Julie of the Wolves
By Jean Craighead George
Published by Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright 1972

Accelerated Reader: 6.4

Suggested Delivery: Small Group Reading

SPECTACULAR, HEART-WARMING, CLASSIC, MOVING, ENTRANCING

Miyax, whose English name is Julie, is a thirteen year old eskimo living in Barrow Alaska.  There, she lives with her husband but runs off into the frozen Tundra alone to hide from her undesirable lifestyle.  Heading to San Francisco to meet her pen pal Amy, Miyax runs into many adventures such as befriending a pack of wolves and living amongst them.  The story then flashes back to when Miyax’s father sent her away to school while he strangely disappeared in the meantime.  On the verge of civilization, Miyax finds out that her beloved wolf is shot to death and agrees to stay away from evolution until she hears her father is still alive.  Miyax then battles whether she will be Miyax or Julie in this new life she has created. 

Julie of the Wolves Trailer

This movie clip contains the trailer for the “Julie of the Wolves” movie.  This can be played prior to reading the novel to interest the students in the plot. 

Fun Facts

This PDF document is 22 pages of fun facts about the book, the background and the setting of Alaska.  Endless pages of activities, lesson plans and discussion questions make this site a great place to visit before, during or after reading the novel. 

VOCAB: Incorrigible, Pondered, Nomadic, Immobile, Diligently, Menacingly, Drastically, Harmonized, Laborious

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book to stress the importance of family.  This could be used in a social studies lesson to support the idea of scope and sequence for level 2-family. 

-Use this book to track Miyax’s journey through the cold, this could be used for a geography lesson.

-Use this book to teach students about different cultures such as Miyax’s eskimo ways.

Before: Being disconnected from the other US states, student’s knowledge of Alaska may be vague or non-existent.  Have students research facts about Alaska using different types of media including magazines, computers and encyclopedias. 

During: While reading the novel, have students keep a journal of Miyax adventure.  For each chapter have students record a summary as well as any important events that happened during that chapter.  Students may also record their feelings about the book in the margins.  This will help students keep a record of the main parts of the novel.

After: Students will complete an exit slip at the end of the unit answer the question of: What is the moral of the story?  What life lesson did you learn?  Sttudents will be asked to complete a minimum of a paragraph for this response.  The teacher may choose to share these allowed anonymously. 

Writing: Students will design and write out a postcard to send to Miyax.  Students will be able to express their thoughts and opinions to her and what they would have done in her situation.  This is a good text-to-self connection when asking the students to help Miyax and give her advice based off of experiences they have had.

Anne Frank and the Children of the Holocaust
By Carol Ann Lee
Published by Puffin Books
Copyright 2006

Accelerated Reader: 7.3

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

FACTUAL, GRUESOME, INFORMATIVE, ENLIGHTENING, HYPNOTIC

Given the subject matter and advanced reading level, this read aloud book for the older elementary students follows the entirety of Anne Frank’s life, before the Holocaust.  Tales of her father Otto’s childhood are included as well as detailed descriptions of the concentration camps, journal entries, pictures and factual information which will educate students on the horrific event that scared the world forever.  Author Lee includes information on the era as well as the lifestyles of the family pre-Holocaust, a view which is not normally explored.  This book is jam packed with evidence that this was one of the most devastating occurrences to grace the planet. 

Official Site of Anne Frank

This site focused on the girl in hiding, highlights Anne Frank’s life, and includes fast facts about her family members, about the war and other important aspects to Anne’s life.  Plus, information about the museum, pictures and links to other inspiring sites. 

Holocaust Facts

These fast facts about the Holocaust will help clarify who, what, where, when and why in ten quick details.  The site also includes dozens of links to other kid friendly websites focused on related topics to the Holocaust such as Anne Frank, Museum of Jewish Heritage and more. 

VOCAB: Jewish, Deliberately, Ethnic, Nazi, Forbidden, Privileged, Elegant, Synagogue, Refugees, Pfeffer, Commandant, Deportations

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book to discuss the Holocaust.

-Use this book in social studies to explain the consequences of war and past outcomes such as the Holocaust.

-Use this book in language arts to teach point of view and inspire the students to write an entry in Anne Frank’s perspective. 

Before: Create a KWL chart.  Have students fill in what they know about Anne Frank and the Holocaust and what they’d like to know.  At the completion of the book, have them fill in what they have learned. 

During: While reading this novel, keep a classroom timeline of both events within Anne’s life as well as events happening around her.  Display these lifesize timelines against the wall or on a bulletin board.  Have students discuss what occurences they want to put on the timeline and where using post-it notes or thumbtacking index cards. 

After: Each student will receive a large sheet of paper where they will draw a picture at the bottom.  A thought bubble will open up space for children to draw thoughts and ideas which may be going through Anne’s mind.  A discussion or short essay will follow to further understand what messages the children are trying to convey and explain. 

