Banks, James A.; Conteras, Gloria; Buyer, Barry K.; Craven, Jean; Parker, Walter C.; Ladson-Billings, Gloria; McFarland, Mary A..  Here I Am- Adventures In Time and Place : McMillan/ McGraw Hill; New York, NY, 1997.

Boehm, Dr. Richard G.; Hoone, Claudia; McGowan, Dr. Thomas M.; McKinney-Browning, Dr. Mabel C.; Miramontes, Dr. Ofelia B..  All About Me:  Harcourt Brace and Co.; New York, NY, 1997.

     The texts that we reviewed were lacking both a Glossary and Appendix.  However, they contained very descriptive, and in depth, Tables of Contents as well as  helpful Indexes.  The content of these books did an excellent job of arranging the sequence by topic, making it easy to follow.    We felt that the material covered in each chapter was both relevant and age appropriate for a Kindergarten student.  Recent issues were covered throughout the material.  For example, in Here I Am, chapter 4 contains a lesson concerning the environment, and in All About Me, chapter 6 involves the students in a recycling program.
     For every chapter, there was a clear representation of what the students would be learning through the unitís title and focus.  There was an introductory page to set up the individual lessons, and the goals the students should work towards.  We found both books to be helpful in providing numerous supplementary resources such as, literature, games, computer software, videos and audio cassettes.  All About Me also included bulletin board ideas and time management charts.  However, this is not to say we need to abide by these guides, but rather look to them for assistance.  Each of these books focused the students in different ways.  Here I Am uses an opener for each unit.  The children discuss central concepts and are introduced to key vocabulary they will see throughout the unit.  All About Me  uses questions at the beginning of each lesson to involve the students in the topic in relation to the world around them.  Both are effective framework patterns, depending on the structure you prefer for your class.
     We felt that Here I Am was very brief in summarizing the lesson at the end, however there are adequate assessment strategies throughout each lesson.  All About Me does an excellent job of closing each lesson through a process of questioning, summarizing, and critical thinking.  Either of these techniques would be sufficient methods of closure with regard to the style of teaching preferred.  We felt these books contained an abundance of exceptional visuals that both stimulated and involved the students in the lesson.  Most of the visuals are displayed through a Big Book, and are strategically integrated amidst the units.