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Phylicia Kelly

Professor Schilling

EDUC 340 Literacy Block

Trade Books

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Table of Contents Historical Fiction Genre:…………………………….………………………………pg. 3-6 Molly Bannaky Henry’s Freedom Box Flood Pink and Say The Firekeeper’s Son Fantasy Genre:……………………………………….………………………………pg. 6-9 The School Bus Driver from the Black Lagoon The Tale of the Unicorn How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? The Very Noisy Night The Umbrella Multicultural Genre:……………………………….………………………………..pg. 9-13 The Butterfly Mrs. Katz and Tush Boat Ride with Lillian Two Blossom This Next New Year Allison Realistic Fiction Genre:……………………….....………………………………….pg. 13-17 My Mom is my Show-And-Tell Big Frank’s Fire Truck A Young Man’s Dance Aunt Flossie’s Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) The Quilt Story Nonfiction Genre:………………………………..…………………………………..pg. 17-20 Martin’s Big Words Groundhog Day The Man Who Walked Between the Towers Beatrice’s Goat Ben Franklin and His First Kite Other Genres:………………………………….……………………………….……pg. 20-24

Moses (Historical Fiction) America’s White Table (Historical Fiction) Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Fantasy) Hog-Eye (Fantasy) Rude Giants (Fantasy)

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Title of Book: Molly Bannaky Author’s Name: Alice McGill Copyright Year: 1999 Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 29 pages Synopsis of Story: This story is about a 17-year-old girl named Molly from England, who worked as a dairymaid for a lord. She found herself in court one day due to some accidents on the job. The judge of the court sentenced Molly to be an indentured servant for seven years in the New World. After finishing her seven years of hard labor, she took up her own land with a cabin and her first crop. After realizing that her land was too much for her to handle on her own, she bought a slave named Bannaky that came in on a slave ship from Africa. The two worked together and he taught her many things. They soon fell in love and were married. Together they had four children of their own. Activity:

• Provide the class with a foam cup, soil, and some seeds to grow a flower (or some other plant). Discuss how Molly worked to raise and sell her own crop of tobacco. Then, discuss what the students need to do in order to make their plant grow. Have each student take care of his or her own plant every day. This teaches the students that they can be successful in growing plants just as Molly and Bannaky did.

• Main Activity: Grow plant/flower Source: Original Title of Book: Henry’s Freedom Box Author’s Name: Ellen Levine Copyright Year: 2007 Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 4th grade Number of Pages: 39 pages Synopsis of Story:

This is a story about a young slave named Henry Brown. Henry was a slave for his parents’ master. One day, the master told Henry that he was giving Henry over to his brother, who would become his new master. Henry continued to work for this master for a long time. During this time, Henry met a lady named Nancy who he fell in love with. Even though they both had different masters, both of their masters allowed the two to get married and live together. Together, they had two children. One day, the two children and Nancy were sold at a slave auction. Henry was devastated because he saw his loved ones carried away from him. Finally, Henry decided that he would do what it takes to be free. He talked to a white man who did not believe slavery was right, and this man helped Henry. This man “mailed” Henry in a box to

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some of his friends in Philadelphia so that he could be free. He managed to survive his entire journey to freedom in a box. When he arrived there, he became known as Henry “Box” Brown. Activity:

• Have the students pretend they are a runaway slave back in the days of the Underground Railroad in which they plan an escape route by using a blank map (given by the teacher). Draw a route on the map going from a slave state to the choice of destination. Be sure to identify at least 3 towns that you may travel through. Provide a key on the bottom of the map that indicates the route and stopping places during the route.

• Main Activity: Create map of route Source: “The Topic: Underground Railroad” http://www.42explore2.com/undergrd.htm Title of Book: Flood Author’s Name: Mary Calhoun Copyright Year: 1997 Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 5th grade Number of Pages: 35 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a fictitious story about a historical event that occurred in 1993. In this story, a young girl named Sarajean and her family live by the Mississippi River. The whole town near this river is worried that it will flood their streets and homes. To protect their homes, the men in the town work together to build a levee using sandbags to try to stop the water from flooding the streets. Sarajean and her family refuse to leave their home because that is the house that her grandmother lived in during the Big Flood of the past, and it is the home in which her son was born. Even though the rest of the town leaves, their family stays. However, they have to move to the upstairs of their house. One day, the levee broke and the river came in taking over the town. At this time, Sarajean’s family had to take a fishing boat and head to her uncle’s house. Even though this was a terrible event that ruined their home, they realized that they were very lucky because their family was together and safe. Activity:

• Have the students create a script for a weather update about a flood. The students will get to videotape (in class) a weather update about flood that is coming. Tell them to be creative in writing the script.

• Main Activity: Write a script Source: Original Title of Book: Pink and Say Author’s Name: Patricia Polacco Copyright Year: 1994 Genre: Historical Fiction

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Grade Level: 5th grade Number of Pages: 45 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story that takes place during the time of the Civil War. Sheldon Russell Curtis was a white soldier from Ohio who was injured as he deserted his regiment. Pinkus Aylee was an African American soldier who fought in hopes of bringing an end to slavery. When Sheldon was injured and lying in a field, Pinkus found him and carried him for many, many miles back to his mama’s home. Together, Pinkus and his mom took care of Sheldon’s leg wound and helped him to be able to walk again. After being home for a time with Mama, Pinkus convinced Sheldon that they needed to go back and fight in the war. Sheldon did not want to return, but he knew he owed it to Pinkus to stay with him. As they were getting ready to leave, marauders showed up and killed Pinkus’s mama. The boys were hiding in a cellar because his mom told them too. They were both very upset about her death. After burying her, they continued on back to the war. However, on the way, they were taken captive by the Confederate Army. It has been said that Pinkus Aylee was hanged within a few hours of being held captive. Sheldon was eventually released and had a family of his own. This story was passed down from Sheldon to all of his family members, and the story keeps being told. Activity:

• Split the students into groups of three or four students. In a group, have the students create an ABC Civil War book. The students need to research some facts about the Civil War and include one fact for every letter of the alphabet. As a group, they need to put together a book with the 26 different facts on 26 different pages. They can explore different battles, different places, different people, etc. Tell the students that they must include a picture for at least 13 of the 26 pages in the book; they can be printed or hand drawn pictures. Also, be sure to include a cover for the book.