Writing: This activity challenges gender roles.  Have students re-write a scene that may have occurred differently if the main character was in fact male.  Further research may be completed if desired. 

Because of Winn-Dixie
By Kate Dicamillo
Published by Candlewick Press
Copyright 2000

Accelerated Reader: 3.9

Suggested Delivery: Independent Reading

LOVING, HONEST, HEART-WARMING, AUTHENTIC, AFFECTIONATE

After causing chaos inside of a Winn-Dixie supermarket, this scruffy dog is found by a girl new to town and is saved from any sort of trouble that was headed his way.  Opal, who just moved to Florida with her preacher father, claims the dog as her own and names him after the store.  After much convincing, the preacher allows Opal to keep Winn-Dixie, who becomes a very closely-knit member of their family.  Winn-Dixie’s charm helps Opal become friends with everyone they encounter.  This includes Gloria Dump, the witch down the street, Franny Block, the librarian, Otis, the pet shop owner and other characters such as the Dewberry boys, Sweetie Pie Thomas and pinch faced Amanda Wilkinson.  Opal decides to throw a party to bring everyone together but all goes south when Winn-Dixie runs away in the thunderstorm.  When he is finally found, everyone realizes just exactly how much they love Winn-Dixie and his unkempt charm. 

Timeline Generator

Found at readthinkwrite.org, this timeline feature allows students to organize the main events within the text.  This will be helpful when trying to summarize the book, remember important actions and keeping events in order of occurrence.  Students will complete their timeline during reading. 

Because of Winn-Dixie In Depth

This extremely detailed site includes everything related to the novel including recipes for dog biscuits and egg salad sandwiches, related links to facts about Florida, Winn-Dixie grocery markets and informative dog breed sites.  Also, Kate Dicamillo’s own site, discussion questions and even a link to the feature film.  

VOCAB: Produce, Missionary, Sermon, Distracted, Constellation, Nudge, Insulted, Intended, Exception

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book as an example for an anti-bullying campaign and how one shouldn’t “read a book by its cover”.

-Use this book to discuss pets student’s may have or had or wish to have.  Talk about how to care for pets and animal rights.   

-Use this book to further discuss family structures, relationships and issues.

Before: In small groups, have students play a matching game with vocabulary words that will be introduced while reading the book.  This game will consist of cards with the definition and the word and like a game of memory, students will take turns flipping over the cards trying to make a match.  This will expose students to words they may not know and give them hands on experience to better understand the meaning.  This will also benefit the students pre-reading the novel. 

During: While reading the novel, have students write a paragraph of their thoughts, similar experiences and feelings at the end of each chapter.  For homework, students will take home someone else’s journal and respond to what they have written. 

After: The preacher described Opal’s mother with ten enthralling facts which he used to remember her by.  Have students complete a poster with ten interesting facts about themselves.  This would be a great beginning of the year activity or can even be tied into social studies scope and sequence standards.  You could also prepare a picnic/party inside the classroom like Opal did at Gloria Dump’s and share their fun facts about themselves. 

Writing: There are several fun and exciting characters in this novel.  Have students choose one they would want to be friends with in real life and have them write an essay on why they chose this person or animal. 

Shadow of a Bull
By Maia Wojciechowska
Published by Atheneum Books
Copyright 1964

Accelerated Reader: 5.5

Suggested Delivery: Small Group Reading

THRILLING, ELABORATE, ELECTRIFYING, CULTURAL, EYE-OPENING

This classic, written by Maia Wojciechowska, takes place in the city of Archangel Spain where bull fighting is a favored sport.  Juan Olivar, Spain’s most renowned matador, is killed by a bull, leaving his three year old son Manolo only a distant memory of his father.  Growing up in his shadow, Manolo is expected to fight a bull at the early age of twelve, just like his very own father did.  Manolo is projected to become the next best bullfighter and have the heart of a matador.  The only thing is, is Manolo does not have the courage that his father had and secretly dreads becoming a bull fighter.  After witnessing a matador being gouged by a bull’s horn, Manolo finds his calling and hopes to become a doctor.  However, Manolo’s friend Juan is very interested in becoming a fighter so Manolo trains him in secret.  In the end, Manolo cannot kill the bull he was set out to fight and gives the ring to Juan, who lives up to his dream while Manolo lives up to his own.  The same doctor Manolo encountered while he witnessed the goring offers Manolo an apprenticeship. 

Shadow of a Bull Trailer

This book trailer, to be played before reading the novel, will introduce the novel in a fun and exciting way.  While listening to a Spanish melody, the trailer will view Spain and its culture, and lead into the exciting details of Shadow of a Bull leaving the students intrigued and interested in reading the book. 

Post-Novel Quiz

Students will be answering multiple choice questions from information they’ve acquired after reading the novel.  Moving through all the questions, you will test your knowledge of Spanish bullfighting and other cultural aspects. 

