Trade Books Project By Shaina Clark Genre: Multi-cultural

Trade Books Project

By

Shaina Clark

Genre: Multi-cultural

TITLE OF BOOK ACTIVITIES

More Than Anything Else 1. Comparing and contrasting chart

The Legend of the Bluebonnet 1. Create a flower with a legend to go with

it

Papa’s Mark 1. Class election with ballots

The Always Prayer Shawl 1. Family Momentum show and tell

Coal Mine Peaches 1. Draw a picture of their grandfather and

write a poem to go with it

Genre: Fantasy


Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type 1. Friendly letter

Frog and Toad Together: The Garden 1. Plant a seed/measure each day and keep

track in a journal

Frog and Toad Together: A List 1. Create their own to-do lists and reflect

on them

What Was I Scared Of? 1. Short story about something they were

scared of and how they overcame it

Too Close Friends 1. Create a short script about having a

conflict and how to resolve it

Genre: Realistic Fiction


We’ll Paint the Octopus Red 1. Kickball, cooperating while having

“disabilities

The Hard-Times Jar 1. Students will have their own savings jar

to save for school necessities

Rondo in C 1. Play “Rondo in C” for the students and

have them paint what they envision

while listening to it

The Pain and the Great One 1. Create a book telling one story from two

points of view

Jingle Dancer 1. Each student will do an interpretive

dance to powwow music

Genre: Historical Fiction


Uncle Jed’s Barbershop 1. Create a mobile over the Great

Depression

America’s White Table 1. Create a Veteran’s Day wall and set up

our own white table in the class

Coming on Home Soon 1. Write a research paper over the role of

women during World War II

Working Cotton 1. Create a timeline

Don’t You Know There’s A War On? 1. Create a petition about a cause

Genre: Non-fiction

TITLE OF BOOK ACTIVITY

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers 1. Create a memorial poster of the Twin

Towers

What to Do About Alice 1. Write a week’s worth of diary entries

Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln 1. Write a speech and present it to the class

Sarah Morton’s Day 1. Fill out a chart of all the things Sarah

does in a day and glue it next to the

chart of all the things the students do in

a day/ observing the difference of roles

between settlers and now

The Journey 1. Students will write a newspaper article

Genre: 5 your choice

TITLE OF BOOK ACTIVITY

Stellaluna 1. Write their own alternate ending to the

story

Pink and Say 1. Students will color in a US map labeling

which states were North and which were

South during the Civil War

Dog Ku 1. Create a bookmark

Smith’s Incredible Storybook 1. Create a book sleeve

Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That

Make My Day

1. Play emotions charades and have a class

discussion over what could cause each

emotion

Shaina Clark

EDUC 340

Professor Heather Schilling

6 May 2011

Trade Books 1: Multicultural and Fantasy

Title of book: More Than Anything Else

Author’s name: Marie Bradby

Copyright year: 1995

Genre: Multicultural

Number of pages: 29

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

More Than Anything Else is a book about a young African American male who wants to

learn how to read. In his town, people may now come and go but reading is scarce. He tells his

mother he wants to learn how to read and she gives him a small blue book. When the boy gets

home from working all day, he studies his book. Although he studies his book, he cannot learn to

read on his own and seeks out a man who knows how to read. This man reads the book to this

young boy and teaches him how to write his name. The boy is full of hope at the end and it is

revealed to the reader that this boy is Booker T. Washington.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/83839.aspx Margo Dill

Students will make a chart comparing and contrasting their life to Booker T.

Washington’s.

English 3.4.2 Discuss ideas for writing, use diagrams and charts to develop ideas, and

make a list or notebook of ideas. (Core Standard)

Title of book: The Legend of the Bluebonnet

Author’s name: Tomie DePaola



Number of pages: 27

http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/83839.aspx

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

The Legend of the Bluebonnet is about a little girl with the name of She-Who-Is-Alone.

