Genre: Historical Fiction
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin, 137 pages
Awards or Honors Received: Newbery Medal
Summary: Ellen and Annemarie are ten year old girls living in Denmark. The German Nazis have occupied their town, forcing Ellen's family to flee. Annemarie's family keeps Ellen, pretending that she is one of their children. Ellen and Annemarie face many different adventures while at Annemarie's Uncle Henrik's house. Uncle Henrik is helping Jews escape to Sweden, and Ellen's family is among those he helps. Ellen is united with her family and they make their way to Sweden where they can live without the Nazi control. Annemarie learns about courage and what it really means to be brave.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good. I really like this book. Some of the topics may be a little hard for students to understand at first, and they take some serious discussion. The story keeps the reader engaged, though, and I think it teaches an important lesson about bravery.
Reading Level: 5.1
Interest Level: 4th -7th grades
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Social Studies: The story is set during WWII, so some background information is needed for students to really understand what is happening. A study into WWII and into the Nazi occupation easily ties into a unit with this book.
Geography: Using a map of Europe, find Denmark and Sweden. Then have students use the details in the book to trace the path of the escaping Jews.
Writing: Have students interview a grandparent, or someone else who lived through WWII. They should prepare questions ahead of time, then write what they learned in interview format. They can share what they learned with the class.
Character Education/Math: Have students create a recipe for peace, courage, or bravery. Have students write an ingredients list, and directions for creating of of the topics. Students can write their work on recipe cards or publish them in a class "cookbook."
Potential Problems or Difficulties: There are some sensitive topics in the story. Students need to understand that not everyone believes the same things, and that what some people think, others may not. Students need some type of historical background to be able to understand some of the events in the story.
Showing posts with label Colleen Witherspoon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colleen Witherspoon. Show all posts
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Yearling (Random House, Inc.) 100 pages
Awards or Honors: Newbery Honor Book
Summary: Ramon, the son of a pearl dealer, begins to help his father in his pearl shop. After learning about selling pearls, Ramon wants to learn to go diving for the oysters with the other men that work for his father. When Ramon's father leaves on business, and Ramon decides it is time to learn how to dive for oysters. A Native American that works with his father agrees to teach Ramon to learn to dive, making sure to stress to him that if he doesn't respect the waters, the Manta Diablo (a giant manta ray) will come for him. Ramon learns to dive, then decides to go out on his own. He finds the largest pearl that has ever been found, the Pearl of Heaven, and finds out that the Manta Diablo is more than just a myth the Native American was telling him. Ramon goes on an adventure trying to get the pearl back to the Manta Diablo before any of the other pearl dealers can steal it from him
Personal rating and reason for rating: ****Great. This book was full of adventure while still teaching an important lesson. It is short enough that even students who do not like to read chapter books can feel successful at reading a novel. Scott O'Dell does a great job at keeping the reader engaged in the story and making it hard to put the book down.
Reading Level: The book says 5.2, AR says 5.4
Interest Level: upper elementary
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Math: Many of the measurements are given in non-standard units. Students can learn about leagues, fathoms, and other units of measure mentioned in the book and how they compare to US customary units and metric units.
Social Studies: The story is set in a seaside village in Baja California. Students can learn about the differences in the culture of the people in the story and their own cultures. They can extend this study by learning about their family's ancestors and completing a family culture project.
Science: The story focuses a lot on the Manta Diablo and other manta rays. There are many different versions of what the Manta Diablo looks like and how it behaves. Students can use the internet to research manta rays and find out which statements about a manta ray could be true and which are false.
Potential Problems: None.
