Preston Frame
Lit Block (Trade Book Final)
May 4, 2011
Table of Contents
Fantasy Activity
Froggy’s Day with Dad…………………………….Write a paragraph using onomatopoeia words
Duck at the Door……………………………………Create a book called Seasons
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type………………...Type a letter to Farmer Brown
Giggle, Giggle, Quack………………………………Make paper puppets to retell the story
Clifford’s Halloween………………………………..Leaf lesson
Multi-Cultural
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims………..Map of Indian tribe locations
My First American Friend…………………………..Hemisphere and direction
Mom and Dad Don’t Live Together Anymore……...Holiday differences
Country Mouse, City Mouse………………………..Field trip to museum and farm
Up Town……………………………………………Create a song
Realistic Fiction
Alexander and the Terrible,
Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day…………………Write a story using repeated phrases
Birthday Blizzard……………………………………Record weather patterns
Ira Sleeps Over……………………………………...Elements of a story in groups
Goodbye, Max………………………………………Organization/create a newspaper
Oh, What a Thanksgiving……………………………Skit portraying the First Thanksgiving
Historical Fiction Activity
Abe Lincoln and the Muddy Pig……………………………Run mock elections
A Lesson for Martin Luther King Jr………………………..Give a speech
Young Christopher Columbus:
Discoverer of New Worlds……………………………Identify/trace routes taken by Columbus
Salt in His Shoes: Michael
Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream……………………………….Write a book report
The Story of Ruby Bridges…………………………………Point of view scenarios
Non-fiction
You Can’t See Your Bones with Binoculars………………Examine plastic skeleton
Woodwinds………………………………………………..Create musical symphony/rhythm
The Post Office Book: Mail and How it Moves…………...In class post office
How Things Grow, From
Caterpillar to Butterfly…………………………………….Display & flip picture book
A Picture Book of Ben Franklin…………………………...Worksheet using an almanac
Fiction
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie……………………………..Cookie jar math
Leaves………………………………………………………Hibernation list
Caps for Sale (A Tale of a Peddler, Some
Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business)…………………….Create new rhyming section
Gregory the Terrible Eater………………………………….Food pyramid and log sheet
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs…………………….Write a fractured fairy tale
Trade Books
Title: Froggy’s Day with Dad
Author: Jonathan London
Illustrator: Frank Remkiewicz
Copyright Year: 2004
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 27
Summary: This book is about a family of frogs. The mother frog wakes up her son, Froggy. She
reminds him that it is Father’s Day. Froggy makes his dad bed in breakfast to begin the day.
After breakfast, Froggy surprises his dad my taking him to play golf. Before playing golf, they
ride bumper boats and use the batting cages where Froggy always finds a way to mess it up.
They finally play mini golf and Foggy again messes it up by hitting his dad in the head with the
ball. The rest of the round is fun because Froggy jumps in the pond and finds several balls.
When they return home Froggy gives his dad the gift he made at school, a coffee mug reading
“to the best dad I ever had.”
Activity: The person who listed the idea was Megan Sheakoski. The information can be found
at the following website. http://www.suite101.com/content/fathers-day-lesson-plan-and-craft-
a54105
The activity for students to do after reading this book deals with onomatopoeia. Froggy uses
many silly sound words in the story. After reading this book to the class I would have students
write down what might happen at their house on Father’s Day, and have them use their own
onomatopoeia words. I would have students read their paragraph out loud in front of the class
and after each one have them identify the sound words, or onomatopoeia words.
Standards: English/Language Arts 3.7.4- Identify the musical elements of literary language,
such as rhymes, repeated sounds, and instances of onomatopoeia (naming something by using a
sound associated with it, such as hiss or buzz).
Title: Duck at the Door
Author: Jackie Urbanovic
Copyright Year: 2007
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 26
Summary: The story begins inside a quiet house with many different pets, when they hear a
knock at the door in the middle of the night. The animals run to their owner, Irene, to ask her
what to do. She goes to open the door and finds a duck buried in the snow. His name is Max
and he was born in the spring and loved it. He thought he would love winter too and did not fly
south with his flock. Irene takes him in saying it is not so bad with a warm house. He learns
knew things each month, and come March he felt right at home. In April, his flock returned and
Max left. All the pets were lonely while Max was gone. The next winter, Max returns and Irene
and the pets are happy. They ask if he will stay all winter and he replies “yes, me and my flock.”
Activity: This is an original activity.
