Table of Contents

Title of Book________________Author_______________Activity______________

Fantasy:

Pig Pig Grows Up David McPhail Write a short story

Whose Mouse Are You? Robert Kraus Write a poem

Daisy Head Mayzie Dr. Suess Plant a flower

Curious George Goes to Margret & H.A. Ray Journal Entry the Hospital Owen Kevin Henkes Parachute Activity

Multi-cultural

Shades of People Shelley Rotner & Sheila Thumbprint activity M. Kelly

Will I Have A Friend Miriam Cohen Tell a story

A Fine Fine School Sharon Creech Group skits

Boxes For Katje Candace Fleming Pen Pal Letter

Ali, Child of the Desert Jonathan London Map Activity

Realistic Fiction

Ira Says Goodbye Bernard Waber Write an Essay Ira Sleeps Over Bernard Waber Draw a picture Tell Me, Grandma, Tell Me, Shirlee P. Newman Write a letter to yourself Grandpa The Classroom Pet Grace Maccarone Classroom pet and a log

Moving Molly Shirley Hughes Plant a tree and track growth

Historical Fiction

Coming On Home Soon Jacqueline Woodson Scrapbook pages

The Fire Keepers Son Linda Sue Park PowerPoint presentation Miz Berlin Walks Jane Yolen Interview a Grandparent

Tar Beach Faith Ringgold Write a rap

Peppe The Lamp Lighter Elisa Bartone Board game

Nonfiction

A Field of Sunflowers Neil Johnson Visit a flower farm

I’m Going to be A Farmer Edith Kunhardt Visit a produce/animal farm

Emergency! Gail Gibbons Guest Speaker & brochure

The Thanksgiving Story Alice Dalgliesh Table cloth/compare traditions

All About Light Melvin Berger Bending light activity

Choice: Fantasy:

Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore Be Don Ferguson Escape Route Happy The Berenstain Bears Learn Stan and Jan Berenstain Strangers activity About Strangers The Three Little Wolves and the Eugene Trivizas Compare and Contrast Big Bad Pig Amanda’s First Day of School Joan Elizabeth Goodman Readers Theater Rainbow Fish to the Rescue Marcus Pfister Finger play

Title of book: Pig Pig Grows Up Author’s name: David McPhail Copyright year: 1980 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 22 Synopsis of story: Pig Pig was a pig who was the baby of the family. He did not want to grow up. He insisted on doing everything babies did. He slept in a crib in his baby pjs, he ate baby food in his high chair, he even was pushed in his stroller whenever he and his mom went out. His mom tried to make him grow up but he didn’t want to until one day his mother was trying to push him up the hill in his stroller and couldn’t do it. With one big push, she got him up the hill and then fell over. The stroller kept going down and almost plowed into a real baby stroller. Pig Pig saved the day by stopping his stroller and after that he decided he was a big pig again. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: The students will read this book and write out all of the attributes that the pigs have that they really do not have, individually. They will then get in small groups and write a book about pigs with the attributes that they really do have. Students may write about pigs on a farm or pigs they have seen on television etc.

Standard: Science 1.4.1: Identify when stories give attributes to plants and animals, such as the ability to speak, that they really do not have.

Title of book: Whose Mouse Are You? Author’s name: Robert Kraus Copyright year: 1970 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 28 Synopsis of story: This book is about a mouse who is asked all these questions. Questions like whose mouse are you, where’s your parents and your siblings. His mother was eaten by a cat who is multi colored with flowers, his father was in a trap connected to a jack in the box, and his sister was living in the hills somewhere. He saved his mom by shaking the cat, his father by sawing him out of the trap, and his sister by getting her in a hot air balloon. At the end of the story, he ends up with a little brother as well. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: The students will write a poem about who they belong to and the different members of their family.

Standard: English/ Language Arts: 1.5.3 Write rhymes and simple poems

Title of book: Daisy-Head Mayzie Author’s name: Dr. Seuss Copyright year: 1994 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 46 Synopsis of story: This is a book about a girl named Mayzie. She was sitting in class one day when a daisy grew out of the top of her head. The students in her class pointed, laughed, and called her Daisy-Head Mayzie. At first her teacher thought the students were playing a joke, but she eventually realized that the daisy was real so Mayzie was rushed to the principal’s office. The principal did some research, and the daisy started to die, but so did poor Mayzie. Her parents were called in, as well as some other neighborhood professionals. The florist wanted to cut the daisy off, the doctor wanted to study her, but then in came Finagle the Agent. He said he wanted to represent her and that she could be famous. She signed the contract without even thinking despite her mom’s protest. Mayzie became very famous and there were lots of few. She had lots of money but was still unhappy because she had no friends. She plucked the petals of her daisy saying “they love me, they love me not…” They loved her. She ran back home and the daisy was gone. She went back to school with all of her friends. The daisy only came back now and again but she was used to it. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: As a class talk about how flowers cannot really grow out of a person’s head but they do grow in the ground or flower pot. Each student will plant their own flower seed in a pot and give it what it needs to grow (water and sunlight). The students will write their observations in a science journal.

