From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Dell Publishing Company. 159 pages.
Awards or honors received: Newberry Award Winner
Summary: Tired of her routine middle class life and feeling unappreciated as the oldest of four children and the only girl, Claudia Kincaid decides to run away from home. Prefering comfort to nature, she chooses to hide in the Metroplitan Museum of Art and takes one of her younger brothers, Jaime, with her. While hiding in the muesum, the children must stay out of sight of museum guards, learn to take care of themselves, and even investigate whether a mysterious statute had been carved by Michaelangelo. Ultimately the statue leads them to Mrs. Frankweiler (who narrates the story as a letter to her lawyer Saxonberg.). Claudia's quest to learn the truth about the statue provides for her a sense of purpose that she had lacked and leads to Mrs. Frankweiler learning the truth about Claudia and Jaime (that they are Saxonberg's grandchildren).
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good. Interesting, creative story. Characters are realistic and children can relate to the feelings of being overlooked, unappreciated, and the longing for adventure.
Reading level: AR reading level 4.7. Fry reading level grade 7.
Interest level: 3-6
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Students could explore the ideas of familial loyalty, longing for adventure. Students could write about these topics as well as write newspaper articles describing the children's disappearance and/or the mystery of the angel statue. Students could do creative writing describing their own fantasic plan of running away "to" somewhere or could do persuasive writing focused on lobbying a parent for an increased allowance.
In other subject areas, students could take a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or could study about the work of Michaelangelo or could do a more in depth study of the Renaissance.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Vocabulary may be difficult for younger students.
Showing posts with label David Lawson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Lawson. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2009
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Book Genre: Historical fiction
Publishing Info: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. Copyright 1989, 137 pages.
Awards or honors received: Newberry Medal Winner
Summary: Annemarie and her best friend Ellen Rosen are young teenagers in Nazi occupied Denmark. Having lived several years under the Nazi regime, the girls take for granted the presence of the occupying troups until the Nazis begin intensifying their persecution of Jews. Realizing the danger, Annemarie's parents decide to help the Rosens escaped Denmark to the freedom of Sweden along with the help of Annemarie's Uncle Henrik. Along the way Annemarie learns more about the Danish Resistance movement, including the truth about her older sister's death. In the end, Annemarie must summon her own courage to confront the Nazi soldiers and help save her friend's life.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Great! As a fan of history, I think this story stays true to historical fact while portraying a intriguing account from a child's perspective.
Reading level: AR level 4.5. Fry readability level 6
Interest level: 4-7
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Historical tie-ins are fairly obvious. Students might study the countries of modern day Europe and how German forces proceeded across the continent. Students might prepare a timeline of German occupation. There is also a perfect opportunity to compare different types of governments, particularyly American Democracy and Nazi Dictatorship.
Concepts of friendship, loyalty (to friends, family, and country), bravery and patriotism could be explored. Students could write about any of these concepts.
The concept of percentages could be studies with math. Students could calculate the percentage of Jews in Europe, Germany, and various occupied countries. Depending on how you choose to treat the topic, these percentages could be compared before and after the war.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The harsh realities of Nazi Germany are difficult for even adults to deal with and must be dealt with carefully based up on the age of the students. Two instances of Nazi creulty are portrayed with the deaths of Annemarie's sister Lise and Lise's boyfriend Peter Neilsen
Book Genre: Historical fiction
Publishing Info: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. Copyright 1989, 137 pages.
Awards or honors received: Newberry Medal Winner
Summary: Annemarie and her best friend Ellen Rosen are young teenagers in Nazi occupied Denmark. Having lived several years under the Nazi regime, the girls take for granted the presence of the occupying troups until the Nazis begin intensifying their persecution of Jews. Realizing the danger, Annemarie's parents decide to help the Rosens escaped Denmark to the freedom of Sweden along with the help of Annemarie's Uncle Henrik. Along the way Annemarie learns more about the Danish Resistance movement, including the truth about her older sister's death. In the end, Annemarie must summon her own courage to confront the Nazi soldiers and help save her friend's life.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Great! As a fan of history, I think this story stays true to historical fact while portraying a intriguing account from a child's perspective.
Reading level: AR level 4.5. Fry readability level 6
Interest level: 4-7
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Historical tie-ins are fairly obvious. Students might study the countries of modern day Europe and how German forces proceeded across the continent. Students might prepare a timeline of German occupation. There is also a perfect opportunity to compare different types of governments, particularyly American Democracy and Nazi Dictatorship.
Concepts of friendship, loyalty (to friends, family, and country), bravery and patriotism could be explored. Students could write about any of these concepts.
The concept of percentages could be studies with math. Students could calculate the percentage of Jews in Europe, Germany, and various occupied countries. Depending on how you choose to treat the topic, these percentages could be compared before and after the war.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The harsh realities of Nazi Germany are difficult for even adults to deal with and must be dealt with carefully based up on the age of the students. Two instances of Nazi creulty are portrayed with the deaths of Annemarie's sister Lise and Lise's boyfriend Peter Neilsen
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Book Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Publishing Info: Harper and Row Publishing Company, 1945, 131 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: Stuart Little is born a mouse to a human family. Stuart is raised and loved as a son by the Little family and is only conflict is with the family pet cat Snowbell. Things change when Stuart meets and falls in love with a bird named Margallo. Margallo disappears after recieving an anonymous note warning of danger in the form of a stray cat. Devastated by the loss of his love interest, Stuart decides to take the opportunity to make his own way in the world and leaves his family home to search for Margallo. Throughout his search, Stuart is sidetracked as other opportunities present themselves and he takes the time to serve as a substitute teacher and pursue the diminutive Harriet Ames. When things fall apart with Ms. Ames, Stuart once more takes to the road and ends his adventures by heading north, pursuing Margallo.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good story, interesting, engaging plot. Students will become involved with amusing adventures.
Reading level: AR Level 6.0
Interest level: Grade 3-6
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Stuart's relative size presents huge problems. Students could study ratios in math and the concepts of scale modeling.
In science students could study predator/prey relationships as it relates to cats and birds as well as cats and mice. Furthermore they could consider whether, given the relationship of predator and prey a mouse would likely fall in love with a bird.
The story is set approxiametely 60 years ago. In social studies students could compare how aspects of society (prices, culture, transportation, educational practices) have changed from then to now.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Characters and situations are realistic. So long as you are willing to suspend your disbelief in regards to a personified mouse, there should be no real difficulties with this story.
Book Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Publishing Info: Harper and Row Publishing Company, 1945, 131 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: Stuart Little is born a mouse to a human family. Stuart is raised and loved as a son by the Little family and is only conflict is with the family pet cat Snowbell. Things change when Stuart meets and falls in love with a bird named Margallo. Margallo disappears after recieving an anonymous note warning of danger in the form of a stray cat. Devastated by the loss of his love interest, Stuart decides to take the opportunity to make his own way in the world and leaves his family home to search for Margallo. Throughout his search, Stuart is sidetracked as other opportunities present themselves and he takes the time to serve as a substitute teacher and pursue the diminutive Harriet Ames. When things fall apart with Ms. Ames, Stuart once more takes to the road and ends his adventures by heading north, pursuing Margallo.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good story, interesting, engaging plot. Students will become involved with amusing adventures.
Reading level: AR Level 6.0
Interest level: Grade 3-6
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Stuart's relative size presents huge problems. Students could study ratios in math and the concepts of scale modeling.
In science students could study predator/prey relationships as it relates to cats and birds as well as cats and mice. Furthermore they could consider whether, given the relationship of predator and prey a mouse would likely fall in love with a bird.
The story is set approxiametely 60 years ago. In social studies students could compare how aspects of society (prices, culture, transportation, educational practices) have changed from then to now.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Characters and situations are realistic. So long as you are willing to suspend your disbelief in regards to a personified mouse, there should be no real difficulties with this story.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
Book Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Publishing Info: Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1975, 144 pages
Awards or honors received: NA
Summary: A young girl Winnie meets a family who has obtained immortality by consuming the water of a hidden spring in the woods. The family having not aged in over 200 years reflects on how times have changed. The family patriarch in particular has come to see this immortality as as not a blessing but a curse and bemoans that fact that he is unable to die, going so far as to attempt at various times over the years to take his life. The family takes to Winnie, particularly, the oldest son who sees Winnie as a potential mate, and offers to grant her immortality by allowing her to drink from the spring. In the end Winnie must weigh the consequences of her decision.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good, an interesting perspective on a subject, immortality, that most have considered at some point in their lives.
Reading level: AR level 5.0
Interest level: Fifth or Sixth grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Open-mind portraits could be created for Winnie and the Tuck family father.
Debates could be arranged between those in favor or opposed to immortality.
Students could analyze how Winnie changes through this text and how the encounter with the Tuck family influences those changes.
Science could be tied in through the idea of ecological succession as students consider how the woods change over time.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The topic of death may be difficult for some students.
Book Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Publishing Info: Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1975, 144 pages
Awards or honors received: NA
Summary: A young girl Winnie meets a family who has obtained immortality by consuming the water of a hidden spring in the woods. The family having not aged in over 200 years reflects on how times have changed. The family patriarch in particular has come to see this immortality as as not a blessing but a curse and bemoans that fact that he is unable to die, going so far as to attempt at various times over the years to take his life. The family takes to Winnie, particularly, the oldest son who sees Winnie as a potential mate, and offers to grant her immortality by allowing her to drink from the spring. In the end Winnie must weigh the consequences of her decision.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good, an interesting perspective on a subject, immortality, that most have considered at some point in their lives.
Reading level: AR level 5.0
Interest level: Fifth or Sixth grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Open-mind portraits could be created for Winnie and the Tuck family father.
Debates could be arranged between those in favor or opposed to immortality.
Students could analyze how Winnie changes through this text and how the encounter with the Tuck family influences those changes.
Science could be tied in through the idea of ecological succession as students consider how the woods change over time.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The topic of death may be difficult for some students.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Book Genre: Historical Fiction
Publishing Info: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc 1995. 210 pages
Awards or honors received: Coretta Scott King Award, Newberry Honor
Summary: 10 year old Kenny is the middle child of three in a family nicknamed "The Wierd Watsons." Due to his poor vision and his high intellect, Kenny is a social outcast. His older brother Byron on the other hand, having just turned 13 is "officially a teenage juvenile delinquent" and is a god at their school. Kenny has a hard time understanding Byron's actions, actions which often lead to Byron's upsetting his parents. Eventually their parents decide to take Byron to Birmingham to spend the summer with his grandmother and remove him from the negative influences at home in Flint, MI.
In Birmingham, the Watson children experience culture shock particularly when they learn about outhouses. Fiction meets fact on September 15, 1963, when Kenny's younger sister Joetta attends the 16th Street Baptist Church, the church is the target of a Ku Klux Klan bomb which kills four young girls. Kenny believes that in the wreckage of the church he sees the physical embodiment of death, a character he knows as the "Wool Pooh." Kenny had previously met the Wool Pooh during a near-death experience in a whirlpool a few days before (he survives only because Byron arrives in time to defeat the Wool Pooh). Now Kenny feels that he is haunted by this spirit.
Back home in Flint, Kenny becomes reclusive, hiding behind a living room couch in the hopes of encountering some form of magic healing powers. Ultimately a heart to heart talk from Byron convinces Kenny that life must go on and Kenny learns that despite Byron's gruff exterior, he takes his role as big brother seriously and does everything he can to protect both of his younger siblings.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Great. Amusing story with realistic characters and situations. Gives insight into life in working class African American family in the 1960s.
Reading level: AR Level 5
Interest level: Fifth to Seventh Grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Typically I use this text as part of a unit on the Civil Rights movement. I combine this text with historical information of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing.
This text could be used to discuss themes such as identity and the need to belong as well as friendship, family and coming of age. It could also be used to discuss how characters evolve. Open-mind portraits could be created at various points for both Kenny and Byron. Students could also compare life in the 1960s to the present day.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: In order to depict Byron as a juvenile delinquient there are several dialogues that involve foul language.
Book Genre: Historical Fiction
Publishing Info: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc 1995. 210 pages
Awards or honors received: Coretta Scott King Award, Newberry Honor
Summary: 10 year old Kenny is the middle child of three in a family nicknamed "The Wierd Watsons." Due to his poor vision and his high intellect, Kenny is a social outcast. His older brother Byron on the other hand, having just turned 13 is "officially a teenage juvenile delinquent" and is a god at their school. Kenny has a hard time understanding Byron's actions, actions which often lead to Byron's upsetting his parents. Eventually their parents decide to take Byron to Birmingham to spend the summer with his grandmother and remove him from the negative influences at home in Flint, MI.
In Birmingham, the Watson children experience culture shock particularly when they learn about outhouses. Fiction meets fact on September 15, 1963, when Kenny's younger sister Joetta attends the 16th Street Baptist Church, the church is the target of a Ku Klux Klan bomb which kills four young girls. Kenny believes that in the wreckage of the church he sees the physical embodiment of death, a character he knows as the "Wool Pooh." Kenny had previously met the Wool Pooh during a near-death experience in a whirlpool a few days before (he survives only because Byron arrives in time to defeat the Wool Pooh). Now Kenny feels that he is haunted by this spirit.
Back home in Flint, Kenny becomes reclusive, hiding behind a living room couch in the hopes of encountering some form of magic healing powers. Ultimately a heart to heart talk from Byron convinces Kenny that life must go on and Kenny learns that despite Byron's gruff exterior, he takes his role as big brother seriously and does everything he can to protect both of his younger siblings.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Great. Amusing story with realistic characters and situations. Gives insight into life in working class African American family in the 1960s.
Reading level: AR Level 5
Interest level: Fifth to Seventh Grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Typically I use this text as part of a unit on the Civil Rights movement. I combine this text with historical information of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing.
This text could be used to discuss themes such as identity and the need to belong as well as friendship, family and coming of age. It could also be used to discuss how characters evolve. Open-mind portraits could be created at various points for both Kenny and Byron. Students could also compare life in the 1960s to the present day.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: In order to depict Byron as a juvenile delinquient there are several dialogues that involve foul language.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Open-mind portrait
Device for character analysis:
To create:
"1) Make a portrait of the character.
2) Cut out the "portrait" and "thinking" pages.
3) Design the "thinking" pages.
4) Share the completed open-mind portraits" (Text page 449)
Cover page is a drawn picture of face of the character. Subsequent thinking pages are used to show character's thinking during events of the story. All pages are cut to be the shape of the characters head.
To create:
"1) Make a portrait of the character.
2) Cut out the "portrait" and "thinking" pages.
3) Design the "thinking" pages.
4) Share the completed open-mind portraits" (Text page 449)
Cover page is a drawn picture of face of the character. Subsequent thinking pages are used to show character's thinking during events of the story. All pages are cut to be the shape of the characters head.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
EDUC 655
To be perfectly honest, the only thing about this course to which I look forward is concluding it. At this point I do not know if I will be teaching reading next year. (Unfortunately given the budget situation, I will not know the nature of my teaching assignment until August 20). I enjoy reading and enjoy children's literature; however, completing assignments for the purpose of obtaining a degree is nothing to look forward to. Instead I will complete these tasks when I can find the time between jobs and once completed I will be one step closer to concluding this program. Despite tonight's hassles with technology, there is nothing about this course that concerns me as there is no task to perform that I feel is beyond my abilities.
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