She-Who-Is-Alone’s Indian tribe is struggling sue to a very long drought. Her villagers pray to

the spirits and do rain dances for many days and yet the rain does not come. She-Who-Is-Alone

has a very special warrior doll that is the only thing left as a memory of her family. The Shaman

told the people that they must have a sacrifice, burning their most valuable possessions in order

for the spirits to bring the rain. She-Who-Is-Alone knew what she must do and later that night

she sacrificed her doll and spread the ashes. The next day the land was covered in blue flowers,

as blue as the feathers on her warrior doll, and as the people began to dance and sing, the rain

began to fall. After the rain fell, a beautiful flower appeared.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/blueb.html

Using colored paper and glue, students will create their own flower. Then, students will

create a mini-legend about how their flower came to be and name it. Then, students will

verbally present their flower and legend to the class.

English 2.7.5 Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication: Organize presentations

to maintain a clear focus. (Core Standard)

Title of book: Papa’s Mark

Author’s name: Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert



Number of pages: 30

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Papa’s Mark is set in Lamar County where Simms and his father live. Lamar County was

making history in this story by allowing “colored men” to vote. Although there was a problem,

Simms’ father could not write his name. Simms really wanted his father to be able to clearly

write his name so that he could stand proud as he voted on Election Day. So, Simms wrote out

his father’s name on a piece of paper perfectly so that his Dad could copy it and would help him

practice every night. Many of the African American men were scared to vote, yet many of them

went anyway. Simms’ father proudly wrote his name clearly and he and Simms turned the ballot

in together happily because of the new freedom in Lamar County.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of Activity: www.lesliepreddy.com/YHBA/06-07/Picture%20Book/Papa-

Gehm.doc

http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/blueb.html

http://www.lesliepreddy.com/YHBA/06-07/Picture%20Book/Papa-Gehm.doc

http://www.lesliepreddy.com/YHBA/06-07/Picture%20Book/Papa-Gehm.doc

The students will hold a class election where each student will cast a ballot. After voting,

students will help calculate the results.

Math 1.6.4 Make precise calculations and check the validity of the results in the context

of the problem.

Title of book: The Always Prayer Shawl

Author’s name: Sheldon Oberman



Number of pages: 32

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

The Always Prayer Shawl is about Adam, a young Jewish boy who lived in Russia. Adam

attended a small school at his grandfather’s house, where he learned to read and write in Hebrew

and learned stories about his people. Adam’s life was turned upside down when trouble came to

Russia and people were starving and soldiers were fighting. Adam’s family decided it was best to

leave and go far away but his grandfather could not go because he was too old. Adam cried due

to the departing of his grandfather, but his grandfather gave him his very special prayer shawl

that was passed down from his grandfather. Adam and his family traveled far on a ship and

moved to a country where he lived in an apartment and learned English in school. As Adam grew

up and his life changed, he always wore the prayer shawl every Saturday, fixing it when it was

worn and torn, until the day he passed it on to his own grandson.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Shaina Clark

Students will bring a family momentum to school for show and tell. Students will have to

describe the item, the item’s purpose, and why it is special to his/her family.

English 1.7.10 Use visual aids, such as pictures and objects, to present oral information.

Title of book: Coal Mine Peaches

Author’s name: Michelle Dionetti



Number of pages: 29

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Coal Mine Peaches is a book where a little girl tells the reader about the life and stories

of her grandfather that was a link between her family and their Italian culture. The little girl’s

grandfather lived in a small coal-mining town as a boy and when he grew up he moved to New

York. Her grandfather was always entertaining everyone he came into contact with by telling

them lots of stories, including his coworkers as they built the Brooklyn Bridge. Her grandfather

married a beautiful quiet girl named Victoria and they had many children, lived on a farm, and

were poor. As his children grew up, they had their own children and they always came to visit,

which is how his granddaughter came to love him and the stories he could tell. When her

grandfather told her stories, she always believed him.

ACTIVITY:


Have the students draw a picture of their grandfather and write a poem to go with it. The

poem should have strong details that enhance the drawing and the visual of the

grandfather. If students do not have a grandfather, then they can choose an older role

model.

English 2.5.4 Write rhymes and simple poems. (Core Standard)

Title of book: Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

Author’s Name: Doreen Cronin


Genre: Fantasy

Number of pages: 29

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type is a story about Farmer Brown and some animals that

live on his farm. Farmer Brown has some very unique cows that can type. Farmer Brown had a

difficult time believing that his cows were truly typing until he seen with his own eyes. Farmer

Brown’s cows would type letters to him making requests, and if the requests were not answered

then they refused to give milk. The cows even got the hens in on the demands while the ducks

were supposed to remain neutral. Farmer Brown thought that he had come to a compromise with

the animals when the ducks decided that, they too would like some benefits!