Standard: Science 2.4.3: Observe and explain that plants and animals both need to take in water. Animals need to take in food, and plants need light (core standard)

Title of book: Curious George Goes to the Hospital Author’s name: Margret and H.A. Rey Copyright year: 1966 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 48

Synopsis of story: The story is about a monkey named George and his friend the man in the yellow hat. George was curious one day and opened a jigsaw puzzle box. He didn’t know what it was so he ate it like a piece of candy. When the man in the yellow hat came home, he noticed that George had opened the box already even though it was supposed to be a surprise. The man in the yellow hat decided that he and George were going to start the puzzle. They finished the puzzle but there was 1 piece missing. They looked everywhere for it but couldn’t find it. The next day George didn’t feel well. He wouldn’t even eat his breakfast, so the man in the yellow hat called the doctor. He didn’t find anything wrong with George so he sent them to the hospital. At the hospital they looked George over and did some x-rays. The x-rays showed that George had eaten the puzzle piece so they schedule surgery for the next day. George was checked into the hospital and stayed overnight with all the other children. The next day George was taken into the surgery room. He was put to sleep and next thing he woke up not knowing what had happened. He didn’t feel very well and went back to sleep. The next day he was feeling better and was able to eat ice cream and play with the other children. He did a puppet show for the other children and they loved it. One boy was in a wheel chair and he was finally allowed to get up and try to walk. While the boy was walking, George, being the curious monkey that he was, decided to take a ride. He was able to ride really fast and ended up going down a sloped hallway. He was headed straight towards the Mayor and a couple trays of food. He couldn’t stop in time and crashed straight into them making a huge mess! The children were upstairs watching the whole affair. One little girl who had not laughed since she had been at the hospital found the whole thing hysterical. George didn’t get into trouble because he was the only one in the hospital who was able to make little Betsy laugh. Activity: Origination of idea: Original/ http://www.sdcoe.net/score/actbank/tjourlact.htm

Description of idea: The students will write in their journal about why it was important for Curious George to go to the hospital when he didn’t feel well. And why it’s important for them to go to the doctor when they are sick. Then the students will read each response aloud and use class time for group revising and rewriting the entries. Standard: Health and Wellness K.1.5: Tell why it is important to be checked by a doctor or dentist

Title of book: Owen Author’s name: Kevin Henkes Copyright year: 1993 Genre: Fantasy Number of pages: 22 Synopsis of story: This is a story about a mouse family and their son Owen. Owen has had his blanket “fuzzy” since he was a baby. He carried it with him everywhere. The mouse families neighbor Mrs. Tweezer mentioned that he can’t carry his blanket around

forever and told his parents about the blanket fairy. It was the same idea has the tooth fairy only instead of taking a tooth the fairy took a blanket and left a big boy prize. Owens parents told him to leave his blanket under his pillow that night. Instead Owen stuffed it down his pants. Fuzzy continued to go everywhere with Owen. It helped him play captain plunger and it helped him be invisible. Mrs. Tweezer came up with another idea to help Owens parents rid him of the blanket. She said to use the vinegar trick where you put the blanket in vinegar and then the smell with make Owen not want to use the blanket anymore. Owen’s father tried this, but Owen outsmarted them. He buried the blanket in the sand and it came out smelling as good as new. Finally, his mother came up with an idea for him to take his blanket to school. She decided to cut Fuzzy up so Owen could use it as a handkerchief every day at school. Owen liked this idea. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: The students will use a sheet or blanket as a parachute. They will follow different directional and spatial cues. These cues could be “hold the sheet above your head”, “hold the sheet as close to the ground as possible”, walk to your right holding the sheet at your waist”, “hold the sheet with your right hand and skip” etc.

Standard: Physical Education 1.2.3: Demonstrate variations in moving with directional, spatial and temporal awareness.

Title of book: Shades of People Author’s name: Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly Copyright year: 2009 Genre: Multi cultural Number of Pages: 29 Synopsis of story: This book is a book about different shades people can be. It talks about every shade of person imaginable. It says that you can’t tell what a person is like by their skin color and that skin is just a cover up for our body. The book says that there are people of different skin colors in families. The book shows pictures of different people with different skin colors and different skin colors in families. Activity:

Origination of idea: http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/read_activities.html

Description of idea: Alike and Different (Thumbprints) Set out white 3" x 5" cards, a black ink pad, a pen, and a magnifying glass. Ask the children to make prints of their thumbs by pressing them on the ink pad and then on the cards. Label each print with the child's name. Let children use the magnifying glass to see how the prints are alike and different. Point out that everyone has patterns on the skin of their fingers and each person's fingerprints are different from anyone else's.

Standard: Science: Life Science 4.3.1 Observe and describe how offspring are very much, but not exactly, like their parents or one another. Describe how these differences in physical characteristics among individuals in a population may be advantageous for survival and reproduction.

Title of book: Will I Have a Friend? Author’s name: Miriam Cohen Copyright year: 1967 Genre: Multi Cultural Number of Pages: 26 Synopsis of story: Will I Have A Friend is a story about a little boy on his first day of school. He didn’t’ want his dad because he didn’t know if he would have any friends. All of the kids already there had friends. They were playing with clay and blocks and doing the tummy bumps. Jim kept asking “where is my friend?” The end of the story during nap time jim notices a little boy watching him. After nap time the boy came up to him and showed him is truck. The boys end up playing with two other students and on the walk home jim told his dad that he had a friend at school. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: The children will tell a story to the class about their first day of school. What happened, who they met, were they scared, did they have fun etc.