Publishing Info: Yearling (Random House, Inc.) 100 pages
Awards or Honors: Newbery Honor Book
Summary: Ramon, the son of a pearl dealer, begins to help his father in his pearl shop. After learning about selling pearls, Ramon wants to learn to go diving for the oysters with the other men that work for his father. When Ramon's father leaves on business, and Ramon decides it is time to learn how to dive for oysters. A Native American that works with his father agrees to teach Ramon to learn to dive, making sure to stress to him that if he doesn't respect the waters, the Manta Diablo (a giant manta ray) will come for him. Ramon learns to dive, then decides to go out on his own. He finds the largest pearl that has ever been found, the Pearl of Heaven, and finds out that the Manta Diablo is more than just a myth the Native American was telling him. Ramon goes on an adventure trying to get the pearl back to the Manta Diablo before any of the other pearl dealers can steal it from him
Personal rating and reason for rating: ****Great. This book was full of adventure while still teaching an important lesson. It is short enough that even students who do not like to read chapter books can feel successful at reading a novel. Scott O'Dell does a great job at keeping the reader engaged in the story and making it hard to put the book down.
Reading Level: The book says 5.2, AR says 5.4
Interest Level: upper elementary
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Math: Many of the measurements are given in non-standard units. Students can learn about leagues, fathoms, and other units of measure mentioned in the book and how they compare to US customary units and metric units.
Social Studies: The story is set in a seaside village in Baja California. Students can learn about the differences in the culture of the people in the story and their own cultures. They can extend this study by learning about their family's ancestors and completing a family culture project.
Science: The story focuses a lot on the Manta Diablo and other manta rays. There are many different versions of what the Manta Diablo looks like and how it behaves. Students can use the internet to research manta rays and find out which statements about a manta ray could be true and which are false.
Potential Problems: None.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Book Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Publishing Info:
Awards or honors received:
Summary: Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse, knows it is time to move her children to their spring house. One of her sons is very sick, though, and will not be able to move. She decides to ask help from the rats that live in a nearby bush. Once inside their bush, however, Mrs. Frisby realizes that these rats are far from ordinary. They dislike the fact that rats steal everything, so they have developed a plan to be self sufficient and no longer have to steal. The Rats of NIMH learned that this was possible after they escaped from a science lab, where they were taught to read and communicate. Because of their intelligence, the are able to help Mrs. Frisby come up with a plan for how to protect her house and not have to move to the spring house until her son is better.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good. I think this book keeps children wanting to read and it uses their imaginations in a fun way. It can be very long at points, though, which is one downfall.
Reading level: 5.1
Interest level: 3rd grade -6th grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Science- The students can work as the "engineers" that help Mrs. Frisby protect her house. Students will come up with a way to move her house from its current location to the new location behind the rock where it will be safe from the tractor.
Social Studies/Geography: Students can draw and label a map of the Fitzgibbon's farm including the Frisby's current house, their spring hose, the bolder where they move, the rat's bush, etc.
Science- Students will research information about the habitats and niches of mice, then compare them to the habitats and niches of the Frisbys.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: none
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic, Inc. 184 pages
Awards or honors received: Newbery Medal
Summary:
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Great! I think Jerry Spinelli did and excellent job creating a character that was able to chance social prejudices and do it on a kids level. Students will be able to understand that the town in the story is divided and that Maniac's character helps to change that. Students can be inspired to change things in their towns or schools that they know aren't right, even when some people are against what they stand for. The book is entertaining while still teaching about a serious topic.
Reading level: 5.4
Interest level: 4-7 grades
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
Math: Throughout the story Maniac is running. There are several specific times and distances that he runs. Math problems could be created to figure out how far Maniac runs on average each day, how long it would take him to cross North Carolina, and even the country.
Social Studies: Because the topic of segregation is prevalent in the story, students can research racial segregation and integration in the US, in North Carolina, and in our city.
Art: Create a collage that represents all the things that make Maniac a "legend" in Two Mills.