After reading the story, Duck at the Door, a good activity to have students work on deals with
the seasons. The duck enjoys the spring, and spends his winter with Irene and the other pets.
The activity I would have students work on would be to create a book called Seasons. They
would draw pictures for each season and write what they do during each season. For example,
they could draw a swimming pool for summer and write “In the summer, I go swimming.”
When they are finished I would separate them into groups and have them read their books to
each other.
Standard: Science 2.3.1- Investigate by observing and then describe that some events in nature
have a repeating pattern, such as seasons, day and night, and migrations.
Title: Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Copyright Year: 2000
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 20
Summary: This is one of a series of books written by Doreen Cronin. In this story, Farmer
Brown has a problem. His cows love to type and it is getting on his nerves. One day, he finds a
note from the cows saying they electric blankets because the barn is cold at night. Farmer Brown
does not meet their demands and the next day he finds a note saying they are closed and will not
be giving out milk today. The cows continue to leave notes for the farmer, and other animals
begin to protest and not give out products. Farmer Brown writes to the cows and hens saying
they will not receive electric blankets and demands eggs and milk. He sends a duck, who is
neutral in the standoff, to the barn to give the cows the note. The duck tricks Farmer Brown by
getting the blankets for the animals and takes the typewriter with him to create his own list of
demands.
Activity: This activity was original. There was no outside source.
A great activity to use for this book would be teaching students to type. Teach them how to type
and then have them write their own letter to Farmer Brown. They could chose a different animal
and ask Farmer Brown for their own things.
Standards: English/Language Arts 3.4.5 Use the computer to draft, revise, and publish writing.
Title: Giggle, Giggle, Quack
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Copyright Year: 2002
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 19
Summary: One day Farmer Brown decides to go on vacation. He leaves his farm, along with the
animals, in charge to his brother Bob. Bob is given a list of things to do with the animals on
certain days and is also warned to keep a close eye on Duck because he likes to cause trouble.
Duck ends up replacing the "to do list" with his own. On Tuesday, the duck wrote down that it
was pizza night so the animals had pizza to eat that night. Wednesday was bath day for the pigs
and they were to have a nice bubble bath and to be dried in nice towels. Thursday night was
movie night, and so on. Farmer Brown decides to call home to check up on the animals and he
hears the noise of the animals in the background. Farmer Brown realizes he made a mistake and
comes home early.
Activity: I got this activity online. You can find the information for this activity at
http://supermommytotherescue.com/giggle-giggle-quack-with-activities
After reading this story to children, kids could make paper puppets of the animals in the story.
You could make a cow with a paper plate, and a pig out of a paper bag. They could use these
puppets to retell the story.
Standards: English/Language Arts 2.7.8- Retell stories, including characters, setting, and plot.
Title: Clifford’s Halloween
Author: Norman Bridwell
Copyright Year: 1986
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 30
Summary: Norman Bridwell has written many Clifford the Big Red Dog books. This is just one
in his series. It opens up with a little girl who introduces herself as Emily Elizabeth, who is
excited because it is her favorite day of the year. She introduces her dog Clifford and says it is
his favorite day too. Emily talks about all the holidays and what Clifford does on each one. She
saves the best for last which is Halloween. She talks about what she wore last year, and says
Clifford dressed up as a big ghost. She says they did a lot of different things like trick or treat,
bob for apples and tell ghost stories. This year, Emily is going to be a fairy princess. She asks
about ideas on what Clifford should be.
Activity: This is an original activity.
Describe to students that Halloween is in the fall. Ask what happens during the fall season. For
example, carve pumpkins, leaves fall off trees, etc. In this activity have students bring in
different types of leaves and teach them about each one. They then could draw the leaves on in
their science logs and record important facts about them.
Standards: Science 1.4.2- Observe and describe that there can be differences, such as size or
markings, among the individuals within one kind of plant or animal group.
Title: One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims
Author: Barbara Hennessy
Illustrator: Lynne Cravath
Copyright Year: 1999
Genre: Multi-Cultural
Pages: 20
Summary: This book is very good if you’re teaching counting, and if your teaching about
Thanksgiving. It starts out by counting “one little, two little, three little pilgrims.” It goes on to
count to ten, and does the same for the Indians. It goes on to list the activities each group does.
For example, gathering and hunting. Everyone has a job to do within the group. Once all the
preparation is complete it is time to celebrate. It counts to ten again for the number of turkeys
used for the feast. It goes on to list all the food items eaten at the feast, and shows a picture of
the Pilgrims and Indians sitting together celebrating the holiday.
Activity: This is an original activity.
This would be a great book to use if you were teaching students about Thanksgiving or Indians.
To go along with this book, depending on where you teach, it would probably be more beneficial
to have a lesson on Indians instead of the holiday. For the activity, I would have students use a
computer and find a map of the region where different Indian tribes lived. Have them bring it to
class and discuss what they found.
Standards: Social Studies 3.1.1- Identify and describe Native American Woodland Indians who
lived in the region when European settlers arrived.
Title: My First American Friend
Author: Sarunna Jin
Illustrator: Shirley Beckes
Copyright Year: 1991
Genre: Multi-Cultural
Pages: 13
Summary: This book is about a girl who was born in China. Her parents went to the United
States to study and provide a better life for their family. When the girl is six, she moves to the
U.S. with her parents. She takes a train to Beijing, and then flies to Japan. She flies from Japan
to San Francisco, and San Francisco to New York where she met her parents. She soon starts
first grade but does not speak English. The little girl was sad because no one played with her on
her first day. The next day, a girl named Ali came over at play time to talk with her. From then
on they became best friends and always played together, whether it was outside or inside. At the
end of the year Ali moves away to a new school. The little girl’s English is perfect by third
grade and she makes many new friends, but she will never forget her first American friend.
Activity: This is an original activity.
In this activity, I would have students identify hemispheres and directions. They would use this
information to define where Japan is in relation to the U.S. They then would do this for a variety
of areas.
Standards: Social Studies 3.3.3- Identify the northern, southern, eastern and western
hemispheres; cardinal and intermediate directions; and determine the direction and distance from
one place to another.
Title: Mom and Dad Don’t Live Together Anymore
Author: Kathy Stinson
Illustrator: Nancy Lou Reynolds
Copyright Year: 1984
Genre: Multi-Cultural
Pages: 15
Summary: This book is about a divorced family. A little girl is the main character. She says that
her parents do not live together anymore. The little girl lives with her mom and brother in an
apartment in the city, and they visit their dad on the weekend who lives in the country. They
wish they would all live together because they miss their dad. She likes living with her mom and
dad for different reasons. She asks her dad if he will marry Paula, and asks her mom if when she
gets older that she will get married and then be apart. The girl describes what she did on
vacation with her mom and dad, and wonders what will happen on Christmas. The only thing she
wants is for everyone to be happy. She talks about why they are separated and why she likes
being with her mom and her dad. At the end, she says she loves them both and they love her too,
just not together.
Activity: This is an original activity. There is no outside source for this activity.
This is a tough book to connect to any certain type of activity. I would ask students if they
celebrate different holidays with their mom and dad. I would ask them to pick a holiday and
create a timeline of what events take place during that holiday in their family. (Ex: Hanukah)
Standards: K.1.2 Social Studies- Identify celebrations and holidays as a way of remembering and
honoring people, events and America's ethnic heritage.
Title: Country Mouse, City Mouse
Author: Walt Disney
Copyright Year: 1978
Genre: Multi-Cultural
Pages: 38
Summary: The book opens with a mouse named Abner. He lives on a small farm in the country.
He talks about what type of chores he does around the house and what he does for fun after
work. One day, on his way back, he checks his mailbox and has a letter from his city cousin
Monty saying he is coming to visit. Abner rushes to get the house cleaned up and cooks dinner
as fast as he can. Monty arrives driving a red sports car and wearing a fancy suit.
They eat dinner and talk about their different lifestyles. Abner decides to go back to the city
with Monty. Abner has never ridden in a car before and is scared on the trip to the city. They
passed more and more cars as they got into the city. Abner coughed a lot because he was not
used to the smoke. They go inside and they are chased to a different room by the vacuum
cleaner. Abner is scared but Monty helps him out and tells him to come eat. As they are eating a
cat chases them away and Abner is scared to death. He gives Monty a hug and leaves. He says
he would rather be a poor city mouse than live in fear in the big city.
Activity: This is an original activity.
This is a good book to compare and contrast city and country living. I would design a field trip
to the city, a museum, and the country, a farm. After visiting both places I would ask students to
decide which place they liked the most and tell why in an essay.
Standards: Social Studies 6.1.15- Modern Era: 1700 to the present. Describe the impact of
industrialization and urbanization on the lives of individuals and on trade and cultural exchange
between Europe and the Americas and the rest of the world.
Title: Up Town
Author: Bryan Collier
Copyright Year: 2000
Genre: Multi-Cultural
Pages: 16
Summary: This story talks about the uptown lifestyle of a young boy living in Harlem. It talks
about many different things such as uptown being a caterpillar, or the metro train crossing
overhead. It also says that uptown is a row of brownstone houses that look like chocolate.
Uptown is weekend shopping, a movie theatre, and jazz. They talk about what it is like at their
grandparents’ house, with photographs on the walls. Uptown is summer basketball at Ruckers,
and hanging out at the corner barber shop. Uptown is about church and sunsets over the Hudson
River. In the end, uptown is home.
Activity: This is an original activity.
This book talks about a lot of different things. I would probably use the music topic from this
book. I would talk to students about the different kinds of genres. I would have them create a
song and pick a genre for it.
Standards: Fine Arts/Music 4.7.3- Establish and apply criteria for evaluating various types of
musical performances including personal efforts.
Title: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Author: Judith Viorst
Illustrator: Ray Cruz
Copyright Year: 1972
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 21
Summary: This book tells the story of a young boy’s day, and how it goes terribly wrong.
Alexander wakes up after going to bed with gum in his mouth and wakes up with it in his hair.
He also trips on the skateboard he had in his room. Alexander becomes so mad he says that he
will go to Australia. The story continues on and tells us all the things that went wrong for
Alexander. On his way to school he didn’t get a window seat. When he got to school, his
teacher said she liked another boy’s picture better than his imaginary castle. He also finds out
that his best friend has two other best friends and that Alexander is his third best friend.
Alexander continues to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. When he goes to sleep
that night, his mom tells him that some days are like that…..even in Australia.
Activity: This activity was found at http://www.webenglishteacher.com/viorst.html
This activity relates to helping children write good stories. They focus on using repeated phrases
to build upon a story. The story uses the phrase “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” For
this activity, I would have students write their own story about a good or bad day they had some
time. Students would have to create their own repeated phrase as it is done in the story.
Standards: English/Language Arts- 2.3.4 Identify the use of rhythm pattern, rhyme, and
alliteration (using words with repeating consonant sounds) in poetry or fiction.
Title: Birthday Blizzard
Author: Bonnie Pryor
Illustrator: Molly Delaney
Copyright Year: 1993
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 25
Summary: A girl named Jaime wakes up in the middle of the night to a horrible snowstorm. She
is very nervous and worried that she will not be able to have her birthday party tomorrow. Her
parents tell her not worry and that the storm will be gone by morning. When she awakes, the
storm is still there. The electricity is out and her dad cannot get to work. The party is cancelled
and just the three of them will celebrate it. Dad decides to go check on the Pipers because they
do not have a fireplace to keep warm. Jaime decides to go with and check on the horses. They
give the horse’s fresh food and water and also find some tracks of a little puppy. Jaime is
worried the dog didn’t make it out of the storm. The Pipers come over until the power comes
back on. Dad goes to see if people need help on the highway. He brings back a couple and their
little baby girl. The snowplow driver also comes in because his plow got stuck. Mom decides to
have the party with everyone there. Jaime hears a noise at the door and opens it to find a puppy.
It is hers to keep, and names him Blizzard to remember this day. The storm goes away and the
sun comes out. Everyone is sad to leave, but they promise to write.
Activity: This is an original activity.
After reading this book, the best activity to do would be working with weather patterns. For the
activity, I would print out a log sheet. Students would have to record things such as wind,
temperature, etc over a period of time, most likely a week.
Standard: Social Studies- 1.3.5 Observe and record the weather on a daily basis.
Title: Ira Sleeps Over
Author: Bernard Waber
Copyright Year: 1972
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 48
Summary: A boy named Ira gets invited to sleep over at his friend’s house. He is so excited, but
his sister asks him if he will bring his teddy bear. He has never slept without him, but assures
her that he will sleep fine without him. Ira goes to play with Reggie and they talk about what
they will do that night. When Reggie brings up telling ghost stories, Ira decides he will take his
teddy bear. His sister keeps on nagging him about how Reggie will think he is a baby. Ira keeps
changing his mind about bringing the teddy bear. When he arrives at Reggie’s house that night
they play all kinds of games. When they finally have to go to bed, Reggie begins to tell a ghost
story. He gets out of bed and pulls a teddy bear out of his drawer. Ira asks him all kinds of
questions about the teddy bear. Ira says he has to go get something. He runs back to his house
and gets his own teddy bear.
Activity: This activity was found at http://www.webenglishteacher.com/waber.html. The actual
lesson plan was found at http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-2/lesson0017.shtml
The activity I could for this book is to work on elements of a story. Students will work in groups
and discuss the elements of a story. Once they have filled out the sheet, they will put their ideas
on the board. Follow the lesson plan from the education world website.
Standards: English/Language Arts- 3.3.3 Determine what characters are like by what they say or
do and by how the author or illustrator portrays them.
Title: Goodbye, Max
Author: Holly Keller
Copyright Year: 1987
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 26
Summary: A young boy named Ben stares outside the window looking at the tree which his dog
Max was buried. His dad says that Max was old and they can get a new puppy. Max doesn’t
want a new puppy and goes upstairs. Zach comes over and wants to play catch, but Ben is too
sad to come out. His mom took Max to the vet a week before and Max only got worse. Ben
wanted to stay home but his mom made him go to school. Max died while Ben was at school.
Ben finally comes out of his room to deliver the newspaper. Zach helps him and they tell stories
of what Max used to do when they delivered the paper. Ben begins to cry until he can’t cry
anymore. They go back home and Ben plays with the new dog. He changes his mind and
decides to name the new puppy.
Activity: This is an original activity.
This book talks mostly about feelings, and how a boy copes with them. The only idea I had for
an activity was dealing with newspaper. I would provide students with a full newspaper. I
would have them go through it and teach them about the organization of the newspaper. For
example, the headlines, sections, advertisements, etc. After this I would have students design
their own newspaper that incorporates the sections we discussed.
Standards: English/Language Arts- 4.4.8 Understand the organization of almanacs, newspapers,
and periodicals and how to use those print materials.
Title: Oh, What a Thanksgiving!
Author: Steven Kroll
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Copyright Year: 1988
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 30
Summary: This book opens up with a boy sitting in class learning about the history of
Thanksgiving. Mr. Sanderson, the teacher, teaches them about the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock,
and many other important facts. David begins to get upset that Thanksgiving is no longer like
the very first one. David begins to pretend that he is at the first Thanksgiving. When he gets off
the bus, he pretends that he has landed at Plymouth Rock. His dad tells him to come with him
and pick up a turkey from the supermarket. David keeps on pretending that is at the first
Thanksgiving. He acts like he is hunting turkey, cooking it over an open fire, and wearing a
Pilgrim outfit. Towards the end of the story, David runs to the top of a hill and visualizes it
being the first Thanksgiving. Mr. Sanderson is there, and David tells him he wishes it was the
first the Thanksgiving. Mr. Sanderson tells him it is, because all the young boys would have
wished for something like this. David agrees and runs back home to celebrate it with his family.
Activity: This is an original idea. There is no outside source information.
The best thing to do for this book is create an activity around Thanksgiving. Give a brief lesson
Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock. After teaching the mini-lesson, students will create a skit that
describes the first Thanksgiving.
Standards: Social Studies- K.1.2 Identify celebrations and holidays as a way of remembering and
honoring people, events and America's ethnic heritage.
Title: Abe Lincoln and the Muddy Pig
Author: Stephen Krensky
Illustrator: Gershom Griffith
Copyright Year: 2002
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 29
Summary: In this book Abe Lincoln had a speech to give that day. He was a very handy and
helpful man but today he had nothing on his mind but the big speech. Abe got ready and started
to walk to town when he passed a pig that was in a mud pit. He thought the he was just having a
good time in the mud pit but after a moment he realized that the pig was struggling and couldn’t
get out. Abe proceeded on past the pig because of his big speech that was on his mind. As he
walked away he knew that his speech was very important but he couldn’t help but think about
the pig struggling in the mud. He went back and helped the pig. There was now mud on his
really nice outfit and there wasn’t any time to go back home before he had to give his speech.
When he got to town and gave the speech the people never said anything about the mud on his
clothes because what he said was more important than how he looked.
Activity: This is an original activity.
Abe Lincoln is one of the most famous presidents we have had. This would be a great book to
begin teaching students about the election process. The activity I would have students do would
be to run mock elections in the classroom. I would set up candidates, House of Representatives,
Senate, etc.
Standards: Social Studies- 5.2.6 Describe the primary and general election process for local, state
and national offices, including those used to select congressional and presidential office holders.
Title: A Lesson for Martin Luther King Jr.
