The Beetle Book

The Beetle Book

By Steve Jenkins

Published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Copyright 2012

The Beetle Book takes you through the anatomy and life of different beetles around the world. It talks about the parts of the beetle, what they eat, how they survive and what conditions they live in.

Educational, Informative, Creepy, Real, Fascinating 

  Reading Level/Lexile

6th Grade, 4th month/920L

Suggested Delivery

Read Aloud/Group

Electronic Resources

 http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/

This is the website of the author, Steve Jenkins. The website provides information about the author, his books, how to create a book, a gallery, and science information. This will help the students learn more about the author and his motivation for writing the book.

 http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/hmh/site/hmhbooks/

 This is the publishers website. This will allow students to explore other books that this publishing company has put on bookshelves. They have the website categorized by books, authors or children's books to make it easier to navigate. 

Teaching Suggestions

1. Use this book as a part of a science lesson.

2.  Use this book to talk about how you can set up books in different ways.

3. Teachers can use this book when talking about the life cycle.
 

Vocabulary

1. Antenna

2. exoskeleton

3. Coleopterist

4. Adaptations

5. Larva

6. pupa

Before Reading

The students will receive a K-W-L chart and before they read they will be expected to fill out the "K" column. Under this column they will write any information they know about beetles. They will also fill out the "W" column, where they will write what they want to know about beetles. 

During Reading
While the students read they will write down the facts they find most interesting about the book. They will also answer any of the questions they asked in the "W" column. They will write this information in the "L" column.
 

After Reading
After reading the students will get into groups of two or three, where they will share the questions they had and the facts that they learned from the reading. 
 

Writing Activity
The students will be asked to write their own bug book that is set up similar to the book they read. They will pick an insect and then research that insect. They will then share their book with the class.

Jenkins, S. (2012). The Beetle Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. 

Team Moon

Team Moon

By Catherine Thimmesh

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company

Copyright 2011  

 Team Moon tells the story of what happened behind the scenes of landing Apollo 11 on the moon. It goes through the obstacles and challenges that every person had to encounter from the time they started building Apollo 11 until the time it landed in the ocean. It covers the problems from the space suits, to the false alarms, to the gas problems that the spacecraft encountered. 

Informational, Intriguing, Exploratory, Astonishing, Engaging 

Reading Level/Lexile
8th Grade/1030 
 

Suggested Delivery
Read Aloud/Partner
 

Electronic Resources
http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html 
This is NASA's website, where students can explore more about NASA and what they do. It also provides a lot of information on missions, future, past and present and news about NASA. The website also has a link to a student and teacher page as well.

 http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html
This is NASA's website specifically for Apollo 11 and their mission. This website will allow students to explore more about the mission and compare it to what they learned in the book.
 

Teaching Suggestions
1. Use this as an introduction to a space lesson.
2. Use this book for a lesson on future careers.
3. Teachers can use this book for a history lesson.
 

Vocabulary
 1. Lunar Module
2. Mission Control
3. Pressurized
4. Telescope
5. Consumables
6. glitch

Before Reading
Before reading the students will research the NASA website and tell the class five facts they learned about the program. 
 

During Reading
While reading the students will keep a vocabulary journal full of words that the teacher teaches them and also any words they come across while they read. They will then define the words, so that they are able to clarify and learn new vocabulary.
 

After Reading
After reading the students will have a class discussion on the book. They will be able to make points, ask questions, and state facts that they learned. This will allow students to hear and listen to other classmates perspectives.
 

Writing Activity 
Afterwards students will do a research project on the moon. They will be prompted with questions and they will have to draw the phases of the moon as well. They will be expected to write a two page paper on the moon.

 Thimmesh, C. (2006). Team Moon: how 400,000 people landed Apollo 11 on the moon. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co..

Drawing From Memory

Drawing From Memory

By Allen Say

Published by Scholastic Press

Copyright 2011  
 

Drawing From Memory is a book about Allen Say and his story of becoming a cartoonist. Allen Say grew up in Japan where parent's expectations of their children were high, so Allen's parents didn't accept his dream of becoming an artist. The story is written by Allen describing his life of becoming an artist and the struggles he ran into in the process.

Engaging, Realistic, Insightful, Easy to read, unique

Reading Level/Lexile

3rd Grade/560L

Suggested Delivery

Individual/Small Groups

Electronic Resources

 http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/allensay/author.shtml

This is the publishers website, but a link to the author Allen Say's information. His part of the website has information about himself, the books he has written, and other useful information for students to look through. 

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/

This is a website about Japan that is student friendly. This will be a very beneficial website for kids to explore before reading the book so that they are able to get a brief understanding of Japan and some of it's culture.

  

Teaching Suggestions

1. Introduce culture into the classroom.

2. Discuss different types of storytelling, for example a comic strip.
3. The teacher can use this as a lesson on achieving goals and dreams.