Writing: Maniac learned about life in the past by talking with Grayson (an older man who worked at the zoo). Students can interview a senior citizen about life in the past and write one of their stories to share with the class.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Maniac Magee contains lots of racial issues. Students may become offended at some of the remarks made by some characters. Make sure to explain that at that time, some towns were segregated, and that blacks and whites didn't always like each other simply because of skin color.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Random House Inc., 184 pages
Awards or Honors: Newberry Medal, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, International Board on Books for Young People Honor List, several others
Summary: A young girl, Karana, gets stranded on an island off California's coast during the 1800s. She lives alone on the island for 18 years. While on the island, Karana must find shelter and food, survive a pack of wild dogs, and try to find a way off the island and back to her people. The story focuses on Karana's strength and courage, as well as her creative survival skills. Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on the story of a real girl who was stranded on an island for 18 years.
Personal Rating: **** Great- I love this story and so do my students. They cannot wait to see what is happening next. The students get into the emotions of the characters as well as the events that happen in the book. They have so many great questions to ask while reading the book, and this opens doors to several learning experiences.
Reading Level: 5.5
Interest Level: upper elementary to middle school
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Geography: Students can work on map reading skills as well as map making skills. They can study the islands off California's coast where the real girl was rescued, and then make a map of Karana's island using details from the book.
Science: Weather- students can study natural disasters after reading about the tsunami Karana survives. Force and motion- students can build a raft or boat for Karana to use to get off the island. They must use materials Karana could have found on the island.
Social Studies: Native Americans- Students learn lots of information about Karana's tribe at Ghalas-at. They can compare the native islanders to the Native Americans found in this area (language, food, customs, etc.)
Writing: Interviewing- Students pretend to be Karana or another character from the book. One student acts as a news reporter, asking questions of the other student. Students then switch roles.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Several words are used that have different meanings today (fag, thong, gay), Karana's "pet" dog dies in a dog fight
Publishing Info: Random House Inc., 184 pages
Awards or Honors: Newberry Medal, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, International Board on Books for Young People Honor List, several others
Summary: A young girl, Karana, gets stranded on an island off California's coast during the 1800s. She lives alone on the island for 18 years. While on the island, Karana must find shelter and food, survive a pack of wild dogs, and try to find a way off the island and back to her people. The story focuses on Karana's strength and courage, as well as her creative survival skills. Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on the story of a real girl who was stranded on an island for 18 years.
Personal Rating: **** Great- I love this story and so do my students. They cannot wait to see what is happening next. The students get into the emotions of the characters as well as the events that happen in the book. They have so many great questions to ask while reading the book, and this opens doors to several learning experiences.
Reading Level: 5.5
Interest Level: upper elementary to middle school
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Geography: Students can work on map reading skills as well as map making skills. They can study the islands off California's coast where the real girl was rescued, and then make a map of Karana's island using details from the book.
Science: Weather- students can study natural disasters after reading about the tsunami Karana survives. Force and motion- students can build a raft or boat for Karana to use to get off the island. They must use materials Karana could have found on the island.
Social Studies: Native Americans- Students learn lots of information about Karana's tribe at Ghalas-at. They can compare the native islanders to the Native Americans found in this area (language, food, customs, etc.)
Writing: Interviewing- Students pretend to be Karana or another character from the book. One student acts as a news reporter, asking questions of the other student. Students then switch roles.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Several words are used that have different meanings today (fag, thong, gay), Karana's "pet" dog dies in a dog fight
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Excitement and Concern
I am most excited about learning new ways to integrate children's literature into other subject areas. I think that any time a teacher can incorporate literature into other subject areas, it allows students to better relate to what they are learning.
I am a little concerned about the amount of reading involved. At this time of the year (EOGs, remediation, and end of year activities) I'm spending a lot of time at school and on preparations for my class. I know I'll do the reading, but I'm a little concerned about making the time to do it.
I am a little concerned about the amount of reading involved. At this time of the year (EOGs, remediation, and end of year activities) I'm spending a lot of time at school and on preparations for my class. I know I'll do the reading, but I'm a little concerned about making the time to do it.
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