Author: Denise Lewis Patrick
Illustrator: Rodney S. Pate
Copyright Year: 2003
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 31
Summary: Martin Luther King Jr. is a young boy in this story. He has been playing with his
friend Bobby all summer, but now they go to different schools. When Martin wants to play,
Bobby shyly says no. Finally, Martin asks why he won’t play with him. Bobby replies by
saying you’re colored and I am white, and my daddy says that doesn’t mix. Martin goes home
and talks to his dad about what happened. His dad tells him all about what goes on between
black and white people. Martin doesn’t like it and asks if he can change it.
Activity: This is an original activity.
For this activity, I would teach students about Martin Luther King Jr. I would mention his
famous “I Have a Dream Speech.” From the book, Martin asks if he can change things. For the
activity, I would have students create their own speech and require them to talk about things they
would change in their lives. (Ex: school, home, food, etc.)
Standards: Social Studies- 8.1.16 Describe the abolition of slavery in the northern states,
including the conflicts and compromises associated with westward expansion of slavery.
Title: Young Christopher Columbus: Discoverer of New Worlds
Author: Eric Carpenter
Illustrator: John Himmelman
Copyright Year: 1992
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 32
Summary: This book starts out by saying that Columbus is one of the first people to sail to
America. It goes on to give a brief look at his background. When he was 19, he became part of
his first crew ship. Columbus was trying to find a new route to the Indies and asked the King
and Queen of Spain for an answer. They said yes, and Columbus sailed out on three ships on
August 3, 1492. The book goes on to talk about the trip and how they discovered a new world
but never reached the Indies.
Activity: This is an original activity.
Columbus is known as the man who discovered the Americas. He traveled here by sea on a new
route never taken before. For this activity, I would print out a picture of the oceans and have
students trace the route Columbus took to the Americas. I would also have students trace other
important routes taken by water and create their own routes to and from certain places.
Standards: Social Studies- 5.1.2 Examine accounts of early European explorations of North
America including major land and water routes, reasons for exploration and the impact the
exploration had.
Title: Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan In Pursuit of a Dream
Author: Deloris Jordan
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Copyright Year: 2000
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 30
Summary: This is a book about Michael Jordan. It starts out with his childhood and how he was
too small to play with the older kids. He went home to his mom one day and she said to put salt
in his shoes and say a prayer everyday and you will grow taller. Michael doesn’t believe her, but
then sees that she got the roses outside to grow so maybe she was right. His dad asks what is
going on and mom says “chasing a dream.” Michael puts his shoes next to the growth chart and
waits to see if it works. Instead of going to the park he just stayed home and practiced. He never
took off his shoes. Michael becomes depressed and his father asks him what is wrong. Michael
has not grown and will not be a great player. His dad says you don’t need to be taller, you have
been practicing and you will be great. Mike runs to the courts to make the game. Again he gets
teased but Mike doesn’t let it phase him. He ends up making the game winning shot. He runs
home to tell his parents who are so proud of him.
Activity: This is an original activity.
A book like this is all about dreams, and working hard to succeed. The activity following this
book would be to write a book report on Michael Jordan.
Standards: English/Language Arts- 5.5.3 Research Application: Write or deliver a research
report that has been developed using a systematic research process (defines the topic, gathers
information, determines credibility, report’s findings)
Title: The Story of Ruby Bridges
Author: Robert Coles
Illustrator: George Ford
Copyright Year: 1995
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 13
Summary: Ruby Bridges was born in Tylerton, Mississippi. Her family was very poor, and
when her dad lost his job they had to move. They moved to New Orleans where her dad became
a janitor and her mom cleaned floors. At this time black and whites were separated at schools.
In 1960, a six year old Ruby had to attend a white school called William Frantz Elementary
school. Ruby has to be escorted into the school by federal marshals to avoid the angry white
folks. Ruby never seemed flustered; she just came to school and was eager to learn. One day,
Ruby stopped and said something to the mob. When the teacher, Miss Hurley, asked her what
she said to them she said she was praying for them. At the end of the story, Ruby gets out of
school and says the prayer for them again.
Activity: This activity came from http://www.teachpeacenow.org/rubybridgesintro.html
This lesson helps students listen to others, learn about point of view, and ethical decision
making. To learn more about the activity, follow the link above. Students will be given a
scenario and given a card that has a certain opinion on that scenario. They will perform this in
front of the class and then will discuss each person view on that issue.
Standards: English/Language Arts- 2.7.1 Determine the purpose or purposes of listening (such
as to obtain information, to solve problems, or to enjoy humor).
English/Language Arts- 2.7.3 Paraphrase (restate in own words) information that has been shared
orally by others