In Aunt Giraffe's Green Garden

By: Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Petra Mathers

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Copyright: 2007

This giant book of poems, is great for students of any age. In the book there are twenty eight diverse poems, dealing with animals, people, snow, and the presidents. There are catchy rhymes and vivid pictures that show a great vision of each poem. This is a great book for beginning poets.

Vocabulary: Scarcely, summits, chassis, blustery, majestic, galoshes


Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud


Lexile Level: 780L

Web Resources: 

Teachers Guide: This is a guide to help teach the book. http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/TeachingGuides/0066238692.pdf

Audio: Readings of a couple of the poems http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=2229

Comprehension Strategy:

Before Reading: Students who have no been exposed to poems, need to understand what poetry is? How is poetry written? What makes something poetry?

During Reading: Read one poem, see if students can pick out any characteristics that stand out to them in the poem. First visionally, how there are stanzas, then talk about rhyming words at the end of sentences.

Writing Activity: 

Students will write a poem, based off a poem in the book. Students will have end rhymes in their poem. Students will illustrate a picture that is the visual representation of the poem. 

Out of my Mind

By: Sharon Draper
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2010

Melody is not your average eleven year old,  she has a photographic memory and she can remember everything she encounters. Melody is smarter than everyone in her class and even most of the adults in her life, however Melody is not able to communicate or walk. She has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Melody is placed in a learning community for students with disabilities, when her world changes when she starts fifth grade. Her new school begins having inclusion classroom, which allows Melody to be mainstreamed with other peers. Will Melody’s peers accept her? How will Melody communicate with her peers? 

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Guided Reading


Lexile Level: 700L

Key Vocabulary: photographic memory, disability, cerebral palsy, inclusion, diagnosis

Web Resources:

Meet the Author: Learn how Sharon is both a English teacher and a writer http://www.teachingbooks.net/spec_athr.cgi?pid=3640

Teachers Guide: Here is great ideas and activities for teaching this book http://books.simonandschuster.net/tagged_assets/23241_out_of_my_mind_rgg_7316.pdf

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Book Trailer http://www.booktrailersforreaders.com/Out+Of+My+Mind+Book+Trailer


During Reading: Students will have a discussion based on their readings so far, how does the title play a role in Melody's life. 

Writing: 

Put yourself in Melody's chair. Write a paper that tells what it would be like to be Melody for one day. Write about your feelings and frustrations. 

Write a descriptive paper that uses sensory imagery. Describe a specific scene and bring it to life with your words. Use vivid verbs and powerful adjectives and adverbs as you write. Use as many of the senses as you can (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).

Lady Liberty: A Biography

Lady Liberty: A Biography

By: Doreen Rappaport
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright: 2011

Rappaport tells through the eyes of those who created her and worked to make her come together. It begins in 1865 as an idea, but then tens years later Edouard Laboulayes dream starts to take shape. Most immigrant workers; engineers, carpenters, coppersmiths and more work together to build Lady Liberty.

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Guided Reading


Lexile Level: AD760L

Key Vocabulary: liberty; dictator; sculptor; coppersmith; structural engineer; publisher

Web Resources:
Meet the Author: Students can learn about Dorren Rappaport and what she likes to do http://www.doreenrappaport.com/

Teacher Guide: http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763625302.btg.1.pdf

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Students should fill out a KWL chart.

After Reading: Popcorn Discussion answering these questions

1. Why did Edouard de Laboulaye want to give America a gift?
2. Where is the Statue of Liberty located? Why was this location selected?
3. Why do you think some people mocked the statue?
4. Why do you think soldiers who fought in the Civil War gave so much money to fund the statue?
5. Describe the process used by the builders to create the statue.
6. What were the obstacles overcome by those working to create this statue and built it in America?
7. How many years of planning and work did it take to make the Statue of Liberty a reality?

Writing:

Have each student imagine himself or herself as a statue of liberty.Ask students to draw pictures of what they might wear or hold and to label what those things represent to them. Students will have to explain their reasoning behind each item.

Eleven

By: Patricia Reilly Giff
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Copyright: 2008

Sam, is turning eleven, What’s so bad about turning eleven? Well, the number eleven is haunting Sam, in his dreams and his memories. He doesn’t know why. But just before his eleventh birthday he discovers an old newspaper clipping in his grandfathers attic, with a picture of him and his first name, expect his last name is different and it says the word missing. Sam wants to know more about his life, but unfortunately he is not able to read very good, so he acquires the help of a his new partner for a school partner named Catherine. She is always reading, but Catherine’s family has their own troubles? Will Sam find out about his past? Is it worth it?

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Guided Reading


Lexile Level: 600L

Key Vocabulary: turrets, moat, detention, ornate, prow, dredge, trenchers

Web Resources:

Web Resources:

Teachers Guide: This is a teachers that is useful when guided students through the book; it gives teaching ideas, discussion and writing, and activities http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385730693&view=tg

Curriculum Guide: This is a guide is helpful to teachers by giving them teaching ideas http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/curriculumguides/eleven.html

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Book trailer for Eleven http://www.booktrailersforreaders.com/Eleven+Book+Trailer

After Reading: Students will complete a popcorn discussion on their readings in the book.

Writing Activity: How are Sam, Mack, Onji, and Anima a family? Compare Sam’s family to Caroline’s family. Which family appears more unified? Debate whether Caroline envies Sam’s relationship with his family. Describe the special bond between Sam and Mack. Explain how learning about his past makes Sam feel even closer to Mack.

Rules

By: Cynthia Lord

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Copyright: 2008

Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life which is nearly impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules that other people know but David has to learn, "If the bathroom door is closed, knock" - "No toys in the fish tank" in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But this summer things are different, Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy and she begins to form a friendship with him after offering to draw pictures for his communication book. Then a girl named Kristi moves next-door, she is the friend that Catherine has always wanted, but she can't seem to figure Kristi out. Catherine becomes conflicted with two very different lifestyles and she is forced to ask herself, "What is so important about being normal anyway?"

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Guided Reading

Lexile Level: 780L

Key Vocabulary: Occupational therapist, autism, disability, speech therapist, communication book, normal

Web Resources:

Learn about the Author: Cynthia Lord Website

Book Trailer for Rules: YouTube-Rules

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Invite a guest speaker talk to your students about autism or have your school speech or occupational therapist come in and talk to the students about their career and how they help people with certain disabilities.

After Reading: Have students write a Poem for Two Voices, if students want to write from Jason point of view, what would he say if he could talk?

Writing Activity: If you were to make communication cards for Jason, what words or phrases would you write? Explain your reasoning behind your choices. (Students can also illustrate the picture that goes along with the word or phrase)

Elijah of Buxton

By: Christopher Paul Curtiss
Publisher: Turtleback Books: A Division of Sanval
Copyright: 2009

Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman was the first born child into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from Detroit. But now Elijah is more known as “fra-gile” according to his momma. However, when a former slave calling himself the Right Reverend Zephariah W. Connerly the Third steals money from Elijah's friend Mr. Leroy, who has been saving to free his enslaved family in the South. Elijah joins Mr. Leroy on a dangerous journey to America to the find the preacher and get Mr. Leroy’s money back. Elijah discovers firsthand the horrific life his parents fled from in America. Will Elijah make it back to freedom in Buxton?

Suggested Delivery: Guided Reading


Lexile Level: 1070L

Key Vocabulary: settlement, slavery, free slave, druthers, blaspheming, ornery

Web Resources:
Meet the Author: Students can view can interview with Christopher Paul Curtis http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp ID=1640183585&bcpid=1640183585& bclid=1683701960&bctid=1688353494 

Audio Tape: Students can listen to the author read the first chapter of the book http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/catalog/display.php?isbn=9780739367193

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Students will complete an anticipation guide, then they will view a short video that will give them background information of the setting of the book and the life that Elijah was living http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsppID=1640149541&bcpid=1640149541&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAFv844g~,BASb5BU03X-iSxP2xnUo82nI3lwCMiDm&bclid=1557820329&bctid=1731910630

After Reading: Students will create their own book trailer for Elijah of Buxton.


Writing: Students will respond to the question: If you were in Elijah's shoes would you help Mr. Leory (knowing all the risk)?Explain your answer with reasoning.

Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean

Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean

By: Sarah Stewart Taylor, Ben Towle

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Copyright: 2010

In this book, we meet Amelia Earhart from a young girls perspective named Grace. Grace is an inspiring journalist, who writes for the town Trepassey, Newfoundland, which has made her a bit of a nosy nelly. Amelia Earhart has come to Newfoundland, to practice flying with a certain amount of fuel and Grace is all over Amelia's story. Each day Grace, watches Amelia take off and they fail at flying. One day Grace is able to talk to Amelia one on one, Grace is overjoyed. She asks her personal questions and finds out about her inspiration for flying. Finally, on the last day, Amelia's plane is carrying the lightest amount of fuel possible, but does she make it up in the air? Does she make it around the world?

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read 

Lexile Level: 1080L

Key Vocabulary: Aviation, endeavors, apprehensive, trespass, telegram, Charles Lindbergh

Web Resources:

Meet the Author: Susan Stewart Taylor http://www.sarahstewarttaylor.com/ and the illustrator http://www.benzilla.com/

Reading Guide and Lesson Plan:http://wildgeeseguides.blogspot.com/2010/01/amelia-earhart-this-broad-ocean.html

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Students will fill out the K part of the KWL. Initiate students 

by asking: What do we already know about Amelia Earhart? Has anyone read any books or seen any pictures? (if students are having a hard time remembering show them the book cover).

During Reading: Students will have a discussion based on why Amelia Earhart was so inspiring to Grace? Is there anyone who is inspiring to you like that. 