• Main Activity: Create a book Source: “Fifth Grade Social Studies Projects” http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/ showthread.php?t=54906 Title of Book: The Firekeeper’s Son Author’s Name: Linda Sue Park Copyright Year: 2004 Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 4th grade Number of Pages: 34 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about the bonfire signal system that was used in Korea. In this story, Sang-hee is a young boy who learns about this bonfire system from his father. His father tells him that this part of Korea is made up of many mountains, and it is essential that each village lights a bonfire on the top of their mountain at sunset. By starting a fire on the top of the mountain, it signifies that everything is fine and there is not trouble among their land. Sang-

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hee’s mountain fire is the first fire that needs to be lit. When the people from the next mountain see this fire all lit up, they light their bonfire as well. This is a system that moves from one mountain top to the next until it reaches the king. If the king does not see a bonfire on the last mountain top, then he knows that there is trouble in the land. He will then send troops out to fight the enemy. In this story, Sang-hee has to rush to light the bonfire one night because he father was hurt. He almost could not get the fire started, but he finally did. From that day forward, the people in their village knew that they had another firekeeper they could depend on. Activity:

• Have the students go through the story and choose 10 different words. Give the students a piece of graphing paper to create their own word search. With this graphing paper, the students will be able to put letters in individual boxes to make an organized word search.

• Main Activity: Create a word search Source: Original Title of Book: The School Bus Driver from the Black Lagoon Author’s Name: Mike Thaler Copyright Year: 1999 Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 1st grade Number of Pages: 30 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a young boy who is getting a new bus driver. Before the bus picks him up at his bus stop in the morning, he starts thinking about all of the rumors that his classmates have told him about his new bus driver, T. Rex Fenderbender. First, he imagines his bus driver as a dinosaur. He has heard this new bus driver sometimes drives like he’s in the Indy 500; he has heard that the bus driver drives on the sidewalk because it makes him less likely to hit a car; he has heard that the bus driver will make the students change a flat tire if one happens to the bus. All of these rumors create a worried feeling in this young boy. However, in the end, the bus driver ends up being completely opposite of what the boy imagined. Activity:

• Teach the students school bus safety by bringing in a large appliance box. Make sure that one side of the box is cut off before the bus is brought into class. The box will represent a bus. Place as many children-sized chairs inside that can fit. Be sure to have one chair be for the bus driver. Use the box to allow each child to practice getting on the bus the proper way.

• Main Activity: Physically practice getting on bus Source: “Car and Bus Safety” http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748178 Title of Book: The Tale of the Unicorn Author’s Name: Otfried Preussler

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Copyright Year: 1988 Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 22 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about three brothers who wanted to find a unicorn. One brother was tall and skinny; one brother was short and fat; and the other brother’s name was Hans. They wanted to find this unicorn and kill it so that they could make a lot of money off of it and become rich. Together, all 3 brothers started on a journey to find this unicorn. When they arrived in some village, the fat brother found a lady whom he called on to be his wife. Therefore, the other 2 brothers continued the journey together. Then, the tall, skinny brother found a lump of gold which made him rich so he decided to end the journey. Finally, Hans was completing this task on his own. He had to walk through the “deepest night and coldest ice” to find this unicorn, but when he did find it, he chose not to kill it. The unicorn was so beautiful and peaceful that he could not bear to kill it. Many years later, Hans shared this story with his grandchildren. Activity:

• After reading this story, have the students make their own magical creature (not a unicorn). Have them make a puppet form of their creature and encourage the use of creative materials, such as cardboard, cloth, beads, yarn, sequins, etc. After creating their puppet, they can share the creature with the class and tell what is unique about it.

• Main Activity: Create a puppet of a magical creature Source: “Unicorns, Dragons, and Other Magical Creatures” http://edsitement.neh.gov/view _lesson_plan.asp?id=244#LESSON5 Title of Book: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? Author’s Name: Jane Yolen Copyright Year: 2000 Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 1st grade Number of Pages: 29 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a short story about how different dinosaurs say good night. In this story, the dinosaurs sleep in beds and have human parents. Some of the dinosaurs in this book include a tyrannosaurus rex, a stegosaurus, a piteranadon, a trachodon, a triceratops, and many more. When these dinosaurs say good night, we discover that they do not pout; they do not throw their teddy bear; they do not roar; they do not moan; and they do not even cry. These dinosaurs give their parents a big kiss, they turn off the lights, give them a hug, and they say good night. Activity:

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• Provide each student with a small can of play dough. Using the play dough, the students will individually create a dinosaur. They can choose to make any type of dinosaur from the book.