Vocabulary

1. Sensei

 2. Demonstrating

3. Injustice

4. Van Gogh

5. Karate
6. Japan

Before Reading

Before reading the students can research Japan. They will have questions about Japan, their culture, and vocabulary that they have to research using books from the library and websites given. This will allow students to become more familiar with Japan and it's culture. This will also help students understand Allen Say's story.

During Reading 

While reading students will compare and contrast Japanese Culture with American Culture using a T-Chart. 

After Reading/Writing Activity

After reading the students will create a comic strip describing a day in the life of themselves. This will allow students to tell a story in a different form. Students will also share their comic strips to the class and the teacher can explain that even in America everyone has a different way of doing things, like Allen Say did.

Say, A. (2011). Drawing from memory. New York: Scholastic Press.

Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway

By Melissa Sweet

Published By Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Copyright 2011

Balloons Over Broadway is a biography about Tony Sarg, a puppeteer who helped create the Macy's Day Parade. It follows Tony's life from the time he discovered his love for marionettes, to his travels to London and then to his start with Macy's. 

Interesting, Informational, Historical, Captivating, Inspirational

Reading Level/Lexile

5th Grade, 4th month/AD1000L

 

Suggested Delivery

Read Aloud

 

Electronic Resources

 http://melissasweet.net/

This is the author's website, which is an interactive and inviting webpage. This website provides information about the author, her contact information, other books she has written and also fun activities for students. 

http://social.macys.com/parade2012/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-parade-_-n-_-n

This is the Macy Day Parade website for the year 2012. This has information about the parade, photos, videos, routes and even games. This allows the students to become more familiar with the parade and what it's like today.

Teaching Suggestions

1. Use this book for a history lesson.

2. Teach students how to use a timeline, by tracking the life of Tony Sarg.
3. The teacher can use this book to discuss the Macy's Day Parade the week of Thanksgiving, a tradition of the United States. 

 

Vocabulary

1. Marionette

2. Parade 

3. Helium

4. Articulate

5. Immigrants
6. Inspiration

 

Before Reading

Before reading the book the teacher can show a short video of the Macy's day parade from the previous year. The teacher will ask the kids to comment out loud about what they like and what they are fascinated about. 

 

During Reading

 While reading the book the students and the teacher will create a timeline together, they will track the life of Tony Sarg. This allows the students to learn about a timeline and how it works, they are also able to track the story.

After Reading/Writing Activity 

After reading the book the students will write about the differences they see in the book and the parade that happens today. They can add pictures to illustrate the difference as well.

 Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway. New York: Houghton Mifflin..

Sylvia and Aki

Sylvia and Aki

By: Winifred Conkling

  Published By Tricycle Press

Copyright 2011

Sylvia and Aki are two girls that are facing discrimination because of events occurring in the United States. Aki is sent away to an interment camp after Pearl Harbor and Sylvia and her family lease Aki's families house while they are gone. Because of these events Sylvia and Aki soon learn about each other and become friends.

Historical, Fate, Motivational, Inspiring, Touching

Reading Level/Lexile

4th Grade, 6th month/760L  

Suggested Delivery

Independent/Partner

 

Electronic Resources

 http://www.winifredconkling.com/index.html

This is the authors website that provides information about herself, the books she has written and contact information. This story is also based on a true story so there are pictures of the characters and of the interment camps. This allows the students to get a realistic look at what really happened.

 http://riverabookaward.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/sylvia-and-aki-2012-winner/

 This is the website for the award that Sylvia & Aki won, the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award. This allows the students to explore other books that won the same award and they are able to learn more about this award as well. 

Teaching Suggestions

1. Teach about equal rights and discrimination.

2. Use this book as a lesson about Pearl Harbor.
3. The teacher can use this book to talk about friendships and pen pals.

 

Vocabulary

1. Interment Camp

2. Prejudice

3. Discrimination

4. Equal Rights

5. Segregation 
6. Equality

 

Before Reading

Before reading the story the teacher can introduce Pearl Harbor and what happened on that day. This will allow the students to understand more of Aki's story and what happened with her being a Japanese American.

During Reading

During reading the students can write down their questions as they read, questions about Pearl Harbor or the segregation of the schools. This will allow them to think outside the box and clear up any confusion they may have.

After Reading

After the students read they will have a book discussion where they will ask and answer any questions they had in the book. The teacher will work as a monitor and help clarify any confusion the students may have. This will allow the students to open their mind more to the book and see how their fellow classmates interpreted the book. 

 

Writing Activity

 After discussing the book as a class the students will then write a reflection on the book. They will write their own summary, a reflection on how they felt while reading the book and they will write about how they still see these problems today and how it makes them feel.

 Conkling, W. (2011). Sylvia and Aki. Berkeley: Tricycle Press.