Standard: English 2.7.7: Tell experiences in a logical order (chronological order, order of importance, spatial order)

Title of book: A Fine Fine School Author’s name: Sharon Creech Copyright year: 2001 Genre: multicultural

Number of Pages: 29 Synopsis of story: This is a story about a girl who went to school like every other child 5 days a week. Her little brother was too young to go to school and he didn’t’ like to see her leave. Her principal like her school so much that he decided to make the students go to school on Saturdays. None of the teachers or students wanted to go on Saturdays but they did anyway. Her brother was not very happy. Tillie went to school 6 days a week for the next month when her principle decided he liked school so much that he wanted to go to school on Sundays as well. None of the teachers or students wanted to go to school on Sundays but they did anyway. Tillie went to school 7 days a week for about a month when the principle decided he liked school so much that they now had to go to school on holidays too. Nobody wanted to go to school on holidays but they did anyway. HE eventually decided to have school during the summer as well so now students had to go to school every day of the year. The principal saw that nobody was learning so he eventually decided not to go to school on weekends or holidays or during the summer. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: The students will be broken into groups and they will have to come up with a skit to perform in front of the class that illustrates that every student needs to follow the rules regardless of their race or ethnic background.

Standard: Social Studies K.2.5: Roles of Citizens: Identify the role of students in the classroom and the importance of following school rules to ensure order and safety

Title of Book: Boxes for Katje Author’s name: Candace Fleming Copyright year: 2003 Genre: Multicultural Number of pages: 31 Synopsis of story: This story is about a family in Holland after the war. They did not have much. They lived on cabbage and seed potatoes. They had to patch their clothes and lived without milk or sugar. One day a package came from America to a little girl named Katje. In this box was wool socks, some soap, some chocolate and a letter from a girl named Rosie. Katje wrote back to her thanking her for the goodies. In the letter she said that they don’t have sugar in Holland so they appreciate anything sweet. A couple months passed and then came another box for Katje. This box had 4 bags of sugar and another letter from her friend. Katje shared the sugar with her neighbors who had 5 thin little children. She again wrote a letter back to Rosie. She told Rosie that she shared the sugar and that it was hard to stay fed in Holland because there is little food. A while went by before there was yet another box for Katje. This one was so heavy the

mailman couldn’t deliver it on his bike. He had to carry it. The box contained canned meat, powdered milk, sugar and a letter. The letter said that her school had done a food drive to collect food for her and her friends. Katje once again shared her gift with her friends. She wrote another letter to Rosie thanking her for the food and said that it will help them since it is hard to stay warm in Holland without proper clothes for the winter. Time passed and eventually came a ton of boxes for Katje. These boxes contained enough warm clothes and food for the whole town. It was amazing! She kept receiving these boxes throughout the whole winter season. Finally Katje decided to send a box back to Rosie in America. She sent a box of tulip bulbs to brighten her spring season. Activity: Origination of idea: Original Description of idea: Write a letter to a pen pal in another country

Standard: English 2.5.3: Write a friendly letter complete with the date, salutation, body, closing, and signature

Title of Book: Ali, Child of the Desert Author’s name: Jonathan London Copyright year: 1997 Genre: Multicultural Number of pages: 28 Synopsis of story: This is a book about a family who lived in the desert. Ali was finally allowed to go on his first yearly journey to the market. His father rode his camel at the front of the heard and Ali rode towards the back. It was hot and he was uncomfortable but he wasn’t going to complain. Only a child would complain. Out of nowhere came a huge sandstorm that separated Ali from his father. When the storm stopped Ali got back on his camel and headed in the direction they were originally traveling. He came upon a group of goat herdsman. They were kind enough to let him stay with them for the night. They fed him and gave him a drink. They said if his father came to find him in the morning great, if not then he is more than welcome to go with them to the mountains in the morning. Ali’s father didn’t come by morning, but he decided to stay there and wait to see if his father found him. Ali was startled by something. He thought it may have been a bandit coming to get him. But he turned around and his father was standing there. Activity:

Origination of idea: Original Description of idea: Given a map, the students will locate different areas on the map such as the dessert, forests, grasslands, mountains etc. The students will pick one area and do some research on the subject. They will then create a diorama depicting their chosen area.

Standard: Social Studies 2.3.1: The World in Spatial Terms: use a compass rose to identify cardinal and intermediate directions and to locate places on maps and places in the classroom, school, and community. Fine Arts: Visual Arts: 5.8.2 Create artwork incorporating concepts, subject matter, technology or the sign systems of other disciplines that communicates in-depth knowledge gained through integrated study. Title of Book: Ira Says Goodbye Author’s Name: Bernard Waber Copyright Year: 1988 Genre: Realistic Fiction Number of Pages: 40 Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a little boy named Ira. His neighbor and best friend is moving away. Ira found out from his sister who made him guess. He asked his parents and they confirmed it. He started thinking about all of the things he and his best friend Reggie had done over the years. They had a secret hiding place, a tree house, a magic act and more. Later that day Reggie and Ira talked about it and how sad it was. But the next day Reggie had changed, he was very excited about the move. Reggie’s father had told him about all of the great things that happen in Greendale, the town they are moving to. Reggie kept talking about the killer shark, the park in town, and all the friendly people there. Ira was getting fed up with Reggie talking about Greendale all the time. He started thinking about all of the things he doesn’t like about Reggie and how he hopes some new kid moves into Reggies’ old house. Finally on the day Reggie moved, he couldn’t take it anymore. He burst out crying, and gave the turtles back to Ira to keep at his house. After Reggie had moved he called and invited Ira over to spend the weekend with him. Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: The students will write an essay. In this essay they will answer the question, “If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?” The essay must be well written and include an intro paragraph, supporting details, transitional sentences, and a conclusion paragraph. This will be part of an essay contest amongst the class. The winning student will earn some sort of prize.