• Main Activity: Use play dough to create a dinosaur Source: http://www.makewayforbooks.org/test/images/PDF/Dinosaurs_Say_Goodnight_ guide.pdf Title of Book: The Very Noisy Night Author’s Name: Diana Hendry Copyright Year: 2001 Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 29 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about Big Mouse and Little Mouse at night. Big Mouse is fast asleep, but Little Mouse cannot sleep because he hears all kinds of different noises that keep frightening him. First, he heard a huffing and puffing noise, but it was only the wind. Then, he heard a tap tapping noise, but it was only a branch on the window. Next, he heard the hoo-hooing of what he thought was a ghost, but it was only an owl. Then, Little Mouse heard the dripping of a faucet, which he thought was rain dripping inside the house. Finally, Little Mouse only heard the snoring of Big Mouse. Throughout the whole night, every time Little Mouse heard a frightening noise, he repeatedly asked if he could sleep with Big Mouse in his bed. The answer was always “no,” but eventually Big Mouse let him. Little Mouse was finally happy and able to sleep once he was in bed with Big Mouse. Activity:

• Have the students create a poster about what they see at night and what types of noises they hear at night. The poster needs to include pictures and/or words that portray these aspects of nighttime.

• Main Activity: Create a poster Source: http://www.listenaminute.com/n/night.html Title of Book: The Umbrella Author’s Name: Jan Brett Copyright Year: 2004 Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 31 pages Synopsis of Story: In this story, a young boy named Carlos takes his umbrella and heads into a cloud forest in hopes of seeing some animals. When he gets there, he does not spot any animals so he sets his

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umbrella on the ground and climbs a tree in hopes of seeing some from high above. Along comes a little frog named Froggy, who hops into the umbrella and takes it for himself. Next, Toucan comes, waiting for figs to fall in the umbrella. Then, Kinkajou comes into the umbrella looking for a comfortable place to rest. While all of this is happening, Froggy squeaks that he is not happy about these other animals taking over. Along with these forest animals, Baby Tapir, a bird named Quetzal, a monkey, and a jaguar also decide to come into the umbrella. All of the animals squeak, growl, holler, snarl, and screech because they know this umbrella is going to sink into the water, and it does. All of the animals go under. While all of this is happening down on the forest floor, Carlos is up above and does not spot any animals. He finally returns home and notices that he has taken Froggy with him. Froggy ends up being very happy because the umbrella is officially his very own, with no other animals. Activity:

• Collect several magazines with a variety of animals in them. Then, have the students create a collage. Provide each student with a piece of construction paper in which they draw an umbrella at the bottom of the page. Then, have the students find a variety of different animals from the magazines to put in the umbrella, making a collage of different animals.

• Main Activity: Create a collage Source: Original Title of Book: The Butterfly Author’s Name: Patricia Polacco Copyright Year: 2000 Genre: Multicultural Grade Level: 6th grade Number of Pages: 41 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a young girl and the Jewish family that was living in her basement. The story takes place in France during the Holocaust. One night the young girl named Monique was in her bedroom asleep, but when she woke in the middle of the night, she spotted another young girl in her bedroom. Monique thought that the girl was a ghost. She went to school and told her best friend about the ghost girl in her room. That day after school Monique and her best friend were walking home when they saw the Nazi soldiers taking away the kind man who owns the candy shop in their town. The girls were very scared and they did not understand the situation. Several nights went by until Monique finally saw her ghost friend again. The ghost was not a real ghost; it was a young girl named Sevrine who was living with her family in Monique’s basement. Sevrine was a Jewish girl and they were hiding from the Nazis. After meeting Sevrine, Monique and Sevrine became great friends. One day Monique found a beautiful butterfly outside and brought it in for Sevrine to see. Monique told Sevrine that she would be as free as that butterfly one day. Then, one night Sevrine was spotted with Monique. After being spotted, Monique and her mother helped Sevrine’s family to escape. They could no longer stay in Monique’s house. Sevrine and Monique had gone separate ways. After a couple

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weeks, Monique saw a whole pack of butterflies fluttering outside, and she knew that this was a sign saying that Sevrine and her family were safe. Activity:

• Have the students write two postcards. First, explain the purpose of a postcard and what belongs on a postcard. Have the students write two different postcards from two different perspectives. Write one postcard from Monique to Sevrine, and another postcard from Sevrine to Monique. Explain to the students that they need to be sure to write from the different perspectives. They need to pretend they are Monique and write about the Holocaust situation according to Monique’s viewpoint. Then, they need to do the same for Sevrine’s viewpoint.

• Main Activity: Write two postcards Source: Original Title of Book: Mrs. Katz and Tush Author’s Name: Patricia Polacco Copyright Year: 1992 Genre: Multicultural Grade Level: 4th grade Number of Pages: 29 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about an old, Jewish woman named Mrs. Katz and her friendly neighbor, Larnel. Larnel would go with his mother to visit Mrs. Katz throughout the week. Mrs. Katz is a lonely old lady because her husband died and they did not have any children. Larnel realized how alone Mrs. Katz really was so he brought her a young kitten and asked her if she would like to take care of the kitten. Mrs. Katz agreed to keep the kitten as long as Larnel came by to help her because she did not know anything about kittens. Together, they named the cat Tush because it did not have a tail. Every day, Larnel would visit Mrs. Katz and help her with the cat. Meanwhile, Larnel learned a lot about Mrs. Katz’s past. Mrs. Katz told Larnel about how her Jewish people were much like Larnel’s African American people. She talked about how their people have seen trouble in the past, yet they have also seen happiness. Mrs. Katz also told Larnel about the celebration of Passover and why her people celebrate Passover. Larnel asked if he could celebrate Passover with Mrs. Katz and she was so pleased to have him. Then, one day when Mrs. Katz and Larnel were out, Tush had gotten out. He was missing. Larnel and Mrs. Katz did whatever they could to find him. One night, Larnel’s father found the cat and Mrs. Katz was very happy again. One day Tush had kittens and Mrs. Katz finally had some of her own children. Mrs. Katz and the kittens became a part of Larnel’s family throughout the rest of Mrs. Katz’s life. Activity:

• Have the students create a self portrait. Using this book, discuss with the students ways in which Mrs. Katz and Larnel were alike. Then, discuss ways in which they were different from each other. After having this discussion, explain to the students that they

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are all special in their own individual way. Have the students draw a portrait of themselves. Then, have them write three reasons why they are special.

• Main Activity: Create a self portrait Source: “Local School Directory” http://www.localschooldirectory.com/lesson-plans/id/87 Title of Book: Boat Ride with Lillian Two Blossom Author’s Name: Patricia Polacco Copyright Year: 1988 Genre: Multicultural Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 28 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about two young children, Mabel and Will, who go on a boat ride with an Indian lady named Lillian Two Blossom. One day Mabel and Will went to Kalaska Pond to go fishing along the shore. Mabel repeatedly asked Will questions such as these: “What makes it rain? Where does the wind come from? Why does the sun cross the sky? How come the moon looks so cold?” (4, 5). Will did not know the answers to these questions. Then, all of a sudden the bushes rustled and someone came out. It was Lillian Two Blossom, the old Indian lady. She said that she would tell them the answers to all of those questions if they would take her out on the boat. Will rowed the boat out to the middle of the pond as Lillian Two Blossom said and all of a sudden the boat jumped right out of the water. Lillian became young again. As they traveled in this boat, Lillian explained that it rains because the “great spirit fish thrash in the heavens” (13). She explained where the wind comes from, where the night comes from, and how the moon moves across the sky. Then, they all finally returned to the middle of the pond and Lillian Two Blossom was old once again. When they returned, they wondered where they had been, but Lillian only told them that they were on a boat ride. Activity:

• Have the students create their own dream catcher. Explain to the students that a dream catcher is a traditional Native American craft (Lillian Two Blossom was a Native American lady). To create a dream catcher give each student a pipe cleaner. They will bend the pipe cleaner to make a round circle and connect the ends. Then, give each student some thread/string so that they can attach it to the pipe cleaner making a design. They can wind it all around the pipe cleaner, for example. You also need to give them another piece of thread to attach to the top of the dream catcher so they can hang it above their bed. Explain to the students that Native Americans use a dream catcher to catch all of the bad dreams and to let all of the good dreams go through the circle.

• Main Activity: Create a dream catcher

Source: “Teacher Vision” http://www.teachervision.fen.com/novels/historical-fiction/26541.html?page=2

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Title of Book: This Next New Year Author’s Name: Janet S. Wong Copyright Year: 2000 Genre: Multicultural Grade Level: 1st grade Number of Pages: 29 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about how a half-Korean boy plans to prepare for the upcoming Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year is not January 1st, but it is the day of the first new moon. For Chinese New Year, this boy’s family celebrates by having the Korean new year soup, duk gook. His best friend, who is French and German, celebrates by having Thai food. Another best friend, who is Hopi and Mexican, says that she loves Chinese New Year because she gets red envelopes with money in them. This young, half-Korean boy has a great feeling about this upcoming year. He feels that it is going to be the best year ever. To be sure of it, he and his family are doing whatever they can to get rid of all of their bad luck. They sweep up the past year’s dust. The boy washes and dries his hair extra well so that the good luck can drip into his brain. He saves his cleanest clothes for this special day and he vows not to say one bad thing on this day. He wants a fresh start and he wants to make his many dreams come true starting this New Year. Activity:

• Tell the students we are going to work on our alphabet while we play a game called Chinese Zodiac Alphabetical Order Race. First, explain what the Chinese Zodiacs are and how this year is the year of the Tiger. Then, assign each child an animal from the Chinese Zodiac (put them on slips of paper and have them draw them out of a hat). Tell the students that they will race to put their animals and themselves in alphabetical order when you give them the “go” sign.

• Main Activity: Play Chinese Zodiac Alphabetical Order Race Source: “Chinese New Year Games” http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year_games.htm Title of Book: Allison Author’s Name: Allen Say Copyright Year: 1997 Genre: Multicultural Grade Level: 4th grade Number of Pages: 32 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a young girl named Allison who lives with her two parents and her doll, Mei Mei. One day, after receiving a kimono from her grandmother, Allison stood in front of the mirror with her parents and her doll. At that time, she realized that she was different from her parents. She looked like her doll, but she did not look like her parents. Allison asked her parents where Mei Mei came from. Her father told her that she and Mei Mei came from a

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country far, far away. Allison became upset after finding out this news. She realized that these people were not her mother and father. One day after school, Allison had destroyed her mother’s dolls from when she was younger and said she did not care because she was not really her mother. Then, she destroyed her father’s baseball and mitt and said she did not care because he was not really her father. Allison was so upset that she was different from her parents and that she did not have a real mother and father. Then, later that day, Allison spotted a cat outside her window. This cat did not have a mother or father just like her. Allison brought the cat inside and asked if she could keep the cat. She said she was sorry about destroying their items, but she really wanted this cat. She said that he did not have a mother or father like her and he needed a home. Allison became happy and they all were a family once more. Activity:

• To learn about the different cultures of the different students in your classroom, conduct a parents/grandparents day. Each student can choose to have their parents or their grandparents come in for the day. During this visit, prepare activities that will allow each student to explore their background. For example, have each student, with their parents/grandparents, write a brief story about their heritage. The students will get to learn about their own background from their guests and then they will all have a chance to share with their classmates.

