MrsDsEducationalTools
39 Followers
University City, Missouri, United States
All resources
Filters
Grade
Subject
Standard
Supports
Cookies & Milk Lit Log (Novel Study)
This is a lit log (novel study) for Cookies & Milk. It should be noted that this book contains an outdated, inappropriate racial slur in chapter 11. In chapter 12, the main character’s best friend tells him, “That word is like the N-word.” Then his dad tells him, “That word is an insult, Ellis. Said by bullies who want to scare you. People who think they are better than us…We are not bullies. And we will not be scared by bullies.” The book is partly based on the autho
5th - 8th
Balanced Literacy, English Language Arts
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.5.1
, RL.5.2
, RL.5.3
+79
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom Lit Log (novel study) For Google Docs
This is a lit log for Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom My Story of the Selma Voting Rights March. This is biography by Lynda Blackmon Lowery as told to Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley is written from the perspective of a 14-15-year- old girl. The key focus skills of the lit log are: * use text to explain, draw inferences, analyze * determine main idea(s) and details, summarize * determine, distinguish, explain, analyze point of view This lit log can be used/modified t
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Informational Text, U.S. History
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RI.5.1
, RI.5.2
, RI.5.3
+45
New From Here Lit Log (Novel Study) For Google Docs
This is a lit log by MrsDsEducationalTools for New From Here by Kelly Yang. The book is a realistic fiction based on the author’s own experience during the Coronavirus pandemic and written from the point of view of a middle grade boy. Themes include: the pandemic, prejudice, bullying, family, friends, multicultural, Asian American hatred, and ADHD. The key focus skills of the lit log are: - use text to explain, draw inferences, cite textual evidence - determine theme, central idea
4th - 7th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Reading
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+66
What Lane? Lit Log (Book Study) (For Google Docs)
This is a lit log for What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado. This is an awesome book to help guide open discussions about racism in America. This book’s perspective of a sixth-grade boy who has a Black dad and a white mom, its focus on current, critical themes, and its use of everyday language will motivate even the most reluctant reader and help guide open discussions about racism. The lit log can be used as a guide for a read aloud or for direct reading instruction (book study, literatur
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, School Counseling
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+66
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business Novel Study For Google Docs
This is a novel study (lit log) by MrsDsEducationalTools for Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee and illustrated by Dung Ho. This is a short chapter book with adorable illustrations. The key focus skills of the lit log are: - use context for word recognition/understanding - use text to ask/answer questions - describe characters/events - explain how illustrations help words - recount stories/central message This lit log can be used for direct reading instruc
1st - 4th
Balanced Literacy, Close Reading, Reading
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.1.1
, RL.1.2
, RL.1.3
+63
The Only Black Girls in Town Novel Study For Google Docs (for Distance Learning)
This is a novel study (lit log) by MrsDsEducationalTools for the realistic fiction, The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert. The themes of the book include racism, prejudice, family, friends, middle school, divorce, moving, small towns, and secrets from the past. The focus skills of the lit log are: * cite textual evidence * determine theme/central idea/summarize * describe/analyze characters/plot * use text to determine words/phrases * explain/analyze points of view
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, English Language Arts, School Counseling
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+58
From the Desk of Zoe Washington Lit Log (novel study) For Google Docs (for Dista
This is a lit log (novel study) by MrsDsEducationalTools for the middle grade realistic fiction From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks. This book is about Zoe, a 12-year-old girl who gets a letter from her birth father in prison for a terrible crime. With help from her friend Trevor and her grandmother, she communicates with her birth father and finds an alibi witness who proves him innocent. Real life themes of social justice, racism, prison, African American incarceration
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Close Reading, English Language Arts
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+59
Chirp Lit Log (novel study) For Google Docs (for Distance Learning)
This is a lit log by MrsDsEducationalTools for Chirp by Kate Messner, a realistic fiction about a young girl’s feelings after experiencing a gymnastic coach’s inappropriate behavior. The themes of the book include: sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior; finding your voice, bravery, following your passion, family, and friends The focus skills of the lit log are: * cite textual evidence * determine theme/central idea/summarize * describe/analyze characters/plot * explain/analyze p
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, School Counseling
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+46
Count Me In Lit Log (Novel Study) For Google Docs (for Distance Learning)