Standard: English/language Arts 4.4.3: Write informational pieces with multiple paragraphs that:

• provide an introductory paragraph. • Establish and support a central idea with a topic sentence at or near the beginning of the first paragraph. • Include supporting paragraphs with simple facts, details, and explanations. • Present important ideas or events in sequence or in chronological order. • Provide details and transitions to link paragraphs. • Conclude with a paragraph that summarizes the points. • Use correct indention at the beginning of paragraphs.

Title of Book: Ira Sleeps Over Author’s Name: Bernard Waber Copyright Year: 1972 Genre: Realistic Fiction Number of Pages: 48 Synopsis of Story: Ira is invited to sleep over at his friend Reggie’s house. The only problem is, he doesn’t know if he should bring his teddy bear along with him or not. He has never slept without his teddy bear before. He asked his parents, they both said to take the bear. His sister said to leave the bear at home because it’s silly and Reggie will laugh at him. He tried to talk to Reggie about it, but Reggie just kept talking about all the plans he had. They were going to have a pillow fight and tell ghost stories. After that Ira decided that he was going to take his bear. His sister talked him out of it again. She said Reggie will think that the bears name “Tah Tah” is a silly baby name. He said that Reggie will make fun of it. So once again Ira decided against it. He went to Reggie’s house without the bear. They had fun doing all the things Reggie had planned. But when it came time to go to sleep Ira couldn’t do it. He ended up going home to get the bear. When he returned to Reggie’s house, Reggie was sleeping with his own teddy bear. Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: The students will draw a picture of what they would take to a sleep over at a friend’s house. They will then get in groups and compare and contrast ideas. The group will combine their ideas and draw another picture, which they will present to the class. The class as a whole will compare and contrast ideas and make one big list or drawing of things they would take to a sleep over.

Standards: Fine Arts: Visual Arts 4.6.2: Create artwork that communicates personal ideas, experiences, or emotion

4.6.6 Demonstrate respect for personal work and the work of others

Title of Book: Tell Me, Grandma Tell Me, Grandpa

Author’s Name: Shirlee P. Newman Copyright Year: 1979 Genre: Realistic Fiction Number of Pages: 30 Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a little girl who asks her grandmother what her mother was like when she was a child. She told her grandchild that her mother used to throw her toys out of the playpen, ride her tricycle around the house, and carry her blanket with her everywhere. She then asks her grandfather what her father was like when he was little. He said that her father would cry all night, wear his breakfast bowl on his head in the mornings, and have tantrums in the grocery story. The last thing he told her is that sometimes when he was little, he would have to carry his son, her father, upstairs to bed because he fell asleep on the couch. Just as her grandfather tells her that, she falls asleep on the couch. He has to carry her up to bed. Activity: Origination of Idea: I got this idea from one of my elementary teachers. I can’t remember which one. I just know I did this when I was in elementary school and I still have my letter at home somewhere. Description of Idea: Write a letter to yourself 20 years from now. This letter will contain what you are doing now, what you think you will be doing 20 years from now, your favorite book, favorite hobby, and anything else you want your older self to know.

Standard: English/Language Arts 1.5.5: Write for different purposes and to a specific audience or person.

Title of Book: The Classroom Pet

Author’s Name: Grace Maccarone Copyright Year: 1995 Genre: Realistic Fiction Number of Pages: 29 Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a classroom full of students and their classroom pets. It starts out the day before Christmas break and all of the students are waiting to see who gets to take home the various classroom pets. A little boy named Sam got to take the crab, Star, home for break. This was an adventure. On the way home, the crab fell in the car. Sam gives Star food and water. He says goodnight every night. In the morning he is happy to see that Star is eating the food in the morning. Sam lets Star loose in the kitchen. He turned around and Star was gone. He looked everywhere for the crab. Just when he was about to give up looking, he found the crab hanging from the Christmas tree like an ornament. When he took Star back to school after break he had a big story to tell. Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: Have a classroom pet. The students will take turns taking care of it in the classroom. Depending on the animal they may be able to take it home for a night and take care of it at home as well. The students will keep a log of when they took care of the animal and any important information the next person to take care of the pet needs to know. This will encourage responsibility.

Standard: English/Language Arts 6.5.7: Write for different purposes (information, persuasion, description) and to a specific audience or person, adjusting tone and style as necessary.

Title of Book: Moving Molly Author’s Name: Shirley Hughes Copyright Year: 1978 and 1988 Genre: Realistic Fiction Number of Pages: 30

Synopsis of Story: This story is about a girl named Molly. She lived in a city in the lower apartment. She had 7 steps to get to her front door. When she was little her mom pulled her in the carriage up the steps. But now she was too old for that so her siblings made the carriage into a go cart. Molly liked that. She liked that you could see legs out their window. But she wished they had a bigger garden so she could play in it. One day her wish came true. The day after they family went to see the house. There was a big garden for Molly to play in. Then the movers arrived. Molly was amazed at the way they could lift furniture like it was nothing. It was dark when they got to the new house. They eventually got everything in the house, and she went to bed for the night. They started painting and fixing up the garden. Once school started Molly’s two older siblings were gone to school all day and when they came home they were busy riding their bikes and feeding their guinea pigs. Molly was left alone. Molly went and found all the rubble that her dad had pulled out of the garden. In places the grass was higher than her head. She found some cats in the rubble and she also found a greenhouse while she was wandering around. She didn’t tell her family about her findings but she did hang out there often. She took water for the plants. Then a family moved in and she was no later able to play with the cats or in the green house. But she did make friends with the people who moved in. Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: The students will each plant a seed in a pot and watch and it grows and develops. The students will graph their findings on a chart. The class will periodically talk about the students findings and why plants are growing at different rates etc.

Standard: Science 3.3.2: Investigate plant growth over time, take measurements in SI units, record the data and display the data in graphs. Examine factors the might influence plant growth.

Title of Book: Coming On Home Soon Authors Name: Jacqueline Woodson Copyright Year: 2004 Genre: Historical Fiction Number of Pages: 32 Synopsis of Story: Coming on Home Soon is set during World War II. During this time, all of the men were off fighting in the war, so the women were able to get jobs. Ada Ruth’s mother left to find a job in Chicago, where they were hiring women of color,

leaving Ada Ruth with her grandmother. Ada Ruth and her grandmother wait anxiously for her mother to return. They write letters often but they do not get one back for a long time. While they wait for a letter, Ada Ruth and her grandmother work hard to keep themselves busy. Ada Ruth even adopts a stray cat to play with. Eventually they receive a letter with some good news; Ada Ruth’s mom is coming home soon! Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: Students will pretend their mother is away for a period of time. They will each make a scrapbook page or 2 showing what they have been doing recently. Along with the pictures there should be a short description of the pictures and any story that may help the reader understand the picture better. The pages will be made into one big class scrapbook and can be shown at parent teacher conferences or just kept in the classroom as a keepsake.

Standard: English/Language Arts 1.5.4: Use descriptive words when writing

Title of Book: The Fire Keepers Son Authors Name: Linda Sue Park Copyright Year: 2004 Genre: Historical Fiction Number of Pages: 37 Synopsis of Story: The Fire Keepers Son is about a family in Korea. They were on the first hill, the most important city. They had a fire system in Korea. If the city was in no danger, a fire would be lit on the hill. The fire keeper on the next hill would see the fire and light the fire on his hill. The fires were lit on the hills until the very last hill had a flame. The last hill was the closest to the king’s palace. The King would see the fire, and see that his land was safe. If there was no fire he would know that his land was in danger and send soldiers to fight. The boy’s father was the fire keeper of their hill. Every night he would climb the hill and light the fire. One day the fire was not lit. Sang-Hee didn’t see any signs of danger. He went to find his father. About half way up the hill, Sang-Hee’s father was on the ground with a broken foot. He was not able to light the fire. Sang-Hee had to do it. He went up the hill but debated actually lighting the fire. He really wanted to see soldiers. But he lit the fire and his father was proud there was another fire keeper in the family.

Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: The students will make a power point presentation of them doing a job that they do at home. The presentation will include pictures, a description of what they are doing, and an explanation of why they are proud to do that job.

Standard: English/Language Arts 3.7.6: provide a beginning, a middle, and an end to oral presentations, including details that develop a central idea.

Title of Book: Miz Berlin Walks Authors Name: Jane Yolen Copyright Year: 1997 Genre: Historical Fiction Number of Pages: 29 Synopsis of Story: Miz Berlin Walks is a story about a little girl and Miz Berlin. Miz Berlin always took long walks that went past the little girls house. The little girl would join her and Miz Berlin would tell her stories about when she was a little girl, about her birth, everything. These stories always had to end at the end of the road though because the little girl wasn’t’ allowed to go any farther. Everyday the story would pick back up where it left off. Until one day Miz Berlin didn’t come by on her walk. She had fallen down the stairs and broken her hip in half. She was in the hospital for 6 weeks and even when she came home she wasn’t allowed to get up or talk. She eventually passed away but the people of the town say you can still see her walking at night, telling her stories. Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: Interview a grandparent and find out what their life was like when they were younger and do a presentation in front of the class.

Standard: English/Language Arts 5.7.13: Emphasize points in ways that help the listener or viewer follow important ideas and concepts

Title of Book: Tar Beach Authors Name: Faith Ringgold Copyright Year: 1991 Genre: Historical Fiction Number of Pages: 25 Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a girl who wants everything for her family. She would like for her daddy to not have to work on 24 story high metal things to build skyscrapers. She would like for him not to have to leave every winter to find work; leaving her momma crying every day he is gone. She would like to have ice cream every night for dessert. So she flies high in the stars and claims building like the union, so her father wouldn’t have to work anymore, the ice cream factory, to be sure they could have ice cream whenever they wanted, and the bridge because her daddy said it was the best bridge around. Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: Write a song about where you would go if you could fly and perform it for the class. In your song, write about the different things you may hear, see, or do while you are flying.

You did a song last time.

Standard: Fine Arts: Music 3.4.2: Compose a melody to match given lyrics. Create Lyrics to match a given melody.

Title of Book: Peppe the Lamplighter Authors Name: Elisa Bartone Copyright Year: 1993 Genre: Historical Fiction Number of Pages: 31 Synopsis of Story: This is a story about a family who just moved to America, before the time of electricity. There was a single father, a son, and many daughters. The father was sick so the son had to go out and find a job to help support his family. He looked all over, asking many business owners for jobs but none of them needed any more

workers. Till one day the lamp lighter approached him saying that he had heard the boy was looking for a job. His father was ashamed that Peppe had taken the job. He said Peppe would belong to the streets. Eventually his father wouldn’t even look at him he was so ashamed. One day Peppe didn’t go out and light the lamps. That same night his little sister did not come home. The whole family was panicked. His father talked to him and told him the lighting the lamps would be a very important job on this night. So reluctantly Peppe went out to light the lamps. There sitting on the ground leaning on the very last lamp Peppe had to light, was his little sister. She said she wanted to be just like him when she grew up because he scared away the darkness. Activity: Origination of Idea: Original Description of Idea: Create a board game that maps out Peppe’s path to find his sister. Help Peppe find his sister.