Writing: Students will create a comic strip including key events in Amelia Earharts life. 

Bad News for Outlaws

Bad News For Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

Copyright: 2009

By: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

This is a biography of the fearless Bass Reeves he was the first African- American deputy U.S. marshal and the most successful in American history. He brought more than 3,000 criminals to justice with fewer than 14 deaths in the line of duty. He was a lawful man, he knew the rules and stuck to them. He even arrested his own son on murder charges. Bass Reeves kept peace in the Indian Terrority for over 30 years. This extremely hardworking man worked in the rugged Wild West in the late 1800s. 

There’s a “Western Words” glossary in the back, along with a timeline, research notes, and suggestions for further reading.Respect for the law and civilized behavior and the rewards of dedicated work run through this account of Reeves’ life.

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

Lexile Level: 860L

Key Vocabulary: Territories, sheriff, outlaw, lawless, lawman, warrant, bandit,

Web Resources:

Meet the Author: Read how Vaunda Micheaux Nelson track down information about the Old West hero. 

Audio Tape: Author Talking about how she began writing the book Bad News for Outlaws and then she reads an excerpt from the book http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=3966

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Students will make vocabulary cards, with the word, definition, picture, and the word used in a sentence to study key vocabulary.

After Reading: Students will have a discussion on why the story of Bass Reeves is important? What makes Bass Reeves’ story inspirational?

Writing: One of the most surprising details about Bass Reeves is that he arrested his own son, Benjamin. Imagine you are Benjamin and write a letter to your mother from jail.

Two Bobbies

By: Kirby Larson, Mary Nethery, Jean Casselsy

Publisher: Walker & Company

Copyright: 2008

When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, many family pets were left homeless and alone. This book tells the journey of two animals, Bobbi the dog and Bob Cat the cat, and how their struggle to survival can be inspirational to us all. Their loyalty to each other while roaming the debris covered streets, until they finally made it to an animal shelter, where they were separated. After both animals were restless and groan the whole night they volunteers at the shelter put the animals together and they were calm. The volunteers discovered that Bob Cat was blind and Bobbi worked as his seeing eye dog. This story highlights the importance of friendship and finding a place to call home.

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

Lexile Level: AD810L

Key Vocabulary: Hurricane Katrina, Mardi Gras, debris, shelter, volunteers, blind, eye seeing dog, Mississippi, New Orleans

Web Resources:

Official Website: Students can read about how Bobbi and Bob Cat are doing and read about the authors http://www.twobobbies.com/bobbies.htm

Reading Guide to Use: http://www.bloomsburykids.com/sites/dev.bloomsburykids.com/files/Two%20Bobbies%20Classroom%20Activities.pdf

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Discuss question with students: What is a hurricane? Where did Hurricane Katrina hit? (Show map of the United States) Did Hurricane Katrina cause a lot of damage? Show students CNN Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeWf0mdQqm8

After Reading: Discuss with students about animal shelters. Does your town have an animal shelter? More than one? Why do you think animals end up in shelters? Why is it important to spay and neuter dogs and cats? Have students write in their journals and answer the question If you could adopt any animal into your family, what kind of animal would you choose? Why?

Writing: Students will write a story about a time when they had a friend be very loyal to them or About a time when they were loyal to a friend. Students will explain the events building up to the situation.

Swindle

By: Gordon Korman

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Copyright: 2009

Griffin Bing is the sixth grade students that always has a plan even if they are some way bigger than they need to be. Griffins most recent plan was to sleep in the local haunted house that is condemned and was being knocked down the next day. While in the house Griffin discovers a very rare George Herman Ruth baseball card. This is the key to all his problems, since he knows he can get a lot of money for the card, this will help his family from their financial problems. He goes to the collectibles dealer to see how much it is worth and the dealer says its only worth 120 dollars, then he later discovers that they card can sell for over a million dollars. Now Griffin must put together a band of misfits to break into the Swindles house to capture their card. But there are so many obstacles in their way including a vicious guard dog.

Suggested Delivery: Guided Reading

Lexile Level: 710L

Key Vocabulary: Condemned, supernatural, clamorous, emporium, narcolepsy, allergy

Web Resources:

Meet the Author: Students can meet Gordon Korman and watch a video of how he got started writing books.

Guide for teaching: This is a guide for teaching the book Swindle http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/curriculumguides/swindle.html

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Have students complete an anticipation guide: What does it mean to be Swindle? If someone steals from you is it okay to steal the thing back? If you find something does it make it yours?

After Reading: Have your students pretend they write for the local newspaper, have they write an article about the story as if it really happened http://interactives.mped.org/view_interactive.aspx?id=110&title=

Writing: Have Students write their own story (related it to Griffin's story). Questions to spark writing; Have you ever had anything taken away from your? How would you get it back? If your most valuable possession was taken from you, how you get it back?