This is a lit log by MrsDsEducationalTools for Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj, a realistic fiction about a hate crime. The book’s use of alternating chapters from a middle school girl’s and middle school boy’s perspectives, involving social media, and social justice theme make it an awesome choice for instructional purposes and to motivate reluctant readers. The themes of the book include: hate crimes, prejudice, social activism, multi-generational family, friends, and school. The foc
4th - 7th
Character Education, English Language Arts, Reading
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+46
The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue Lit Log (novel study) For Google Docs (Distance
This is a lit log for The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser. (It is the third book in the Vanderbeeker series.) It is about a family who lives in a brownstone in Harlem who come to the rescue, so their mom has her dream of owning her own bakery. The themes of the book are: taking care of pets, family, working together to achieve a goal, doing your best; following your dream; community/caring neighbors, friends The main focus skills in the lit log are: * using
3rd - 6th
Balanced Literacy, Close Reading, Reading
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.3.1
, RL.3.2
, RL.3.3
+59
Leaving Lymon Lit Log (novel study) For Google Docs (for distance learning)
This is a lit log (novel study) for Leaving Lymon, a historical fiction by Lesa Cline-Ransome (author of Finding Langston). Like Langston, Lymon lived in the rural Jim Crow South with caring grandparents who passed on their faith and love of poetry and music. However, they had completely different experiences. Lymon’s daddy was spending time at Parchman State Penitentiary. After his grandpops passed, he and his grandmother moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to be near an aunt. When L
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, English Language Arts, Reading
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+49
For Black Girls Like Me Lit Log (novel study) For Google Docs
This is a lit log by MrsDsEducationalTools for For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington, a realistic fiction about a black girl adopted by a white family. The book is an awesome choice for instructional purposes and to motivate reluctant readers. The themes of the book are: identity, racism, tolerance, family, mental illness, bullying, adoption, school, friends The focus skills of the lit log are: * cite textual evidence * determine theme/central idea/summarize * describe
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, English Language Arts, Reading
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+52
Waylon! The Most Awesome of All Lit Log (novel study) For Google Docs
This is a lit log by MrsDsEducationalTools for Waylon! The Most Awesome of All by Sara Pennypacker with pictures by Marla Frazee. The themes of this book are: friends, family, science, dogs, and school. The key focus skills of the lit log are: - use text to explain/draw inferences - describe/compare/contrast characters, setting, events - make a connection between illustrations and text - use text to determine meaning of words/phrases Other skills in the lit log are: - determine the
2nd - 5th
Balanced Literacy, Close Reading, English Language Arts
CCSS
RL.2.1
, RL.2.2
, RL.2.3
+20
Right as Rain Lit Log novel study for Google Docs
This resource includes Right as Rain (by Lindsey Stoddard) Lit Log (Novel Study) for Google Docs, an answer guide, and a list of Common Core State Standards. Right as Rain is a great realistic fiction. Themes of the book include: dealing with grief (death of a family member), moving to a new community, friends, school, and being on a team or part of a group. Key focus skills in the lit log are: * using text to explain, draw inferences, cite textual evidence * determine theme, cent
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, English Language Arts, School Counseling
CCSS
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+17
A Good Kind of Trouble Lit Log novel study for Google Docs
This resource includes A Good Kind of Trouble (by Lisa Moore Ramée) Lit Log (Novel Study) for Google Docs, an answer guide, and a list of Common Core State Standards. A Good Kind of Trouble is an awesome realistic fiction with themes that are very relevant to middle grade students: understanding differences, racism (Black Lives Matter, police shootings, protests), friendship, school, being a part of a team, family, and standing up for your beliefs. Key focus skills in the lit l
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Character Education, English Language Arts
CCSS
RL.4.1
, RL.4.3
, RL.4.6
+9
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
About the store
Experience
over 40 years of teaching in elementary/special ed
Teaching style
I believe "teaching style" and lessons should be modified to meet the needs of students.
I began writing lit logs (novel studies) to assist my students in completing classroom reading lessons. Focus skills in the lit logs are based on reading level expectations and specifically skills many students have found difficult. However, not every student needs to complete vocabulary, word work, or comprehension lessons to help them read passages successfully. Also, lit log end of book activity choices vary in learning style focus.
Awards & shining teacher moments
The best shining teacher moments are...
* seeing a student proud of his/her accomplishments
* watching student progress from year to year
* being recognized years later by students
My own education history
I have a Masters + in the field of education.
Additional biographical information
Check out my multiplication rap.
Mrs. D's Multiplication Rap Remix
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands