Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By Jeff Kinney
Published by Amulet Books
Copyright 2007

Accelerated Reader: 5.2

Suggested Delivery: Small Group Reading

REAL, COMICAL, HILARIOUS, DORKY, DOWN-TO-EARTH

Written in journal format, on lined paper with scribbles and doodles in the corners of the pages, we follow the life of character Greg, who is a middle school student and is frequently bullied by not only his classmates but his own two brothers.  We watch as Greg tries to avoid the “Cheese Touch,” getting enclosed by teenagers on Halloween, doesn’t get the video game he wants on Christmas and is drifting apart from his best friend, all while trying to survive middle school.  In the end, despite a falling out with his best friend Rowley, they reunite and we continue to follow Greg throughout other books within the series. 

Official Website of a Wimpy Kid

The official website keeps you updated on everything you need to know about the Wimpy Kid series.  Sections include news, the latest, the author, the books and awards won by the series.  There’s a section which lists the dates and places of appearances by Jeff Kinney and a sneak peek of what he’s working on next. 

Teach Net

This site has great language art lessons.  Also, a writing lesson plan which will correspond well with this novel. 

VOCAB: Fuss, Temperament, Promotion, Blubbering, Foiled, Dignity, Confer, Degrade, Campaign, Regimen

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book during anti-bullying week to express the importance of respect and treating those the way you want to be treated.

-Use this book as a language arts selection.  Kids are drawn to this series and this novel could spike many interests within the class and get the students excited about reading.

-Use this book to expose children to the new era of graphic novels. 

Before: Students will be given a research project in which they will use computers to find at least 3 graphic novels for their appropriate age and grade level.  Then, as a whole class, students will share what they found.  It will also be interesting to see how many students chose Diary of a Wimpy Kid as an option. 

During: Students will use partner reading to read the book.  This is when two students are paired together, one reads while the other listens and takes notes.  Then they switch.  Each time this method is used, students will complete a paragraph summary to hand into the teacher using the notes they have taken. 

After: Students will create a collage individually to represent either the book as a whole or their favorite character.  Provide students with magazines to clip items from as well as online resources or other media. 

Writing:  Using the link above, students will create a three dimensional book report.  In addition, they will include a written piece of what their opinion of the book was, whether or not they liked it and why or why they would not read it again.