Amelia Earhart This Broad Ocean
By Sarah Stewart Taylor and Ben Towle
Published by Disney/Hyperion Books
Copyright 2010

Accelerated Reader: 3.7

Suggested Delivery: Independent Reading

ADVENTUROUS, INSPIRING, MOTIVATIONAL, EXPLORATORY, STIRRING

Amelia Earhart’s journey is followed through Sarah Stewart Taylor and Ben Towle’s graphic novel, This Broad Ocean, where we follow Amelia through her struggle as a woman pilot.  Not allowing any man to step in the way of her and her big dreams, Amelia aspires to be the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.  Ambitious journalist, Grace, follows Amelia’s story in hopes of jump starting her own career and shadows the spunky and determined aviator through her voyages.  Illustrations help piece together Amelia’s 13 day adventure as she races to beat out two other woman pilots.  Flying out of Treppassey Newfoundland, we see Amelia fly through storms and over cities as she battles Mabel Boll and Thea Rasche to race to the finish across the Atlantic and become the first woman pilot to accomplish such an amazing task.  Years later, after Amelia’s plane has gone missing, we see Grace, still struggling to become what she had hoped for but still left with the memory of Amelia and how she stood as a strong, independent woman.  This story will leave you inspired and ready to touch the sky. 

The Official Site of Amelia Earhart

Before reading, student will visit The Official website of the daring and talented, young pilot, Amelia Earhart.  Including features such as her biography, quotes, picture gallery and achievements, this website includes fast facts, links to other Amelia sites and links to auctions that showcase Amelia Earhart’s triumphs and impact on the world.

Science Kids at Home

Science Kids at Home is a website designed for parents so they can continue learning outside of the classroom at home.  This link brings you to the kid friendly explanation of flight and how airplanes work along with activities and experiments to perform at home. 

VOCAB: Determination, Cheerio, Trespasses, Tension, Shipwrecks, Exclusive, Publisher, Telegram

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book to promote women who changed history during Women’s History Month.

-Use this book to calculate Amelia’s travel using geography, mathematics and time.

-Use this book to introduce inventions such as airplanes, electricity and the others along with when, who and why they were created. 

Before: Students will complete a KWL chart regarding Ms. Amelia Earhart.  They will address what they know, what they want to know and following the reading they will complete what they have learned.
During: Students will participate in a fishbowl discussion where they will discuss major points and questions they have about Amelia’s journey and her decisions.  Some open ended questions which will push the students to think outside of the box may include:
        -What makes Amelia Earhart brave?
        -How did this end up being a race for Amelia?  Do you think that pushed her?
        -What happened to the other woman who attempted to complete Amelia’s expedition? 
        -Would you want to be first at something?  What?
        -How do you think Amelia’s behavior differed from other woman during this time?
        -How has Grace changed by the end of the book?
After: Students will be asked to create a mobile which will illuminate six main points which the student believes to be most important.  Students will get to use their creativity to draw out their selection of main points and exhibit them to other classmates by hanging them around the room.  A discussion of why these main points were chosen will follow. 

Writing:

Like reporter Grace, students will write an article on the famous Amelia Earhart.  Students may present this as a newspaper article, interview, playwright, etc.