning photographs. The books are an excellent resource for young readers to learn about the world around them. Good for young mid level readers who have curious minds and lots olf questions about the world.
⭐The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Libraryby various authors (based on Dr. Seuss’s characters) This series takes the playful style of Dr. Seuss and applies it to real-world science topics. The Cat in the Hat and his friends explore everything from dinosaurs to the human body in rhyming verse. The Cat in the Hat books are always simple, but kids tend to find the rhymes and language difficult to comprehend. I’d recommend this to mid-high level readers.
⭐Fly Guy Presentsseries by Tedd Arnold In this series, Fly Guy and his human friend Buzz explore various non-fiction topics. The books present fun facts about subjects like dinosaurs, planets, and bugs in a simple and engaging way. Great for young, low-level readers who are not used to non-fiction yet.
⭐I’m Trying to Love Mathby Bethany Barton A young girl who hates math is visited by the math-eating monster, who devours all the numbers around her. She learns to appreciate the world of math as she sees how it’s used everywhere from baking to sports. Not full of words, but might be a bit difficult to understand for low-level readers.
BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY:
⭐ “I Am…” series by Brad Meltzer (e.g., I Am Abraham Lincoln, I Am Rosa Parks).
Very digestible introduction to biographies, I would recommend these to any level.
A beautiful biography of Wilson Bentley, the first person to photograph individual snowflakes, highlighting his perseverance and passion for nature. Great for all levels. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000010097156
⭐ The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Reader’s Edition) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer: An inspiring true story of a boy who built a windmill to bring electricity to his village. The tone is serious, and the vocabulary could be challenging.
⭐How Do You Spell Unfair? by Carole Boston Weatherford
This book tells the true story of Macnolia Cox, an African American student who achieved remarkable success in the 1936 national spelling bee despite facing racial discrimination. Her story challenges racial prejudice, demonstrating that Black children are just as intelligent and capable as white children. This book has lots of diffcult vocabulary that can be beneficial for both low and mid level readers.
이 책은 인종 차별에도 불구하고 1936년 전미 철자 맞히기 대회(National Spelling Bee)에서 눈부신 성공을 거둔 아프리카계 미국인 학생 맥놀리아 콕스(Macnolia Cox)의 실화를 담고 있습니다. 그녀의 이야기는 흑인 아이들도 백인 아이들만큼 지적이고 유능하다는 것을 보여주며 인종적 편견에 정면으로 맞섭니다. 이 책에는 어려운 어휘가 다수 포함되어 있어, 초급 및 중급 수준의 독자 모두에게 유익할 것입니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000061461357
⭐Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher by Ruby Bridges
This book recounts the touching reunion between civil rights activist Ruby Bridges and her first teacher, Mrs. Henry, who changed her life. The bond between Ruby, the first Black student to attend William Frantz Elementary, and Mrs. Henry demonstrates the lasting impact teachers have on their students. Great for both low and mid level readers.
이 책은 민권 운동가 루비 브리지스(Ruby Bridges)와 그녀의 인생을 바꾼 첫 스승 헨리 선생님(Mrs. Henry)의 감동적인 재회 이야기를 담고 있습니다. 윌리엄 프란츠 초등학교(William Frantz Elementary)에 입학한 최초의 흑인 학생이었던 루비와 헨리 선생님의 유대감은 교사가 학생에게 얼마나 깊고 지속적인 영향을 미치는지 잘 보여줍니다. 초급 및 중급 수준의 독자 모두에게 훌륭한 책입니다.
The second book in this nonfiction series focuses on Jane Goodall’s lifelong mission to understand chimpanzees and protect the planet. It vividly portrays the life of a scientific pioneer with engaging backmatter that tells young readers how they can be like Jane Goodall. Easy for mid levels, a good challenge for low levels.