ACTIVITY:


Students will type a letter to Farmer Brown pretending to be an animal. The students may

choose any animal that could live on a farm. The students must make some request of the

farmer and threaten to take away something if the farmer does not give in to their

demand. In the letter the students must have the date, a proper greeting, body of the letter

and closing, and a proper signature.

English 2.5.3 Write a friendly letter complete with the date, salutation (greeting such as

Dear Mr. Smith), body, closing, and signature.

Title of book: Frog and Toad Together: The Garden

Author’s name: Arnold Lobel


Genre: Fantasy

Number of pages: 12

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

In the story Frog and Toad Together: The Garden, Frog and Toad are best friends, and

Frog has a very beautiful garden and Toad wishes that he could have one. So, Frog gives Toad

some seeds to take home and plant in the ground. Toad went home and planted his seed but he

was impatient and wanted them to grow right away. Therefore, Toad yells at the seeds telling

them to grow. When that does not work, Toad does other things for his seeds such as read to

them, sing to them, and play music for them. The seeds still did not grow and Toad became

frustrated and fell asleep. The next day Frog wakes Toad up to see that his garden had finally

sprouted.

ACTIVITY:


Each student will get to plant a seed in a little cup. Each day the students will water their

plants and keep a journal, recording what they observe and asking questions. They also

need to record what activities they do with their plants, such as talk to them or read to

them. They need to discuss each day how the plant looks different and measure it. The

student just writes a few sentences in their journal each day and turns it in every Friday.

The teacher then tries to answer some of their questions and then returns them on

Monday. At the end of four weeks, each student will present their plant to the class,

discuss why they think their plant grew the way that it did, and discuss some of their

questions with the class.

The Nature of Science and Technology 1.1 Students are actively engaged in exploring

how the world works. They explore, observe, count, measure, compare, and ask

questions. They discuss observations and use tools to seek answers and solve problems.

They share their findings.

Title of book: Frog and Toad Together: A List

Author’s name: Arnold Lobel


Genre: Fantasy

Number of pages: 14

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Frog and Toad Together: A List is a story about a Toad who creates a list of items that he

needs to do for the day. As Toad accomplishes an item on his list, he crosses it out. Of course

multiple items on his list include his best friend Frog. Frog and Toad go for a walk, and when

Toad reaches for his list to cross that item off, the wind blows his list away. Frog chases the list

because Toad feels lost without it, but he cannot catch it. Toad decides to do nothing since he no

longer knows what is on his list, until it is so late that he and frog have to sleep. Finally, he

remembers that sleep was on his list and he then felt the day was complete.

ACTIVITY:


The students will create their own to-do lists for the upcoming Saturday. Students will

then have to cross items off of the list as they do them. Then, on Monday they are

expected to bring their lists back and have a discussion with the class on different

questions such as “Did they do everything on their list? Did they do everything in the

correct order? Did they need to add items to the list? Would they have been lost like Toad

without the list?”

English 1.5.5 Write for different purposes and to a specific audience or person. (Core

Standard)

Title of book: Too Close Friends

Author’s name: Shen Roddie


Genre: Fantasy

Number of pages: 24

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Hippo and Pig were neighbors and good friends. They took turns spending time at each

other’s houses and doing different activities. One day Hippo decides that he would be nice and

cut down the hedge in between his and Pig’s house. Since the hedge was gone, Pig and Hippo

could see into each other’s houses, discovering that each of them had some habits that the other

did not like. Due to witnessing each other’s habits and getting into an argument, Hippo and Pig

stop seeing each other. Although as the hedge grew back, Pig and Hippo missed each other too

much and became friends again.

ACTIVITY:


The students will be split into partners. Students will together create a short script of

having some sort of conflict and then resolving it. Students will later role play this script

for the class.

Fine Arts: Theatre 1.6 Students create scripts and theatre pieces through collaboration,

inquiry, and improvisation.

Title of book: What Was I Scared of?

Author’s name: Dr. Seuss


Genre: Fantasy

Number of pages: 23

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

The main character in the book What Was I Scared of? thought that he was not afraid of

anything. Then, one night he saw a pale green pair of pants. These pants were walking on their

own with nobody inside them. This frightened the character and he ran away from the pants.