• Main Activity: Have a parents/grandparents day Source: Original Title of Book: My Mom Is My Show-and-Tell Author’s Name: Dolores Johnson Copyright Year: 1999 Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 29 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a boy named David who brings his mother to show-and-tell for his class. Several of the other students’ parents have already come to his class and they have not done well to keep the students entertained. David is worried that his mother will bore his class so he tells her many things not to do so that she will not be boring and will not embarrass him. David asks his mom not to tell any of her funny jokes; he asks her not to call him Pumpkin; he asks her not to tuck his shirt in his pants; he asks her not to show any of his baby pictures; and he does not want her to dance for his class. When they arrive at the school, David grows really worried because his classmates see his mother dancing up to the school; however, when it is time to introduce his mom, he leads her into one of her jokes and tells his class that she is the best teacher and the best mother in the world. He is proud to have her as his show-and-tell. Activity:

• Conduct a show-and-tell in your classroom. Have each student bring in something that is important to them. To make the show and tell more exciting, you can change it a little

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bit. Have the students prepare 5 adjectives to describe the object they are bringing into class. Then, have each student stand up and describe their object using 5 different sentences with these 5 adjectives. After describing their show-and-tell item, allow the classmates to guess what it is before they show the item.

• Main Activity: Conduct a show-and-tell Source: “Classroom Zoom” http://www.classroomzoom.com/lessons/88/show-dont-tell Title of Book: Big Frank’s Fire Truck Author’s Name: Leslie McGuire Copyright Year: 1996 Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 29 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a man named Big Frank who is a firefighter. He works 24-hour shifts and then he has two days off before his next shift. This story is about Big Frank’s full day of work. His day starts at nine o’clock in the morning and ends the following day at nine o’clock. The first thing Big Frank does is to check his schedule for the day. Then, he goes to fuel up the fire trucks for the rest of the day. After filling up the fire trucks, Big Frank checks his gear to make sure that he has all of his protective gear if it is needed. Afterwards, the bell of the fire station starts ringing and Big Frank and some other firefighters have to head out to a car fire. After handling the car fire, Big Frank goes to a supermarket in town to make a fire inspection. Then, Big Frank has time for a quick lunch before he goes to an elementary school to talk to second-graders about how to handle fires. Just after leaving the elementary school, Big Frank is called to another fire that becomes so severe that other firefighter companies are called in as well. After spending all night fighting this fire, Big Frank has time to go back to the firehouse, clean up, have breakfast, and finally head home. It was a long, hard day at work for Big Frank. Activity:

• Take your class on a field trip to the nearest Fire Station. By going to the fire station, the students will be able to get up into a fire truck to see what it is like. The students will be able to see the firemens’ gear and possibly try it on themselves. The students will get the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on how to properly handle fires.

• Main Activity: Take a field trip to the Fire Station Source: Original Title of Book: A Young Man’s Dance Author’s Name: Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton Copyright Year: 2006 Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 29 pages

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Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a young boy and his grandma. The boy talks about how his grandmother is no longer home anymore. When she used to be home, she used to bake him some delicious cookies. While they waited for the cookies to bake, they would dance together. His grandmother would tell him that a “young man needs to know how to dance if he is going to get himself a girl” (3). When his grandma lived at home, he was very happy to see her. However, things changed. The boy no longer enjoys going to see his grandma because she does not remember him and she does not live at home. She lives in a nursing home. One time he visited his grandma and he brought her some of her own delicious cookies. She did not even try any of the cookies. The young boy grows more and more hurt each time he visits her because she does not even know him. Then, one day he was visiting his grandma and all of the people were in a circle listening to music. His grandma told him that she loves dancing. Since his grandma cannot walk and she is in a wheelchair, the boy grabs the wheelchair handles and spins his grandmother around. The boy helps his grandmother to dance again. Activity:

• Take your class to a large, open area (like a gym or cafeteria). Bring different types of music with a different pace, such as fast-moving music and slow-moving music. This will be a good activity to incorporate some physical activity in your classroom. Tell the students to move around the room at the pace at which the music is moving. For example, if the music is fast-paced, then the students should be moving very quickly. To add more to this lesson, have the students work on different locomotor skills, such as running, skipping, jumping, hopping, etc. while they move to the pace of the music.

• Main Activity: Physical Activity in a gymnasium to music Source: Original Title of Book: Aunt Flossie’s Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) Author’s Name: Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard Copyright Year: 1991 Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 31 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about two young girls, Sarah and Susan, who go to their Aunt Flossie’s house. Their Aunt Flossie has boxes and boxes of hats, all of which have a story to go along with them. When the girls arrive at Aunt Flossie’s house, she allows the girls to look at the hats and then they will go get some crab cakes later. As they are going through all of the hats, Aunt Flossie tells a story that went along with a wooly, green, winter hat. Aunt Flossie tells how the hat still smells of smoke because she wore it during the big fire in Baltimore. Aunt Flossie said that they fire was not near their house, but one could smell smoke for miles. Then, Aunt Flossie told a different story that went along with a dark blue hat with a red feather. This story reminded her of the big parade in Baltimore. Finally, the last story that Aunt Flossie told was about a hat in which Sarah and Susan were both there. One day Aunt Flossie was wearing her favorite and

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best Sunday hat while they were all walking along a river. Her hat flew right off her head and into the water. With some help from a young boy and his dog, Aunt Flossie was able to get her favorite and best Sunday hat back. After telling all the stories about the different hats, Aunt Flossie took the girls out to get some crab cakes just as they usually do when they visit Aunt Flossie. Activity:

• Have each student create a hat that is unique to themselves. Explain to the students that they can use construction paper, glue, scissors, and any extra materials they can think of to make a hat that has something to do with them. After creating the hat, have each student stand up and explain the significance of their hat. For example, I may make a hat that has lots of purple on it, that has a picture of a pig, and a drawing of each of my family members. All of these things would be significant to me and I could explain why.