Standard: Social Studies: Human Systems: Draw simple maps using symbols

that show how space is used in the classroom, in the school, and in the neighborhood. Title of book: A Field of Sunflowers Author’s name: Neil Johnson Copyright year: 1997 Genre: Non-fiction Number of Pages: 29 Synopsis of story: A Field of Sunflowers is about a farmer named Gordon. On his farm he is going to plant sunflowers in his field. The book goes through the process of how he plants seeds. First he uses a disc plow to loosen up the soil in the field. After the soil is loose he uses a planter to place seeds in the ground. The seeds are planted in long rows. The seeds sprout after just one day of being planted the plant pushes out so it is visible above the soil. As the plants grow they need sunlight. This is called photosynthesis. Each plant is 6-8 feet tall at full height, they start to grow buds and stiffen, making them stronger. After the buds are formed it only takes about a week for the full head to grow. Each bud is a cluster of small flowers that need to be pollinated in order to become seeds. Soon, there were many people were flocking to Gordon’s farm, having picnics and taking pictures of the beautiful flowers. He is proud of his flowers and has a dinner party by the field to celebrate. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: Visit a flower farm and learn about the process a seed goes through to become a flower

Standard: Science 3.3.1 Identify the common structures of a plant including its roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Describe their functions.

Title of book: I’m Going to be A Farmer Author’s name: Edith Kunhardt Copyright year: 1989 Genre: Non-fiction Number of Pages: 27 Synopsis of story: A little boy named Nathan lives on his parent’s farm in I’m Going to Be A Farmer. His parents grow their own food and sell potatoes at the market. Nathan wants to be a farmer just like his parents. The story talks about how every morning he goes out to the farm with his parents, his little sister, and his grandpa. He goes out to check on the baby chicks, he watches his mom feed the sheep, and he rakes the floor in the pig pen. He goes to see the turkeys with his sister and the gander hisses at them. They check on the horses, he helps fix things around the farm and rides in the tractor with his father. Nathan and his sister help pick the veggies out of the garden, like peppers and corn off the stalk, pumpkins and tomatoes. The book talks about the potatoes and their trek to the market. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: Visit an animal or produce farm, see how the produce is harvested or the animals taken care of Standard: Science K.3.2. Describe and compare living animals in terms of shape, texture of body covering, size, weight, color and the way they move.

Science 1.3.4 Describe how animal’s habitats, including plants; meet their needs for food, shelter and an environment in which they can live Title of book: Emergency! Author’s name: Gail Gibbons Copyright year: 1994 Genre: Non-fiction Number of Pages: 30 Synopsis of story: Emergency! by Gail Gibbons is about different forms of emergency personnel and what they do. The police have motorcycles and cars with sirens and lights to easily get through traffic. Another form of emergency vehicles is ambulances. These vehicles are used to carry people to the hospital in case of an emergency. Utility trucks help take care of things like power lines that have fallen down. There are a few kinds of fire trucks, but all of them carry people who work to fight the fires. There are

boats that are emergency vehicles as well. Fireboats help put out fires that occur on the water. The coast guard has rescue boats to help people that are stranded out on the water. The police have boats to help rescue people if there is an accident or crime committed out on the water. Tug boats help ships that are in trouble. Fire fighters have air planes to help fight forest fires; the coast guards planes help the boats rescue people out on the water. Police planes help rescue people that vehicles can’t easily get to. Hospitals have helicopters to help quickly transport people who need medical assistance. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: A representative from each form of emergency personnel could come to school and talk about what he or she does, they could bring a vehicle for the students to see, talk about how important it is to practice safety, how do not call 911 unless it’s an emergency, talk about instances where you would call 911. Students will then pick a branch and create a brochure based on information they learned and prior knowledge. Standard: Health and Wellness K.1.4 State behaviors to prevent or reduce childhood injuries Health and Wellness K.3.1 Name a person who can help promote health and wellness Health and Wellness 1.3.2 List ways to locate a community helper for a health-related situation Social Studies: Economics 2.4.2 Identify community workers who provide goods and services for the rest of the community, and explain how their jobs benefit people in the community (core standard)

Title of book: The Thanksgiving Story Author’s name: Alice Dalgliesh Copyright year: 1982 Genre: Non-fiction Number of Pages: 28 Synopsis of story: This book is about Giles, Constance, Damaries Hopkins and their parents. They are pilgrims on the Mayflower on their way to America. The children are excited to be on the ship, they don’t know what is going to happen. There were many different kinds of people on the ship like servants, hired workmen, pilgrims, and carpenters. There were lots of supplies on the ship, food, water, seeds and tools for planting things in the new land. There were also things on the ship to trade with the