이 논픽션 시리즈의 두 번째 책은 침팬지를 이해하고 지구를 보호하려는 제인 구달(Jane Goodall)의 평생에 걸친 사명에 초점을 맞춥니다. 이 책은 과학계 선구자의 삶을 생생하게 묘사하며, 어린 독자들이 제인 구달처럼 될 수 있는 방법을 알려주는 흥미로운 부록 정보도 담고 있습니다. 중급 수준의 독자에게는 쉽고, 초급 수준의 독자에게는 좋은 도전이 될 것입니다.
⭐ Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller by Breanna J. McDaniel
This picture book biography chronicles the life of Augusta Braxton Baker, a beloved librarian and storyteller who became the first Black Coordinator of Children’s Services at the New York Public Library. Realizing there were few books in libraries that honored and uplifted Black people, she championed books, authors, and librarians who centered Black stories. Great for low level readers, or kids who are getting used to biography formats.
이 그림책 위인전은 많은 사랑을 받은 사서이자 이야기꾼이었으며 뉴욕 공립 도서관(New York Public Library) 최초의 흑인 아동 서비스 코디네이터(Coordinator of Children’s Services)가 된 어거스타 브랙스턴 베이커(Augusta Braxton Baker)의 삶을 연대순으로 기록합니다. 그녀는 도서관에 흑인을 존중하고 그들의 위상을 높여주는 책이 거의 없다는 사실을 깨닫고, 흑인의 이야기에 중점을 둔 책, 작가, 사서들을 적극적으로 지지했습니다. 초급 수준 독자나 위인전 형식에 익숙해지고 있는 어린이들에게 아주 좋은 책입니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000211345159
⭐Muhammad Ali: A Champion is Born by Gene Barretta
This picture book biography tells the unforgettable childhood story of the legendary boxing champion Muhammad Ali. It highlights the pivotal moment when 12-year-old Cassius Clay had his bike stolen, setting him on the path to becoming “The Greatest.” I’d recommend this to kids who are looking for an inspiring story, or like competitive sports. Good for low-to-mid level readers.
이 그림책 위인전은 전설적인 복싱 챔피언 무하마드 알리(Muhammad Ali)의 잊을 수 없는 어린 시절 이야기를 담고 있습니다. 이 책은 12살의 캐시어스 클레이(Cassius Clay)가 자전거를 도둑맞은 사건이 어떻게 그를 ‘가장 위대한 선수(The Greatest)’의 길로 이끌었는지, 그 결정적인 순간을 조명합니다. 영감을 주는 이야기를 찾거나 스포츠 경쟁을 좋아하는 어린이들에게 이 책을 추천합니다. 초급에서 중급 수준의 독자에게 적합합니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000005944238
⭐ Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst
This book presents the stories of fantastically great women who changed history, celebrating remarkable women who blazed trails not just as leaders but as revolutionaries. From pirate queens to super spies and female pharaohs, the book is full of familiar and less familiar names from 3,500 years of history. Good for mid-high-level readers, as some of the concepts can get a bit complicated.
이 책은 역사를 바꾼 위대한 여성들의 이야기를 소개하며, 단순히 지도자를 넘어 혁명가로서 새로운 길을 개척한 뛰어난 여성들을 조명합니다. 해적 여왕부터 슈퍼 스파이, 여성 파라오에 이르기까지, 이 책은 3,500년의 역사 속에서 우리에게 친숙한 인물뿐만 아니라 잘 알려지지 않았던 인물들의 이야기까지 아우릅니다. 일부 개념이 다소 복잡할 수 있으므로 중급 및 고급 수준의 독자에게 적합합니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000027186125
⭐The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock:
A vibrant biography of Wassily Kandinsky, focusing on his synesthesia and how it influenced his art. It’s a creative and inspiring story, and good for all levels.
⭐ “Little People, BIG DREAMS” series (by various authors):
This popular series features simplified biographies of famous people from artists and scientists to activists and athletes, with engaging illustrations and a focus on their childhood dreams and achievements.