After that night, he seen the empty pants several other times: on a bicycle, in a boat, and in a

Snide-field. Finally, the character and the pants met face to face and he realized that the pants

were just as scared as he. He decides to talk to the pants and then they became friends, and from

then on when they seen each other they always said hi.

ACTIVITY:


Students write a short story about something they were scared of and how they overcame

that fear or plant to overcome that fear. The stories must have topic sentences and details.

English 3.4.3 Create single paragraphs with topic sentences and simple supporting facts

and details. (Core Standard)

Trade Books 2: Realistic and Historical Fiction

Title of book: We’ll Paint the Octopus Red

Author’s name: Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen



Number of pages: 22

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Emma is a little girl who is told by her parents that she will soon have a little brother or

sister. At first, Emma is not too excited that she will have a sibling because she enjoys having her

mom and dad all to herself. Then, Emma thinks of all the things that she can do with her new

sibling and she becomes excited. When the baby is born, her dad tells her that she has a little

baby brother but that he has Down Syndrome. Emma wants to know if she can still do all the

things with her little brother that she had planned? After discussing this with her father, Emma

realizes that her little brother can do everything that everyone else can do, he may just need a

little more help.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Staff at Camp Millhouse

We will go over the similarities and differences between people with and without

disabilities. We will discuss how people who have differences can still play just like

everyone else, but they may just need more help. Then, we will play a kickball game

where some students have disabilities and others do not. The teacher can use bandanas to

demonstrate certain disabilities. We will talk about how the disabilities will affect the

game and how we have to help one another in order to succeed as a team.

Physical Education K.5.3 Show a positive attitude toward self and others during

physical activity. Example: Exercise alone and exercise with other children in which

differences exist (e.g., ability, race, gender, and socioeconomic status).

Physical Education K.5.4 Demonstrate respect for other children in physical education

class

Title of book: The Hard-Times Jar

Author’s name: Ethel Footman Smothers



Number of pages: 30

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Emma Turner is a little girl who loves books. Emma’s parents are migrant workers and

they do not have a lot of money. Emma’s family has a “hard-times” jar where they save their

money for a rainy day when they need it. Emma had always helped her family pick crops, but her

mom decided she needed to start going to school. At Emma’s school, she gets introduced to the

library. At the library, Emma can read all the books she wants, but she is not supposed to take

any home. Emma decided to take two books home, hoping that nobody would notice. Emma’s

mom caught her, and she had to return the books and apologize to her teacher. Since Emma did

the right thing, her mother gave her some money from the hard-times jar so that she could go buy

a book of her very own.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Shaina Clark/Sarah Louvier

I will give each student a “hard-times" jar in the classroom. We will discuss how people

have these types of jars because of scarcity. The students will be able to earn fake money

for good behavior, doing class jobs, etc. Then, every two weeks we will have a little store

that will sell necessary school items such as pencils, rulers, erasers, pens, books, paper,

etc.

Social Studies/Economics K.4 .1 Explain that people work to earn money to buy the

things they want. (Core Standard)

Social Studies/Economics 1.4.5 Explain that people have to make choices about goods

and services because of scarcity.

Title of book: Rondo in C

Author’s name: Paul Fleischman



Number of pages: 26

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Rondo in C is about a young girl who plays Beethoven’s Rondo in C at her piano recital.

This is a beautiful piece that brings about a different emotional response for each person in the

audience, which music often can do. A woman thinks of her old home, while a man thinks of

flying geese. Another person sees sunlight on the water, while a man can envision lightning and

hear the roar of thunder. No matter the memories that the piece brings, all in the end enjoy the

young girl’s performance of Rondo in C.

ACTIVITY:


After reading the story Rondo in C, I will play the song Rondo in C and have the students

paint what they envision while the music is playing. When the paintings are done and

dry, I will have each student discuss what they envisioned while listening to the song and

what they painted.

Fine Arts: Music. RESPONDING TO MUSIC: Understanding relationships between

music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. K.8. Students express musical

concepts in non-musical ways. They describe the use of music in various school

activities.

