Officer Buckle and Gloria byPeggy Rathmann

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; Unknown edition

Awards/Honors: Caldecott Medal Book

Summary: Oficer Buckle goes around the community giving safety speeches. He takes along his partner and friend, Gloria the K-9 dog. At first officer Buckle thinks his speeches are so successful because of him, but soon realizes it is Gloria who is stealing the show. It isn't until an accident happens that Officer Buckle realizes that he is successfully because of his teamwork with Gloria. That seperate they are not successfully but as a team they are able to make a difference.



Personal Rating: ****Good. This book had great pictures and was entertaining. The kids love it!

Curriculum: A great way to introduce this lesson is by asking the children to brainstorm safety rules for school, home, and the community. The students generate a class list of safety tips. You can also have the children brainstorm ideas on the importance of teamwork, times they have been part of a team, and how team work is important.
Character conflict is another skill that can be taught with this lesson. Two characters are in conflict with each other even though they are friends. How do they resolve the conflict and was it handle in the best way.This is a great story to do Reader's Theater with!
Art: Children design their own safety rule poster.
Social Studies: Discuss community helpers (poilice offers especially). Their role in the community. As part of this acitvity I had a police officer and his K-9 dog come to visit.
Social skills: Students act out ways to solve problems such as 2 friend are playing a game. Both want to go first. How would be the best way to solve the problem?
Writing: Write letters to our poilce officers thanking them for the work they do.

Reading level: 3.0
Interest level: K - 3rd
Problems/Difficulties: None