이 인기 시리즈는 예술가와 과학자부터 활동가, 운동선수에 이르기까지 유명 인물들의 어린 시절 꿈과 업적에 초점을 맞춘 간략한 위인전으로, 매력적인 삽화가 특징입니다. 초급 수준 독자에게는 약간의 도전 과제가 될 수 있으며, 위인전 장르가 익숙하지 않은 중급 수준 독자에게는 안성맞춤입니다. https://product.kyobobook.co.kr/detail/S000035886936
⭐ Ivan: the Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate This book tells the story of a gorilla named Ivan who was captured in Africa as a baby and spent 27 years in captivity at a shopping mall. The book teaches about animal welfare and public voice. Works for lower levels, but has some harder vocabulary and the themes might resonate with kids who enjoy emotional stories.
이 책은 아기 때 아프리카에서 포획되어 쇼핑몰에서 27년간 갇혀 지낸 ‘아이반(Ivan)’이라는 고릴라의 이야기를 담고 있습니다. 책을 통해 동물 복지와 대중의 목소리의 중요성에 대해 배울 수 있습니다. 초급 수준의 독자에게도 적합하지만, 일부 어려운 어휘가 있으며 감동적인 이야기를 좋아하는 어린이들에게는 그 주제가 큰 울림을 줄 것입니다.
⭐ A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens This is a nonfiction picture book that takes young readers on an exciting journey around the globe. Through the eyes of a boy, the book visits friends in 13 different countries across six continents. It’s a great way to teach kids about cultural diversity. Good for medium-higher reading levels.
이 논픽션 그림책은 어린 독자들을 전 세계로 떠나는 흥미진진한 여행으로 안내합니다. 독자들은 한 소년의 시선을 따라 6개 대륙, 13개국에 사는 친구들을 만나며 문화적 다양성을 배울 수 있습니다. 중급에서 고급 수준의 독자에게 적합합니다.
⭐ Daughter of the Light-Footed People by Belen Medina This is a nonfiction picture book that tells the inspiring true story of Lorena Ramírez, an ultramarathon runner from Mexico. The book highlights Lorena’s unique approach to running: she competes in her traditional skirts and sandals (made from rubber tires), without modern, high-tech gear. This is a great introduction to what might be an unfamiliar culture. Easy to read, even for lower levels.
이 논픽션 그림책은 멕시코 출신 울트라마라톤 선수인 로레나 라미레스(Lorena Ramírez)의 영감을 주는 실화를 담고 있습니다. 이 책은 현대적인 첨단 장비 없이 전통 치마와 (폐타이어로 만든) 샌들만 신고 경기에 출전하는 그녀의 독특한 달리기 방식을 조명합니다. 이 책은 다소 생소할 수 있는 문화를 소개하는 훌륭한 입문서이며, 초급 수준의 독자도 쉽게 읽을 수 있습니다.
⭐Just Like Rube Goldbergby Sarah Aronson This is a picture-book biography of the brilliant inventor Rube Goldberg. The book explains how his famous contraptions came to be and encourages kids to think creatively about problem-solving. Not difficult to comprehend, and good for kids who like machines.
⭐The Crayon Manby Natascha Biebow This is the true story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of the classic Crayola crayons. The book details his journey to create a non-toxic crayon that was affordable for all children to use. The words are a bit difficult, and the concepts better for mid-level readers.
For kids who like funny songs, they might find this video entertaining/easy to remember the irregular verbs.
This should be a review of what students already know: past tense verbs. You might be thinking, “Teacher, we already learned this in kindergarten! We even did this in class!!”
The fact is, students speak and write everyday without using the past tense correctly. ESPECIALLY the irregular ones. Yes, even you!!!
You can still get your idea across, even if you do it wrong, but it’s the same thing as saying something like this in Korean:
“어제 학교 가요.”
That doesn’t make sense, right? It’s the same for Past Tense Verbs in English.
First, make sure you know what a VERB is.
