Mock Caldecott
Fourth and fifth graders at Orchard School are involved in a Mock Caldecott unit that lasts between four and six weeks prior to the actual Caldecott announcement each year in January. In collaborative teams, students evaluate about 24 books that have been preselected through favorable reviews. After going through the criteria, students post their thoughts in blogs, Padlets, Flipgrid videos or even on Twitter and Instagram. Students are always excited to read replies from the authors/illustrators! At the end of the unit, classes vote on which book they think deserves the Caldecott Medal.
Mock Caldecott 2023
With SO many very deserving picture books published in this past year, determining which ones for students to evaluate was a challenge! After evaluating books, using the American Library Association criteria, fourth and fifth graders crafted Instagram posts for their favorite book's author and illustrator. Sometimes there were responses from these special people!
Mock Caldecott 2022
As in past years, fourth and fifth grade students evaluated pre-selected pictures books deemed worthy of receiving Orchard School's Mock Caldecott Award. Students used criteria from the American Library Association in their evaluations. Messages were sent by Instagram posts to authors and illustrators selected by the student teams. To view all of the images from each post, click on the links provided below.
Mock Caldecott 2021
With SO many very deserving picture books published in this past year, determining which ones for students to evaluate was a challenge! After evaluating books, using the American Library Association criteria, fourth and fifth graders crafted tweets to send to their favorite book's author and illustrator.
Below are just a few of the many tweets that received replies from authors and illustrators. We are very appreciative of the time that these talented individuals gave to our students.
Mock Caldecott 2019
At the end of a six-week unit evaluating Mock Caldecott possibilities according to American Library Association criteria, 4th & 5th graders cast their ballots. Students are always anxious to hear how their choices compare to actual Caldecott winners!
Students sent tweets to the authors/illustrators of their favorite Mock Caldecott books. Below are a few of the replies.
Mock Caldecott 2018
Here are some images from this year's Mock Caldecott unit.
Below are some responses from authors/illustrators to students' tweets about their books.
Mock Caldecott 2017
It's so nice when authors/illustrators respond to students. Here are a few responses regarding this year's favorite books.