Macaroni Boy

Macaroni Boy
By: Katherine Ayres
Published by Delacorte Press
Copyright 2003

Macaroni Boy is a book based on issues that occurred during the great depression in Philadelphia. The book focuses in on the life of Mike Costa, a sixth grader, who's family owns a food warehouse that is struggling due to the depression. But Mike starts to notice something strange when hobos and rats start dying in the street. Michael also becomes concerned when his Grandpap is starting to have the same symptoms as the hobos. So he goes on a search for the cause of the deaths and sickness, using the rats he captures in the basement of the warehouse. Mike runs into troubles and bullies on the way but he soon discovers what the problem is. 

Historical, Detailed, Quick, Humorous, Realistic

Reading Level/Lexile
4th Grade, 1st month/700L

Suggested Delivery
Independent Read, Small Group

Electronic Resources
  http://www.katherineayres.com/  
This is the authors main website where she posts all books she has written including poetry books as well.  This website also has updated information about the author, her blog, teacher tools, and ways you can contact the author. This allows the students to learn more about the author and her other pieces of work.

http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/GreatDepression.html
This website describes what the Great Depression was and what happened during this time period. This will allow students to learn more about this historic time and be able to relate more to the story and Mike Costa. 

Teaching Suggestions
 1. This book can be used to teach the class about the Great Depression.
2. This book can be used to teach kids about bullying and the negativity that comes with it.
3. The book can be used as an independent read for advance students.  

Vocabulary
1. depression
2. vandalism
3. shantytown
4. hobos
5. famished
6. Great Depression

Before Reading
The students will do a research project on the Great Depression, which focuses mainly on hunger. They will have to come up interesting facts about this time period that they will then share with the entire class. 
 
During Reading
During reading the students will draw a comic strip of the book, with each picture being a scene within the chapter. This will allow the students to focus in on the important topic in that chapter and it will also help the students who struggle with comprehension, because it will allow them to follow the story line.

Writing Activity/After Reading
After reading the book the students will break into small groups and write a short story on "Macaroni Boy" in Andy Simms point of view. This will allow the students to look in a different perspective but they will have to use the same story and plot.    
  

Ayres, K. (2003). Macaroni boy. New York: Delacorte Press.

Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt
By: Jack Gantos 
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux
Copyright 2011 
2012 Newbery Medal Winner

Dead End in Norvelt is about a boy, Jack, who is grounded for "life" by both of his parents. But what he thought would be a boring summer turned into a very exciting and interesting one. His neighbor, Mrs. Volker, asked him to help her out because with her arthritic hands she was unable to write the obituaries for the town anymore. Soon after he started he noticed that the old people of Norvelt were dropping like flies and they could not figure out why, until the suspicions grew stronger and people of the town wanted to get to the bottom of it. 

Suspenseful, Historic, Funny, Descriptive, Different

Reading Level/Lexile 
6th Grade, 3rd month/920L

Suggested Delivery
Independent Read

Electronic Resources
  http://www.jackgantos.com/
This is the authors website which provides information on the book, Dead End in Norvelt, other books he has written and also information about the author himself. This website is very user friendly and will allow the students to research more about Jack Gantos and his other work.

http://www.biography.com/people/eleanor-roosevelt-9463366
This is a website that focuses on Eleanor Roosevelt, who was a main focus in the book. This website will allow the students to learn more about Eleanor and her accomplishments in history. This way they will be familiar with her as a person and they will be able to relate to the story a little more. 

Teaching Suggestions
1.  A teacher can use this book as an introduction to a history lesson on Eleanor Roosevelt.
2. A teacher can use this book for a book report.
3. A teacher can use this book as the last book of the year to talk about the summer.


Vocabulary
1. sinister
2. carnage
3. barter
4. feral
5. tirade
6. restorative

Before Reading
The students will have to research Eleanor Roosevelt and create their own biography on her life. They will use books at the library and some reliable internet resources. Their final project will have a hand drawn portrait of Mrs. Roosevelt, information about her life, and a works cited. This will allow the students to become familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt, because throughout the book she is referenced.

During Reading
The students will keep a vocabulary journal while they are reading the book. They will write down words that are unfamiliar, words that they have seen but aren't sure of the definition and other words they would like to learn the correct definition of. After reading the chapter they will use a dictionary and write down the definition in their own journal and write a sentence using the word. 

After Reading
After the students read this book they will discuss it within small groups. They will be given a few prompt questions but are expected to branch off those questions and create a discussion regarding the conflict in the book, character relationships and other topics. 

Writing Activity
The students will write about their own summer adventure. It can either be fictional or nonfictional and discuss an adventure they would have if they were grounded for the whole entire summer.    

 

Gantos, J. (2011). Dead End in Norvelt. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.