A verb is an action, or any word that you can stand up and do.
What is this verb?
Of course, it’s dance! Easy.
Sometimes verbs can be more complicated, like state of being verbs, but we aren’t thinking about those right now.
Next, what is the past tense?
The past tense means something is finished. You did it before, but now you are not doing it.
“Today is Thursday. I went to the store on Monday.”
Does this mean you are still at the store? Of course not, it means you went home already. Unless you’ve been sleeping at the store?!
Get out of here!!!
Anyways, now you know the past tense.
The rules for making words past tense are pretty complicated looking, but they really aren’t that bad.
Rule 1: Add -ed to the verb.
Walk → Walked
Play → Played
Listen → Listened
Rule 2: If the verb already ends in –e, just add -d.
Live → Lived
Love → Loved
Close → Closed
Rule 3: If the verb ends in a consonant + y, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add -ed.
Study → Studied
Cry → Cried
Try → Tried
Exception: If the verb ends in a vowel + y (like: play, enjoy), just add -ed (played, enjoyed).
Rule 4: If the verb ends with one vowel + one consonant, or it’s a short, single-syllable word, double the final consonant before adding -ed.
Stop → Stopped
Plan → Planned
Refer → Referred
Note: This rule can be a bit tricky, but common examples are usually short verbs.
That’s a lot of words, so let’s do some practice.
Here’s an online site for practicing simple irregular past tense verbs, if you’re a kid who wants to practice typing or are lazy 😉 (just type the correct word and press “Check”):
Unfortunately, irregular verbs are almost entirely memorized, or learned over time. However, for 1st graders, memorization and repetition come more naturally than older students. So, I recommend lots of review (like, lots!) until it becomes natural.
Next is a PDF file with many irregular verbs. This is the main thing to focus on in this lesson. (not made by me- source: irregularverbs.org)
Note to parents: I recommend quizzing the student by saying the first word (“beat”) and have them say the last 2 words (“beat, beaten”) as the answer. You can also ask them to spell the word if it seems like they’re unsure. Put a star on the ones that they get wrong, and have them make flashcards to practice.
After you’ve studied the list, try this worksheet, and only look at the answers if you have to.
Note to parents: This is a difficult worksheet, and will take some time, maybe even several different sessions. I recommend having your child mark the ones they couldn’t remember or get wrong, and have them do the sheet one more time at a later time, when the words aren’t fresh in their mind. Another way to do this instead of having the student write the answers, is by reading the sentence aloud to them and have them fill in the blank verbally. This can help sharpen their listening skills as well.
Overall, this is a very simple grammar concept, but in practice it is hard to perfect. Even some native speakers still struggle with them, so don’t feel too bad if you can’t get it down perfectly! Good luck!
Responsible — having a job or duty to take care of something
Chaotic — very messy or disorganized
Proper — correct or right
Frustrated — feeling annoyed because something isn’t going well
Suggest — to give an idea or advice
Flourish — to grow well and strong
Specific — clear and exact
Organized — neat and arranged in a good way
Determined — not giving up; working hard to finish something
Potential — the ability to grow or become something great
Patient — being calm and not getting upset while waiting
Incredible — amazing or hard to believe
Team — a group of people working together
Blossoms — small flowers on a plant
The Class Garden
It was a bright summer morning, and the 2nd grade class of Justice Street Elementary School were buzzing with excitement. Their teacher, Ms. Anderson, has instructed them each to bring one packet of seeds each. Some students had brought tomato seeds, and others petunia seeds. Madison had brought cucumber seeds.
She looked over at her friend Ella’s seeds. They both had brought in cucumber seeds! They giggled together at the coincidence.
Ms. Anderson walked from table to table, making sure that nobody had brought any “too crazy” plants, like a mango tree or grape vine. When she was done, she walked back up to the front of the class and took out a big box of small shovels and an extra-large watering can. She let each student take a shovel out of the box. Then, she told the class to line up at the door that led to the school garden.
Madison and Ella gasped at the big yard in front of them. There were rows of dirt on the ground that looked perfect for planting. Who could have known that this was behind their school the entire time!
“This garden belongs to all of you,” Ms. Anderson said. “But remember, it will take more than two hands to make it grow.”
The class had been learning about plants for weeks. They studied how seeds needed sunlight, water, and care to grow strong. The students felt responsible for the little garden plot beside their classroom. They could finally imagine their little seeds turning into juicy tomatoes, crunchy carrots, and colorful flowers sprouting from the dirt.
Ms. Anderson divided the class into groups. Madison and Ella were put in the same group. Lucky!
But then, Ms. Anderson told Harry to join their group. Madison crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at Harry. Harry copied her.
“Hey!” she shouted, stomping her foot, “Don’t copy me! Get your own face!”
“Whatever,” Harry said, “At least I didn’t bring lame cucumber seeds.”
Harry stuck his packet of watermelon seeds in her face.
“Watermelon!” Ellie said, “Ms. Anderson! That’s not fair! Watermelon is a ‘too crazy’ plant!”
Ms. Anderson walked over to the group. “We have a special watermelon spot in the corner!” Ms. Anderson smiled down at them, then walked away.
But as soon as they started to plant the seeds, things became chaotic. Two kids argued over who would dig the hole and who would put the seed in and who would cover the seed with dirt. Josh said he knew the proper way to plant the carrots, and nobody else should be allowed to do it. Olivia tried to help, but nobody let her, because last week she had tripped and fallen over and broken the class pet fish’s bowl.
Even Madison and Ella were starting to fight, because Ella wanted to put her cucumbers in the same hole as Madison’s, but there were so many other holes that she could use–and why was Harry putting his watermelon seeds in her cucumber hole!
Soon, everyone was fighting, dirt was flying in the air, and the garden looked like a mess.
Ms. Anderson clapped her hands. “Let’s pause for a moment,” she suggested kindly. “Cooperation means working together, not against each other. If we argue, our garden will never flourish.” She pointed to the garden. “Right now, it looks more like a jungle than a garden.”
The students giggled. They gathered around and shared ideas. Mia suggested making a list of jobs. Josh admitted he didn’t know everything and agreed to listen to others. They decided to take turns with the tools and assigned specific jobs to each group. They decided who would plant the seeds, who would water them, and who would cover the seeds with dirt. Suddenly, the garden work became smooth and organized.
As they worked, they sang songs and cheered each other on. Even when the sun grew hot, they stayed determined to finish. By the afternoon, all the seeds were in the soil and the watering was complete. They even got to write their names on a tag and stick it in the ground next to their seeds. The students stood back and admired their work. The garden looked neat and full of potential. Everyone smiled, proud of what they had achieved together.
Over the next few weeks, the students tried to care for the garden, but something wasn’t right. The leaves on the plants turned yellow, and the flowers drooped. Some of the students forgot their jobs, and others argued about whose fault it was. Ella cried because her cucumber plant was starting to turn yellow.
Ms. Anderson gathered them together. “This is not anyone’s fault,” she explained. “Plants need consistent care, and we need to work together to help them.” The class made a new plan, with a clear schedule and reminders. They promised to check the plants every day and help each other remember. Little by little, the plants began to look healthier.
One morning, the garden transformed into an amazing sight. The carrots pushed their leaves up, the flowers stretched toward the sun, and the tomatoes started growing little yellow blossoms. The garden was alive! The students were amazed at how quickly it had changed.
By the end of the month, the garden was bursting with plants. Butterflies and bees visited the flowers. “Our cooperation made this possible,” Miss Lopez said. “When we work together, we can do incredible things.”
The students cheered and gave each other high-fives. They had learned an important lesson: growing a garden—and friendships—takes patience, hard work, and most of all, cooperation.
Moselle T's Study Materials 