Indians. When the ships set sail the passengers were ordered to go to the ‘tween deck where they were supposed to live while on the water. The Speedwell, the other ship that was carrying passengers to America had a leak, so both ships had to go back to shore to rearrange the passengers. Eventually the Mayflower set sail again. On most days the families ate biscuits and meat for their meals. As time went on the three siblings gained a new sibling named Oceanus. Two months later they had still not arrived in the new land. Eventually they landed at Cape Cod. The passengers were not allowed off the ship right away because they knew there would be Indians on land. They had heard many stories about the Indians but they weren’t sure how they would react. They were eventually allowed of the ship to explore the new land. The women and children had a wash day and did laundry while the men fixed things that were broken on the trip and went in search of food. In the winter several of the men built houses so the Hopkins family had a place to live. There were a few Indians who came to introduce themselves and say why there were not that many of them in the area. A lot of them had died of sicknesses. One of the Indians who came ended up staying in the area to help teach them to plant corn like they do. The pilgrims had a day to thank God for all he has given them. They had a big meal and invited all the Indians to join them. Activity:

Origination of idea: http://www.homeschooledkids.com/allaboutthanksgiving.htm / Original Description of idea: Create A Memory! Buy a plain table cloth and have each student sign and date the table cloth and tell what they are most thankful for this year. Have each student draw a picture or write a short story of something that pilgrims had to be thankful for and compare. Standard: Social Studies K.1.1. Compare children and families of today with those in the past (core standard) Social Studies K.1.2. Identify celebrations and holidays as a way of remembering and honoring people, events, and America’s ethnic heritage (core standard)

Title of book: All About Light Author’s name: Melvin Berger Copyright year: 1995 Genre: Non-fiction Number of Pages: 30 Synopsis of story: All About Light is obviously a book about light. It starts by saying that light is what makes life possible. Then it explains that light is a form of energy and that most of the Earth’s light comes from the sun. There are different activities pertaining to light for classes to do. Each activity goes with something the book has told us about light. The book talks about rainbows and what they are. They happen usually when the sun comes out after it rains. The drops of rain still in the air bend the sun’s

light making the various colors of the rainbow. The book also gives other places rainbows can be found such as diamond rings and puddles of water. Activity: Origination of idea: All About Light

Description of idea: Students can do any one of the activities listed in the book such as Bouncing Balls, Bouncing Light. In this activity one person shines a flashlight at a mirror straight on. The light comes back to you. The person with the ball bounces the ball straight now. The ball bounced right back up. But if you shine the light at an angle toward the mirror the light comes back at you at a slant. Same with the ball, bouncing at a slant will either bounce it back at you or bounce it away from you, depending on which way you bounce it. Students will have fun learning about light. Standard: Physical Science 3.1.4 Investigate how light travels through the air and tends to maintain its direction until it interacts with some other object or material.

Title of book: Winnie the Pooh Eeyore, Be Happy Author’s name: Don Ferguson Copyright year: 1991 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 23 Synopsis of story: In this story, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet were playing games over the bridge when they saw Tigger under the bridge. They asked him what he was doing. He said that it was earthquake weather and he was waiting under bridge till it was over. He convinced Piglet and Pooh to wait under them with him. Later Christopher Robin found them and told them there was no such thing as earthquake weather and Eeyore was just in a bad mood. Tigger knew just how to help Eeyore’s mood. They bounced around everywhere and eventually bounced right into a big mud puddle. Pooh said he could help. He said the key to being happy was having a cupboard full of honey, but when they got to his house his cupboards were empty. He told them how to get honey out of the tree, so Eeyore climbed up the tree to get the honey but he ran into bees. They all ran for cover. They ended up at Piglet’s house. Piglet said that Eeyore would be happy painting the house cause that always helped Piglet. He tripped half way up the latter. Later he went to his house, sat under the stars and decided it was hurricane weather. Activity: Origination of idea: http://www.fema.gov/kids/98wdgen.htm

Description of idea: Imagine that an earthquake has struck your community. You and your family must evacuate your home and come to your school for

safety until the disaster is over and it is announced that is it safe for everyone to return home.

1. Plan and write an escape route for your family to take from your house to school. Give clear travel directions.

2. Plan and write down a list of materials for the disaster supply kit you will bring with you to the school. All the supplies for the kit must fit in an average sized gym bag.

Standard: Science 4.2.3 Describe how earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides suddenly change the shape of the land. Earth Science 2.2.6 Learn about, report on and practice severe weather safety procedures World Geography WG.5.3 Map the occurrence and describe the effects of natural hazards throughout the world and explain ways to cope with them. World Geography WG.5.4 Analyze the possible effect of a natural disaster on the local community and devise plans to cope with a disaster so as to minimize or mitigate its effects.

Title of book: The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers Author’s name: Stan and Jan Berenstain Copyright year: 1985 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 32 Synopsis of story: This story is about two bear cubs. Brother Cub was cautious around strangers but Sister Cub was not. She talked to everybody they came across. Brother Cub talked to her and told her that she would need to stop that. She asked why but he told her she needed to talk to Mama and Papa Bear. Papa Bear talked to her. He showed her the newspaper and all of the children that have been abducted or taken away. At bed time he read the cubs a book about a goose that was abducted by a Fox and was eaten. Sister Cub did not sleep very well that night. She didn’t want to go outside and play until they suggest her favorite game of Frisbee. She thought everybody was bad; she came home and had a talk with Mama Bear. Mama Bear explained that not all strangers are bad. She compared them to apples. Some apples look good on the outside but are really good on the inside. Some apples look bad on the outside but the insides are good. So they went out to play again. But before they knew it Brother Cub was talking to a stranger. Sister Cub ran up to him and pulled him away. They went home and she told her parents. Their parents explained the thing about bad apples to him and all was well.