Title of book: The Pain and the Great One

Author’s name: Judy Blume



Number of pages: 29

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

In The Pain and the Great One, there are two viewpoints of the story; the “pain” who is

the little brother, and the “great one” who is the older sister. First, the older sister tells examples

of how her little brother is the pain. For example, she discusses how her parents are unfair when

it comes to him and he gets dessert even when he does not eat his dinner. Next, the little brother

talks about his older sister, giving reasons of why she is the “great one.” For example, he says

she thinks she is so great just because she can play the piano and feed the cat. From both points

of view, the brother and the sister both believe that their parents like one more than the other.

ACTIVITY:


Students will create a small book telling one story from two points of view. Both points

of view need to be written to the same audience and should include some persuasion. For

example, in the book The Pain and the Great One, the boy and the girl were both trying

to argue why one was better than the other.

English/Language Arts. Writing: Applications 4.5.6 Write for different purposes

(information, persuasion, description) and to a specific audience or person. (Core

Standard)

Title of book: Jingle Dancer

Author’s name: Cynthia Leitich Smith



Number of pages: 27

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Jenna is a little girl who loves jingle dancing. Jingle dancing is a tradition that is

displayed by the many generations of women in her family. Jenna decides that she wants to be a

jingle dancer too. Jenna tells her grandma, and she agrees that Jenna can dance at the next

powwow. Now that Jenna can dance at the next powwow, she has to figure out how to make her

dress jingle since there is not enough time to order them. Through the help of her family, Jenna

borrows some jingles from each of their dresses. In the end, Jenna dances at the powwow in

honor of all her family members who helped her, some of whom can no longer dance for

themselves.

ACTIVITY:


Each student will do an interpretive dance segment to traditional powwow music which

will have a steady rhythm and beat. Each student will say who they are dancing for

before they dance.

Fine Arts. RESPONDING TO MUSIC: Understanding music in relation to history and

culture. K.9.2 Experience music from various historical eras and cultures through

singing, listening, or moving.

Title of book: Uncle Jed’s Barbershop

Author’s name: Margaree King Mitchell



Number of pages: 28

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Sarah Jean is a little African American girl who loved her uncle Jed. Uncle Jed was Sarah

Jean’s grandpa’s brother, and he had a dream to someday have his very own barber shop. Uncle

Jed had been saving money for a long time, but then Sarah Jean got sick and he gave the money

for her to have an operation. Years later, he almost had enough money but then the Great

Depression began, the bank failed, and Uncle Jed lost all his money and had to start all over

again. Uncle Jed kept saving, and on his seventy-ninth birthday, he finally was able to open his

barber shop.

ACTIVITY:


Students will do research over the Great Depression and create a mobile with their

information. Their mobile will have to include: when the Great Depression started, when

it ended, and why did it happen. The mobile will also have to have pictures.

Social Studies 4.1.11 Growth and Development: 1900 to 1950. Identify and describe

important events and movements that changed life in Indiana in the early twentieth

century. (Core Standard)

Title of book: America’s White Table

Author’s name: Margot Theis Raven



Number of pages: 30

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

During the time of the Vietnam War, the “white table” served as a symbol of people in

the service who were missing in war or were held as prisoners. Katie, her mom, and her sisters

set a white table on Veteran’s Day as a surprise for her uncle John. As they set the white table,

Katie’s mom tells them the significance of each item that completes the table. After the table is

finished, Katie’s mom shares with them how important the table will be for Uncle John because

he was once a prisoner of war in Vietnam. This story inspired Katie and her sisters, so they made

special gifts of their own for Uncle John and placed them on the white table.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=48912

After I read the book, we will discuss the meaning of the story. Then, we will set up a

white table in front of our classroom. Our class will also create a Veteran's Day Wall

listing community figure’s services and their relationship to each child.

English/Language Arts 2.3.7 Identify the meaning or lesson of a story. (Core Standard)

Title of book: Coming On Home Soon

Author’s name: Jacqueline Woodson



Number of pages: 29

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Ada Ruth is a little girl who is growing up during World War II. Since the men are at

war, women have to go to work. Ada Ruth’s mother gets a job in Chicago and leaves, while Ada

is forced to stay behind with her grandmother. Ada and her grandmother miss her mother very

much and they feel lonely without her. Although Ada is lonely, she finds things that help her,

such as a small kitten and writing letters to her mom. Finally, Ada and her grandmother are

happy because they receive a letter from Ada’s mom that had money in it and said she was

coming home soon, and so she did.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea:

http://www.state.lib.la.us/empowerlibrary/COMING%20ON%20HOME%20SOON.pdf

The students will write a short research paper over the role of women during World War

II and their struggles they went through and the hardships of their families.

4.5.3 Research Application: Write or deliver a research report that has been developed

using a systematic research process (defines the topic, gathers information, determines

credibility, reports findings) and that:

• includes information from a variety of sources (books, technology, multimedia) and

documents sources (titles and authors)

• demonstrates that information that has been gathered has been summarized.

• organizes information by categorizing it into multiple categories (such as solid, liquid,

and gas or reduce, reuse, and recycle) or includes information gained through

observation. (Core Standard)

Title of book: Working Cotton

Author’s name: Sherley Anne Williams



Number of pages: 26

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Shelan is a young girl who spends all day picking cotton in the fields with her family. It

is dark in the morning when Shelan and her family begin, and it is dark when they leave at night.

Shelan meets people in the fields, but it is hard to make friends since they move from field to

field. Shelan is not old enough to hold her own cotton sack, so she only helps her other family

members pick and add to their sacks. Shelan is amazed at how fast her dad can pick, and she

hopes to someday pick as fast as him. The more cotton her family picks, the more money they

receive.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: http://www.bringinghistoryhome.org/assets/bringinghistoryhome/3rd-

grade/unit-2/3_seg_lesson_plans.pdf

After reading Working Cotton, we will have a discussion about what happened between

the end of the Civil War to the end of the Civil Rights Movement. Then, students will do

research and create a timeline of important dates and events from the end of the Civil

War to the end of the Civil Rights movement.

Social Studies 4.1.12 Growth and Development: 1900 to 1950. Describe the

transformation of Indiana through immigration and through developments in agriculture,

industry and transportation. (Core Standard)

Social Studies 4.1.13 Contemporary Indiana: 1950 - Present. Identify and describe

important events and movements that changed life in Indiana from the mid- twentieth

century to the present. (Core Standard) Example: The civil rights movement and school

integration in Indiana; Indiana's participation in the Korean War; Asian and Hispanic

immigration; and growth in advanced manufacturing and the life sciences industry.

Title of book: Don’t You Know There’s a War On?

Author’s name: Avi



Number of pages: 201

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

This book is about Howie and his friend Denny during the World War II era. The setting

of this story is in Brooklyn, New York. Howie’s father is a marine fighting against the Nazi’s

ships. Denny’s father is in the army battling Nazi’s in North Africa. Denny and Howie deal with

their fears about the war by going to cheap movies on Saturdays and school during the week. The

boys have a teacher, Miss Gossim, that they like very much and get attached to. Although, later

Miss Gossim is under threat of being fired and the boys and the rest of their class want to make

sure that does not happen. But, in the end, Miss Gossim must leave and one of the boys’ fathers

dies in the war.

ACTIVITY:


Students will write their own petition about an issue that is important to them. They will

gather as many signatures from people who agree with them as they can. Students will

then present their petition ideas to the class.

Social Studies 4.2.7 Roles of Citizens: Use a variety of information resources to take a

position or recommend a course of action on a public issue relating to Indiana's past or

present.

Trade Books 3: Non-fiction and Choice

Title of book: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Author’s name: Mordicai Gerstein


Genre: Non-Fiction

Number of pages: 34

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Phillipe Petit was a French aerialist. Phillipe began as a street performer. He could juggle,

throw fiery torches, walk and dance on a tightrope, and ride a unicycle. Phillipe decided he really

wanted to walk on a tightrope between the two towers in New York, but the police said no.

Therefore, Phillipe secretly dressed as a construction worker and prepared the tight wire between

the two towers. When the sun came up, Phillipe walked the wire between the two towers and

after that, he performed many more times between the two towers.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Half of the idea from

http://www.liveoakmedia.com/client/guides/94258.pdf / The other half from Shaina Clark

Teacher will do a mini-lesson about the World Trade Center and the Twin Towers.

Students will then create memorial posters of the Twin Towers. Students will each

present their posters to the class, discussing why they portrayed the Twin Towers as they

did, and whatever other words, terms, or pictures they may have drawn. Class will then

have discussions over each poster.

Visual Literacy 2.4.2 Respond to art based on personal preference and actively listen to

others, recognizing that people have different preferences.

Title of book: What to Do About Alice

Author’s name: Barbara Kerley


Genre: Non-Fiction

Number of pages: 42

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Alice Lee Roosevelt was Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter. Alice was what Theodore

called a “Running Riot.” Alice’s mother died two days after she was born, and her father got re-

married and had more children. Alice loved new experiences and traveling, where she could “eat

up the world.” Alice was homeschooled, and while growing up she had to wear braces on her

legs. As Alice grew, the braces came off, she learned to ride a bicycle, and she felt that she was

free. Alice was adventurous and did not behave as a “proper” lady should, causing her problems.

This book is all about Alice, and shows how she charmed many and was beyond her time.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Emily Katona

Students will write a week’s worth of diary entries, once day, pretending to be Alice.

English Language Arts: 3.2.9 Identify text that uses sequence or other logical order

(alphabetical, time, categorical).

Title of book: Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln

Author’s name: Jean Fritz

http://www.liveoakmedia.com/client/guides/94258.pdf%20/


Genre: Non-Fiction

Number of pages: 48

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Abraham Lincoln is a very famous man in history. Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln is a

book that talks about Abraham Lincoln’s busy life. He was president of the United States. He

was a key figure in the Civil War, believing slaves should be free. He was an honest man and

cared for all people. He took time to shake hands and write letters to people who wrote him. Abe

Lincoln even made extra time for his children, especially his son Tad. After the war was finally

over, he wanted to honor all the soldiers who had died. This is how he came to write the

Gettysburg Address.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: www.westonwoods.scholastic.com

Students will write their own speech to present to class about what they would have

written in honor of the soldier.

English Language Arts: 2.7.6 Speak clearly and at an appropriate pace for the type of

communication (such as an informal discussion or a report to class).

Title of book: Sarah Morton’s Day

Author’s name: Kate Waters


Genre: Non-Fiction

Number of pages: 31

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Sarah Morton is a real girl who grew up in the American Settlement time. Sarah’s day

begins when the sun rises. She does work around the farm, helping cooks, building fires, and

feeding the animals. She has a best friend named Elizabeth, and she is adjusting to a new

stepfather. She gets to learn, even though most other girls do not. Sarah shows how life was

during the time of the pilgrims.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: http://www.edwardscape.com/members/american/pilgrimkids.pdf

Students will fill out a chart putting in order the events of Sarah’s day. Then, students

will fill out the same chart listing typical events of their own day. Then, students will cut

out both charts and paste them side by side in order to help them observe the difference

http://www.westonwoods.scholastic.com/

http://www.edwardscape.com/members/american/pilgrimkids.pdf

between the time of the pilgrims and now. Then, have a class discussion with the students

of why roles now are so different then the roles of the early settlers.

Social Studies 3.1.2 Explain why and how the local community was established and

identify its founders and early settlers. (Core Standard)

Title of book: The Journey

Author’s name: Sheila Hamanaka


Genre: Non-Fiction

Number of pages: 39

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

The Journey shows the difference between America and Japan. The author shows how

Japanese immigrants were treated in America. Racism is a major theme in this book. The author

discusses Pearl Harbor and how Japanese people were imprisoned in America and put into

internment camps. The author talks about how her family was imprisoned and the many Japanese

American lives that were lost.

ACTIVITY:


Students will write a newspaper article that is set during the World War II time period

about internment camps.

English Language Arts: 4.4.8 Understand the organization of almanacs, newspapers,

and periodicals and how to use those print materials. (Core Standard)

Title of book: Stellaluna

Author’s name: Janell Cannon


Genre: Fiction

Number of pages: 42

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Stellaluna is a baby silver fruit bat who gets separated from her mother. After she

separates from her mother in mid-air, she falls into a baby bird’s nest. Stellaluna does not want to

be alone, so she behaves as the baby birds do. Stellaluna eats disgusting bugs, she no longer

hangs by her feet, and she is awake during the day and sleeps at night. When Stellaluna and her

bird friends learn to fly, Stellaluna realizes that she can fly at night, but the baby birds cannot.

This is how Stellaluna gets separated from her bird friends and ends up hanging all alone.

