A Day's Work - By: Eve Bunting - Realistic Fiction/ Multicultural

 

                Francisco’s grandfather has just moved to America from Mexico and is looking for work. Francisco helps his grandfather receive a gardening job for the day by lying to Ben about his grandfather’s gardening skills. After a long days work, Francisco and his grandfather learn that they have done the job wrong, they have pulled the plants and left the weeds. Francisco’s grandfather feels horrible about the mistake and promises to fix it. Francisco and his grandfather come back the next day and replant to roots they had pulled. Francisco learns the importance of being honest.

                I would use this book to teach my students a lesson on honesty (not a multicultural lesson.) I would have the students write about the mistake that Francisco made and how he and his grandfather corrected the mistake. They will write about the outcome of Francisco’s decision to be honest at the end of the book.  The students will wrap up by writing about the importance of honesty, the theme of this book.  

You Are the First Kid on Mars - By: Patrick O'Brien - Science Fiction

               Would you like to go to Mars? We know that Mars is over 35 million miles away from us on Earth and it is a cold, dusty, and windy place. Many people still dream of the day that a person goes to Mars and in this book, you are that person. You get a detailed, up-close trip to Mars, the big red planet.  To get to this planet, you do not travel in the common rocket but through a space elevator, orbital stations and landing modules. This four month trip will change the way you look at the solar system.

                I would let my students read this book while learning about astronomy in science. Many activities in this book are fantasies on reaching Mars. I will let each student write their own plan for getting to Mars. This activity will require the students to be creative and thoughtful. After the students are done with their fantasy trip to Mars, they will read them to a small group. Each group will pick a story to share with the whole class.

Number the Stars - By: Lois Lowry - Historical Fiction

 

              Ten year old Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen are best friends who live in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the past few months, their lives have changed for the worst. Their town is now filled with Nazi soldiers who are forcing all Jews to leave the city. Ellen’s family is Jewish and they have to flee quickly. They are scared and do not want their daughter to be in danger. The Johansens take in Ellen and pretend like she is Annemarie’s older sister. Many Danish people help smuggle Ellen and other Jews to Sweden for safety from the Nazis. After Ellen is gone, Annemarie waits for her best friend to return home.  

                After students read this book, I would have them research the Star of David and the swastika, both vivid symbols in Number the Stars. The class would have a discussion on these two different symbols and what they both stand for. Next, I would provide the students with craft materials such as Popsicle sticks, yarn, construction paper, markers, and pipe cleaners to create their own symbol. The emblem that they create should represent their own lives. When completed, the students will show their symbol to the class and explain what each part represents.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - By: Mildred Taylor - Multicultural Literature

               The 1930’s is not an easy time for African-American families living in Mississippi, especially the Logans.  The Logans have worked hard to own their own land, which is very uncommon for an African- American family during this time. This family and many others have to deal with racial insults and cruelty daily just because of their skin color. The Logans are sick of being treating unfairly and decide to stand up and fight discrimination. In this book, the Logans stick together and fight racism by boycotting a local store, fighting unfair lynch laws, and encouraging others to fight the battle with them.

I would have my children read this book while learning about the Great Depression and American Civil Rights in social studies. After reading the book, I would have a class discussion and tell the students that this book won the Newbery Award. After explaining what this means, I would have my students pretend that they were on the committee who awarded this book. The students would write a letter on why Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry should be awarded. A section should be included about the theme of this book and why other students should read it in their classrooms.  

Oh the Places You'll Go - By: Dr. Seuss - Fiction

 

Wordle Link- Come here to create your own wordle! 
Below is a sample wordle. I would have my students create a wordle for this book or others. These can allow them to remember what they have read and summarize information. 

Pond Scum - By: Alan Silberberg - Fantasy Fiction

 

            Oliver is upset when he is forced to move to a new town with his mom and sister because of his parent’s recent divorce. At his new home, Oliver only finds joy in watching TV, but there is one problem. There are not many channels to choose from. Oliver climbs unto his roof to install a new antenna so he can have more channels.  When installing the antenna, Oliver discovers a magic crystal. This crystal can turn him into any animal he wants. Oliver enjoys being a bird, fish, spider, rabbit, and other animals. Soon Oliver gets a great idea to use his new ability to make his family leave their new home and take over the forest. Can he make both of his dreams come true?

                After reading Pond Scum with my students, I would have them write their own story. What would they do if they had Oliver’s magical crystal for a day? What animals would they chose to turn into and why? The students would write a story about their own adventure as any animal that they decided to be. After writing their story, the children would share their adventure with a small group.

The Story of Blue Elk - By Gerald Hausman - Traditional Literature

 

               One day a boy was born in a village and did not make a sound. On this day, a great elk came to visit him. As the boy grows, he still cannot speak and his closest friend becomes elk who he met on his birth day. At age 12, the boy falls in love with a girl his own age; however, he cannot tell her about how he feels. The elk helps the boy find his voice by turning his horn into a flute. With this flute, the boy talks to the girl he loves and she falls in love with him.

                I would read this book to my students when teaching them about traditional literature. Before reading the book, I would tell them that this book is a Native American tale. After reading the book, I teach the students about Pourquoi tales. The students would research their own Native American tale. They would create a Glogster or PowerPoint and teach the class about their tale and explain why they chose it.

Seesaw Girl - By Linda Sue Park - International Literature

 

                 Jade Blossom is a young Korean girl who does not like the restrictions given to her just because of her gender. She is not allowed to leave her family’s home or land. She has to stay home and learn to sew, embroider, do laundry, and cook. All respectable girls in Korea during the seventeenth century live just like Jade.  Jade is not satisfied with her life, she wants to be adventurous and travel. She wants to learn to read and write, and learn about politics. These are things that only boys learn. Jade finds a way to chase her dreams and look past the walls of her house.   

                After my students read this book, I would have them research women rights in many countries, including America. Students will have a discussion on how women have been treated differently in the past and how they are still treated unfairly in many cultures today. Students will write an essay about woman’s rights in America. They will include important laws that have been put into place for equality.

Whales on Silts - By M. T. Anderson - Science Fiction

 

             Twelve year old Lily has always been a quiet girl who did not live a very interesting life.  This all changed on career day when she went to work with her dad.  On this day she meets her dad’s boss Larry. Lily knows from the start that something about him is weird.  Later she finds out that he is a mad scientist who plans to take over the world with whales on stilts. Lily and her best friends, Katie and Jasper, help her to stop Larry and save the world.

                I would use this book in literature groups in my classroom. A small group of students (4-6) would read the book together and discuss it while reading and after. I would guide the students with a reciprocal teaching chart. These students will summarize, question, predict, and connect the book to their own experiences. Each student would take turns leading their own discussion about the book.  The students would record key information about each discussion in their literature journals.