• Main Activity: Create individual hats Source: Original Title of Book: The Quilt Story Author’s Name: Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola Copyright Year: 1985 Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 26 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a young girl named Abigail and the quilt that her mother made for her. Her mother stitched a quilt with falling stars and the name Abigail on it. Abigail loved this quilt. She wore the quilt around her when she watched the dark sky at night, when she played in the woods, when she had tea parties, when she pretended to wear it as a gown, and when she played hide-and-go-seek. Abigail took this quilt with her everywhere, even when they moved to a new house. Through all the years of carrying this quilt and playing with it, the quilt grew old and needed several new stitchings. Then, one day the quilt was packed away in the attic. Some mice made their way into the attic and used the quilt, along with a raccoon and a kitten. However, one day the quilt was discovered by another young girl; it was Abigail’s daughter. After finding the quilt, Abigail re-stitched the quilt for her daughter, and the young girl took this quilt with her with everything she did. Activity:

• Have the students start their own Storybook Quilt. This will be a year-long project (or however long you would like to make it). After reading a book, give each student a square sheet of paper. They will need to write the name of the story in the middle of the square and then design the rest of the square so that it includes things from that book. You can have the students design a new square for each book that they read throughout the year, or just the books you read aloud in class. After creating as many squares as you

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would like, have the students put their squares together to make a large quilt. This project will allow each student to have their own quilt of stories at the end of the year.

• Main Activity: Create a storybook quilt Source: Suite101 http://lesson-plan-help.suite101.com/article.cfm/create_a_story_quilt_in_class Title of Book: Martin’s Big Words Author’s Name: Doreen Rapport Copyright Year: 2001 Genre: Nonfiction Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 27 pages Synopsis of Story: This story contains a true account of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. The story begins when King was a young boy. He grew up seeing “White Only” signs all over his hometown. King would go to church to listen to his father preach some big words that made him feel good. His father said “You are as good as anyone,” and young Martin believed he was (3). Martin Luther King Jr. grew up and became a minister just like his father. This story discusses how King studied Gandhi’s teachings of love to win his Indian nation to freedom. From that point on, King wanted to bring freedom to his people without violence. The story mentions the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and how King stood with his people through all of the tough times. Then, King also stood with his fellow black Americans as they protested for equal rights all over the South. Even though Martin Luther King was threatened several times, he never gave up. He wanted to help all Americans. In 1968 King went to Memphis, Tennessee to help garbage collectors on their strike, but this brought an end to King’s life. He was shot and killed in the fight to help laborers. Throughout his life, Martin Luther King Jr. used his big words to speak up for American rights and to help in any way that he could. Activity:

• Have the students go to this website: http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/taverna/98/king.htm This website will take the students through a timeline of Dr. King’s life. They can learn in more detail some of the events throughout his life. After going through the timeline online, have the students take the online quiz to see how much they learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Main Activity: Website timeline and online quiz. Source: “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/taverna/98/king.htm Title of Book: Groundhog Day Author’s Name: Gail Gibbons Copyright Year: 2007 Genre: Nonfiction Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 31 pages

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Synopsis of Story: This is the true story about the celebration of Groundhog Day. This story explains that Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd when people all over the United States wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow. The idea of Groundhog Day originates back to when the people of Europe began observing animals. They concluded that if a hibernating animal woke from its sleep and saw its shadow, then there would many more weeks left of winter. When the Europeans came to North America, several of them came to Pennsylvania. Groundhogs are very popular there. After several years of observing these groundhogs, a man named Clymer Freas declared February 2nd to be Groundhog Day. From then on, people all over continued to celebrate this special holiday. People may choose to enjoy this day by drawing pictures, playing games, or reading stories about Punxsutawney Phil to children. Punxsutawney Phil is the “star” of this big day (29). Activity:

• Have the students do a math exercise and science exercise in which they measure their own shadow outside on a sunny day. First, explain to your students that the position of the sun in the sky has to do with the length of one’s shadow. Take your students outside three times in one day to measure their shadows at different times of the day. The students need to work in pairs so that one student can measure their partner’s shadow and mark it on the ground with chalk. Also, have them note approximately, where the sun is at in the sky next to their length. Connect this activity with Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow.

• Main Activity: Measure the length of students’ shadows outside Source: “A Shadow of Yourself” http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/04/lp330-05.shtml Title of Book: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers Author’s Name: Mordicai Gerstein Copyright Year: 2003 Genre: Nonfiction Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 34 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a true story about Philippe Petit. He was a man who stretched a wire between the Twin Towers on August of 1974 and walked across it as if it was a tightrope. This story tells how Philippe prepared for his journey to walk between the towers. When Philippe grew up in Paris, he watched these Twin Towers being constructed. From that time, he knew that he had to walk in the space between them. However, he knew that the police and owners of the towers would never allow it, just as the police in Paris did not allow it. Therefore, Philippe had to come up with a plan if he wanted to reach his dream. His idea was to wait until evening and pose as construction workers since they were still building the towers at this time. When everyone was gone for the night, they carried the wire and all other necessary props up many stairs. A couple

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of friends met on top of the other tower, while Philippe was on one tower. The friends shot an arrow to Philippe’s tower with a line so that they could attach the wire to both buildings. During this time, they ran into a few difficulties, but they were able to complete their task by dawn. Philippe walked the wire as the sun was rising. People from the streets, including police officers began to notice the man walking between the towers. When Philippe finally came off of the wire, he was arrested. However, the judge only sentenced him to perform in the park for the children. That is what he did. Activity:

• Have the students pretend they are newspaper reporters and that they just witnessed this man, Philippe Petit, walking on a wire between the Twin Towers. Each student needs to write their own newspaper article about this astonishing event. Tell them to include these elements: A name of the article, who they are writing about, what happened, where it happened, why it happened, and an interesting fact about the event. You can even have the students draw a picture of this event. If they really had attended the event, they most likely would have taken some pictures to put in the newspaper.