Although, Stellaluna is not alone for long when she meets some bats just like her and is finally

reunited with her mother.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: www.readwritethink.org

Students will write their own alternate ending to Stellaluna.

Language Arts: 2.3.3 Create different endings to stories and identify the problem and

the impact of the different ending.

Title of book: Pink and Say

Author’s name: Patricia Palocco



Number of pages: 44

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Sheldon Curtis, also known as Say, is a young boy who is wounded trying to escape from

his unit during the Civil War. Say is saved by a young black man, Pinkus “Pink” Aylee, who

carries him to his mother’s house. Pink’s mother, Moe Moe Bay, nurses the boys back to health.

While biding their time, Pink tells Say about why he is fighting in the war, to end the “sickness

of slavery.” Pink also tells Say that he can read, although it was illegal for his master to teach

him, and he spends some time reading to Say and Moe Moe Bay. Eventually, marauders come to

search the area, and kill Moe Moe Bay. After Moe Moe Bay dies, Pink and Say head back to the

war but are captured by the Confederate army. Say survives to pass on the tale, but Pink does

not.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Barbara Dawes http://users.manchester.edu/Student/BEDawes/index.htm

Students and Teacher will have a discussion about the Civil War. Then students will

color in a blank map, coloring the Confederate states gray and the Union states blue by

using the link on the above website. Describe the differences between the North and the

South.

Geography 3.3.11 Environment and Society: Identify and describe the relationship

between human systems and physical systems and the impact they have on each other.

(Core Standard)

Title of book: Dog Ku

Author’s name: Andrew Clements

http://www.readwritethink.org/

http://users.manchester.edu/Student/BEDawes/index.htm


Genre: Poetry/Fiction

Number of pages: 31

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

A stray dog shows up to a house looking for love. The family invites him in. They feed

him, bathe him, and play with him. The family names the dog Mooch. The family leaves, going

to school and work, and Mooch is bored at home all alone. Mooch makes a mess and gets into

trouble. Mooch is scared that he is going to be taken to the pound, but in the end, the family buys

him a bed, bowl, and toys and make him an official part of the family.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Heather Schilling

Students will each create a bookmark for the story DogKu. Students can use both sides of

the bookmark. Bookmark must include the title of the story, the author’s name, and a

picture of a character from the story.

Visual Arts: k.6.4 Demonstrate thoughtfulness and care in creating artwork.

Title of book: Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook

Author’s name: Michael Garland


Genre: Fantasy

Number of pages: 25

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Zack is a second grader who is in Miss Smith’s class. Miss Smith is not like all of the

other teachers; she has a special book that when she reads it all the characters come to life. When

Miss Smith finishes the story, the characters return to the book. Zack and his classmates love this

magical book and school is going well, until the day Miss Smith was running late to class. Since

Miss Smith was running late, the principal decided to read out of the book; this goes horribly

wrong when the characters come out and the principal becomes afraid. He leaves the class alone,

and students keep reading out of the book without finishing the story, causing all the characters

to remain out of the book. Thank goodness in the end Miss Smith gets to class just in time to

send all the characters back where they belong.

ACTIVITY:

Origin of idea: Heather Schilling

Students will create a book sleeve for the story Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook. The

book sleeve must have the title of the book, the author’s name, and a picture that relates

with the book.

Visual Arts: 4.7.1 Apply elements (line, shape, form, texture, color, and space) and

principles (repetition, variety, rhythm, proportion, movement, balance, emphasis) in work

that effectively communicate ideas.

Title of book: Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day

Author’s name: Jamie Lee Curtis


Genre: Fiction

Number of pages: 30

SYNOPSIS OF STORY:

Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day is about a little girl who feels

many different emotions for different reasons. She is silly one day and dresses all up. The next

day she is grumpy when things do not go right. She is angry when her feelings get hurt. She is

happy when she is having fun, and she is confused when things seem wrong. Sometimes she is

quiet and can be excited too. She can also be lonely and bored. This little girl goes through all

her emotions and lets the reader know why she feels that way.

ACTIVITY:


Students will play a game called Emotions Charades. There will be little sheets of paper

in a basket that students will choose the emotions from and then will act it out until a

student guesses it. Then, as a class we will discuss what could have caused that emotion.

Fine Arts: Theatre 1.8.1 Observe and discuss the appearance and characteristics of

people, creatures, and things.

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