Origination of idea: http://www.ncpc.org/topics/by-audience/law-enforcement/teaching-children/activities-and-lesson-plans/strangers-grades-2-3

Description of idea: Share with students the following situations: o u're playing outside with your friends. An adult you don't know asks for directions

to a nearby store. Yo

A o

As

O o

o neighbor is walking his dog. He sees you playing outside and asks if you want twalk the dog with him.

o you're walking home from school, you notice an adult you don't know following you.

o n your way home from school you see an adult you know. She asks if you want tgo get some ice cream and then she will drive you home. • After each situation, ask the students what they think McGruff would want them

to do. McGruff would tell students not to talk or go anywhere with an adult without first asking a parent or caregiver. Also, students should get a trusted adult to help if they ever feel afraid or uncomfortable. (The McGruff Network is a group of individuals who promote self-protection and crime prevention on a neighborhood, city, state, or national level)

• Share with them that if any of these situations really happened, they should always tell an adult they trust.

• Have the students role-play telling an adult about one of the situations Standard: Health and Wellness 1.4.3 Identify ways to respond when in a threatening or dangerous situation Health and Wellness 2.4.3 Demonstrate ways to respond when in an unwanted, threatening or dangerous situation

Title of book: The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig Author’s name: Eugene Trivizas Copyright year: 1993 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 29 Synopsis of story: This story is much like The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. This book the wolves are the ones going out to get houses on their own and the pig is bad. They built a house out of bricks. The big bad pig tried to blow it down. When he didn’t succeed, he got a big hammer and knocked it down. The wolves had to build a new house. This time they built it out of concrete because it was stronger than bricks. The big bad pig came around again. This time he used a jack hammer to break down the house. The wolves once again they had to find a new house. This time they built a house out of big metal padlocks and metal chains. This time the pig used explosives to

tear down the house. Then they decided to build a house out of flowers. When the pig came around he was about to blow the house down he smelled the flowers. He started to sing and dance. The wolves decided he was a good pig and they let him play games with them. Activity: Origination of idea: Indiana Academic Standards

Description of idea: The students will compare and contrast The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig with different cultures versions of the story. Standard: English/Language Arts 2.3.3 Compare and contrast versions of the same stories from different cultures (Core Standard) English/Language Arts 3.3.7 Compare and contrast versions of the same stories from different cultures.

Title of book: Amanda’s First Day of School Author’s name: Joan Elizabeth Goodman Copyright year: 1985 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 23 Synopsis of story: Amanda’s First Day of School is about a bear named Amanda. Amanda was so excited about her first day of school that she got up really early. She tried to wake her parents up but they said it was too early. She danced around her room and waited for her parents to get up. They made her a special breakfast and then Mama Bear took her to school. She was overwhelmed by all the people there. When she got in the classroom she decided that she didn’t like school because there were too many bears and everybody was fighting or clinging to their parents. She didn’t want her mama to leave but she eventually had to go. She didn’t know what to do but she met a girl who was also crying when her parents left. They colored together and liked the same things. When it was nap time, the two girls took naps beside each other. When Amanda went home she told her mom that first school was awful but then they were busy bees. Activity: Origination of idea: Original

Description of idea: As a class, create and perform a reader’s theatre for the younger grade (or upcoming kindergarteners). Standard: Fine Arts: Theater: K.6.2 Create and present original stories.

Fine Arts: Theater: K.8.2 Imitate or create people, creatures, or things based on observation.

Title of book: Rainbow Fish to the Rescue Author’s name: Marcus Pfister Copyright year: 1995 Genre: Fantasy Number of Pages: 24 Synopsis of story: Rainbow Fish to the Rescue by Marcus Pfister is about a school of fish that all had a sparkling silver scale since Rainbow fish had shared. They did everything together. Then one day when they were playing flash tag a fish came through that was striped. The school of fish would not let him play because he wasn’t a flash fish. Rainbow fish was reluctant to follow the other fish and turn away from the striped fish but he did it anyway. The fish started playing again until a shark came through. Everybody managed to find a hiding place, except the striped fish was all alone. Rainbow fish didn’t like that so he swam out of hiding to help the fish. The rest of the fish quickly followed even though they were scared. The flash fish swam straight toward the shark, confusing him so the striped fish could get away. Eventually the shark was so tired from all of the confusion that he swam away. The flash fish headed to the reef again but this time they took the striped fish with them. They even invited him to play with them. Activity: Origination of idea: http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/multicultural.htm

Description of idea: This is a finger play to do with children during circle time. I am different from my head to my toes (point to self then to head and toes) I am different from my eyes to my nose (point to self then eyes and nose) I come from a place that is far and wide (point to self then spread arms wide open) A place where we all smile instead of cry (act like you are tracing your lips into a smile and bring hands down eyes as if you were crying) I am very different as you can see (point to self then at a friend) But I still have a lot of love in me! (point to self place hand over the heart then hug yourself) Standard: Social studies: Civic and government 2.2.4 Roles of citizens: Describe how people of different ages, cultural backgrounds and traditions contribute to the community and how all citizens can respect these differences (core standard)

Middle School FACS MS.5.5 Leadership for Life: Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills, including; Diversity and multiculturalism Advance Child Development ACD.4.3 Demonstrate respect for diversity with sensitivity to anti-bias, gender equity, age, culture, and ethnicity related to children, parenting, and child nurturing practices.