• Main Activity: Write a newspaper article Source: Original Title of Book: Beatrice’s Goat Author’s Name: Paige McBrier Copyright Year: 2001 Genre: Nonfiction Grade Level: 5th grade Number of Pages: 31 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a true story about a 9 year old Ugandan girl named Beatrice. Beatrice lives with her mother and her 5 other siblings in an African village. Beatrice has grown up helping her mom plant the fields, taking care of the chickens, and watching her younger siblings. She was not able to attend school because her family could not afford it. However, Beatrice’s life changed when her family received a goat as a gift from people far away. Beatrice’s mother told her that she would be the one to take care of this goat because it would bring her great things. After taking care of the goat (named Mugisa) for two weeks, the goat had two babies. Beatrice felt like Mugisa had brought her a great thing when she saw the babies being born. However, Beatrice did not know the benefits that were still to come. Every day, she would milk her goat and use the milk to keep her family properly nourished. If there was any leftover milk, she would sell it to someone for a small coin. One day, Beatrice’s mother told her that she had saved enough money to finally attend school. Even though her family needed a few other things, Beatrice’s mother wanted her daughter to receive an education, and so did she. At the end, Beatrice’s mother said that they would be selling one of the baby goats soon. This would bring about all kinds of good things for their family because they would make enough money to make a better home.

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Activity: • Have your students watch the movie, The Promise. This movie is about Heifer

International, which is the organization that gave Beatrice’s family the goat. This video discusses how this organization uses donated money to help families that need it. After watching this movie, have the students write about how the several students presented in the movie were similar AND different. Use this as an opportunity to discuss different lifestyles in different parts of the world.

• Main Activity: Watch the movie, The Promise Source: “World Hunger” http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit140/lesson3.html Title of Book: Ben Franklin and His First Kite Author’s Name: Stephen Krensky Copyright Year: 2002 Genre: Nonfiction Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 32 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a true story about young Benjamin Franklin. When he was 10 years old, he would work with his father in his candle shop. However, Ben did not really like working in the candle shop. He seemed to be more of a creative person; he liked inventing new things. One day, at the candle shop, he asked if he could leave for the day to go out and try an experiment. Then, he ran home, grabbed his homemade kite, and headed to the pond. At the pond, he wanted to see if the wind against the kite would pull him across the pond. He laid in the water and held onto the kite. When the wind took hold of the kite, it pulled him all the way across the pond. He didn’t even have to swim one stroke. He was so happy about his experiment. At 10 years old, Ben Franklin was experimenting and trying to invent new and exciting objects. Activity:

• Split your class into groups of 2 or 3 students. Together, these students need to create an advertisement for an invention of their own. Before creating this advertisement, they need to come up with some idea or some invention. Tell them to think about what their invention/product will do, what it will be used for, and why it will be useful to invent. After deciding on a product to invent, the students need to create an advertisement on a large piece of construction paper. Then, each group will present their advertisement for their new product to the class.

• Main Activity: Create an advertisement for a new invention/product Source: Original Title of Book: Moses Author’s Name: Carole Boston Weatherford Copyright Year: 2006 Genre: Historical Fiction (Other)

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Grade Level: 4th grade Number of Pages: 38 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about Harriet Tubman and how she escaped slavery and found freedom. Harriet was very religious and fully believed that God would lead her to freedom. She knew that He would watch over her and take her to a safe place. After discussing her long and tiresome journey, she eventually made it safely to free land. However, after being there, she realized that she would do anything to bring her loved ones to free land as well; she would give her life for them. She prayed and prayed to God to give her a sign and give her the strength to lead her loved ones. Following God’s word, she was able to bring them on the journey through the Underground Railroad to safety. She risked a lot to do what she did, but she realized that she could no longer be a slave. The life was too rugged and difficult so she took it upon herself to approach this journey. She eventually found freedom for herself and many others. Activity:

• Have your students do a Harriet Tubman Cyberhunt (a scavenger hunt using the internet). Give your students a series of questions about Harriet Tubman. Take them to the computer lab and have them look for these answers on the computer. This will help them learn more about Harriet Tubman and what her life was like. Here are some types of questions you may want to use: 1) What was Harriet’s given name? 2) How many brothers and sisters did she have? 3) What different things did Harriet do during the Civil War? 4) Who is the only person she told about her plans? 5) Who was Harriet’s first passenger on the Underground Railroad?

• Main Activity: Internet scavenger hunt Source: “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad” http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/ archives/04-1/lesson005.shtml Title of Book: America’s White Table Author’s Name: Margot Theis Raven Copyright Year: 2005 Genre: Historical Fiction (Other) Grade Level: 4th grade Number of Pages: 30 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a very touching story about a family that sets a small white table on Veteran’s Day for all of the POWs (prisoners of war) and MIAs (missing in action) of the Armed Forces. In this story, Mama tells her three young girls about each item that she places on this white table. They cover the table with a white cloth to recognize the soldier’s pure heart for answering his call of duty; they place a lemon and salt on a plate to represent the bitter fate of a captured soldier; they place a red rose as a sign of hope for those who are missing; they place a white candle to represent peace; and finally, they place an empty chair at the table to represent the missing soldiers that are not with them. Mama tells her daughters the story about how their

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uncle John was captured during the Vietnam War and he never gave up. He managed to escape, carrying a fellow prisoner on his back. To show their gratitude, the three girls decided to create something special to add to their white table for their uncle John. When their uncle John saw this small white table, his eyes filled with tears of pride. Activity:

• Have your students write a haiku poem explaining what the word hero means to them. The significance of this book is to show respect to the heroes who are fighting for our country and to those who have gone missing. Explain to the students that their haiku poem has to have five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line.

• Main Activity: Create a haiku poem Source: “America’s White Table” http://www.drechsler.us/ritch/celia/hss/americas_white_table.htm Title of Book: Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears Author’s Name: Cindy Meyers Copyright Year: 1999 Genre: Fantasy (Other) Grade Level: 2nd grade Number of Pages: 26 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about Goldilocks and the three bears. There was one great big bear called Papa Bear, one middle-sized bear called Mama Bear, and one small bear called Baby bear. However, Baby Bear is in a wheel chair and occasionally has to go to physical therapy. One day, when all three bears were out, a young girl named Goldilocks stumbled upon the bear’s home. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. The door was open so Goldilocks went into the house and tried out Papa Bear’s, Mama Bear’s, and Baby Bear’s chair. Baby Bear’s chair was just right. Then, she tried out each bear’s porridge, and Baby Bear’s was just the right temperature. Finally, she grew really tired and tried out each bed, but she was not satisfied until she found the moving bed of Baby Bear’s. When the bears returned home, they found Goldilocks in Baby Bear’s bed and asked her why she was there. Goldilocks was lost and hungry and needed a place to go. From that day forward, Baby Bear and Goldilocks became the best of friends. Goldilocks was very curious about Baby Bear’s wheelchair and did whatever she could to help when they were out playing. Activity:

• Have the students create a diorama in which they recreate a scene from the story. Have each student bring in a shoebox and different items from home that can be used in a diorama. Encourage them to bring scraps of paper, clay, popsicle sticks, cloth, feathers, etc. After creating the dioramas, have the students write on a note card what is happening in their scene so that they can attach it to the diorama.

• Create a diorama

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Source: “The Three Bears Extension Activities” http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral. jsp?id=682 Title of Book: Hog-Eye Author’s Name: Susan Meddaugh Copyright Year: 1995 Genre: Fantasy (Other) Grade Level: 4th grade Number of Pages: 32 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a young, girl pig who did not make it to school one day because she got on the wrong bus. When she realized she was on the wrong bus, she asked the bus driver to let her off the bus. The bus driver dropped her off on the side of the road. Luckily, the young pig knew how to read street signs so she knew how to get home. However, she decided that it would be quicker if she walked home through the woods. On her route home, a wolf snatched her right up to take her home to make some yummy soup. At the wolf’s home, he began to boil a large pot of water. The young pig realized that the wolf did not know how to read his own recipe so she told him that he was following the recipe wrong. Since she was so smart, the wolf had her read the recipe aloud. By reading the recipe aloud, the young pig was able to outsmart the wolf. She sent the wolf on some long, drawn out adventures in hopes of escaping while he was gone. The young pig set him up for a trap in a garden, convinced him to climb down a cliff, swim down a waterfall, and roll around in some poison ivy. The wolf did not know that he was being tricked all along. When the wolf returned the last time, the young pig told the wolf to release her or she was going to give him “Hog-Eye” (27). Hog-eye would make you itch and itch all over. The pig was set free from the wolf if she agreed to make the itching stop. However, we all know that she was not able to make the itching stop, and his itching disease is not hog-eye. Activity:

• For this activity, have your students write a recipe about the ice cream they are going to create. First, you need to bring in all different types of toppings and types of ice cream. For example, you may choose to bring in vanilla and chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, nuts, M&Ms, Oreos, sprinkles, marshmallows, etc. Then, give each student a large 5x7 note card. On this note card, they need to give their new ice cream a name. Then, they need to specifically write exactly what goes into their ice cream and how much of each item they will use. You may want to show them a sample recipe before they make their recipes. After each student creates his/her own recipe, allow the student to make their own concoction of the ice cream.

• Main Activity: Write a recipe Source: Original Title of Book: Rude Giants Author’s Name: Audrey Wood

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Copyright Year: 1993 Genre: Fantasy (Other) Grade Level: 3rd grade Number of Pages: 31 pages Synopsis of Story: This is a story about Beatrix the butter maid, and Gerda the cow. Beatrix always gave Gerda all the yellow hay she could ask for and Gerda always gave Beatrix all the milk she needed to make butter. These two lived very happily until two very rude giants moved into their village. They moved into a huge castle on top of the hill. One day, when Beatrix and Gerda were out in the village, the two rude giants swooped up her cow and took her home to eat. Beatrix hurried behind and tried to do whatever she could to stop these giants from eating Gerda, the finest cow in the village. She told the giants that they could not eat this cow until their castle was clean. Therefore, she taught them how to clean. Then, she told them that they could not eat this cow until they had learned some manners. Beatrix had taught them manners. Finally, Beatrix told them that they could not eat this fine cow until they looked beautiful. Together, Gerda and Beatrix made these giants very beautiful and handsome. However, these giants were still very hungry and they wanted to eat this delicious-looking cow. That is when Beatrix came up with a great plan. Beatrix went to the village and invited all the people to come to the castle. Every person brought his or her own dish of food. From that day forward, these giants realized that they wanted to have a party every week in which everyone was invited. Activity:

• Have your students create an invitation. In the book, Rude Giants, the giants decided that they wanted to have a party every week in which everyone from the village was invited. If the students decided to have a party like the giants, they would need to create an invitation so that everyone knows they are invited. On their invitation, they need to indicate what type of party they will be having. They also need to tell the time, the place, who the party is for, and what each person needs to bring. Then, every student needs to decorate their invitation according to the theme of the party. For example, if a student chooses to have a swimming pool party, they may choose to decorate the invitation with goggles, a towel, and a bright sun.

• Main Activity: Create an invitation for a party

Source: Original