VOCAB: Gored, Amputation, Pamphlets, Feebly, Listlessly, Infirmary

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book in social studies to explore foreign countries such as Spain and learn how their lifestyles differ from those in America.

-Use this book as an introduction to sports in other countries and further promote exercise in your student’s day to day lives.

-Use this book in language arts as an example of inferential comprehension.  Discuss themes that are present besides the obvious. 

Before: Before reading the novel, have students create prior knowledge by having reading newspaper or magazine articles that relate to content within the book.  Several Spanish magazines have matador articles, photocopy them, have students read them and then discuss what they have read. 

During: Provide students with a blank notecard to use as a bookmark for every chapter.  Have them write questions or comments they have as they read.  In class, this will provide plenty of material for discussions and clarifications in case students are left puzzled by what they are reading.

After: Students will be asked to design a new cover for the novel!  This is a fun way for teachers to assess what students think are the most important parts of the book.  Like all books, a synopsis must be included either on the back or inside cover. 

Writing: This activity may integrate social studies.  Because this story is based in Spain, many cultural differences are evident.  Have students write as the main character taking a trip to America for the first time.  What do you notice is different?  What do you notice about American sports?  What is the same?  Do you like it here? 

Island of the Blue Dolphins
By Scott O’Dell
Published by Dell Publishing
Copyright 1960

Accelerated Reader: 5.4

Suggested Delivery: Guided Reading

CULTURAL, EMOTIONAL, EXCITING, COURAGEOUS, BEAUTIFUL

Wonapeli, secretly known as Karana, lives on an island that is surrounded by flocks of wild dolphins.  Her tribe is run by her father, Chief Chowig, and he is a brave and stern man.  This story follows Karana throughout the island as she plays with the wild life and tends to her duties as a woman.  After a ship of white men arrive to hunt otter, a blood bath ends their trip and many are left dead, including Karana’s father.  After several new chiefs, the tribe has agreed to leave the island but Karana and her brother are mistakenly left behind.  After his death by wild dogs, Karana is left alone on the island to survive.  After befriending the leader of the wild dog pack, Karana lives peacefully on the island, doing what she can to stay alive. 

Native American Facts

This kid friendly website includes endless information about the Native American People.  Titled “Native American Facts for Kids,” this site has pictures and descriptions of Native American homes, hairstyles, tribes, names and clothing.  Students will look at this post-reading to observe the differences between the Natives in which they read about and the many other tribes they did not read about.

Island of the Blue Dolphins Film

This link contains the full 93 minute movie of Island of the Blue Islands.  Very true to the text, this movie is great to watch after the students have already read the novel.

Interactive Novel

In depth descriptions of the book are explored in this extremely interactive website.  Detailed drawings of some of the book’s main points reveal extra information, including the Aleuts, the ships involved, cave paintings, shelter and storytelling.  Each clickable feature includes valuable information as well as examples from the text which help connect the material.  

VOCAB: Clamor, Lure, Mourning, Omen, Scarce, Hasten, Snares, Wreckage, Rivals, Glimpse

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:
-Use this book to help create a bridge to a social studies unit involving Native Americans, their culture and their backgrounds.
-Use this book to explore survival and create a unit where students will plan what they will need to survive in the wilderness.
-Use this book in language arts as an example of good literature and ask the students to write their own short story of what they would do in Karana’s shoes. 

Before: On the board, place pictures of items that you may need to survive on an island.  This may include rope, matches, a supply of food, storage for water, weapons, etc.  Then, in small groups, have students decide what three items they would keep.  This will introduce the novel as well as work on team building and problem solving among the students.   

During: While reading the book, have students complete a map of the island.  This will not only challenge their creative side but will assess if they have been paying attention to the text or not.  Generally, the placement of objects will be similar between all the students.  Hang them up on a bulletin board to display them. 

After: This Scott O’Dell novel has several covers.  Provide pictures of each cover for the students and have them complete a fishbowl discussion debating which cover best represents the novel and why.

Writing:  Have students practice their writing skills by creating a journal entry from Rontu’s point of view.  Scenes to consider include when Karana shot Rontu, when he decided to befriend her or when he fought his old pack.  Questions which can be addressed include:

-What do you see?

-What do you feel?

-What are you thinking?

-What do you think Karana is thinking?

-What do you plan on doing next?

Students can also include illustrations with their work. 

Bud, Not Buddy
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Published by Delacorte Press
Copyright 1999

Accelerated Reader: 5.0

Suggested Delivery: Independent or Guided Reading

FASCINATING, AUDACIOUS, BOLD, ATTENTION-GRABBING, GENUINE

This brilliantly written novel focuses on the life of an eleven year old black boy during the Great Depression.  Flint Michigan is the backdrop for this child’s wild and crazy adventures.  Starting off in a boy’s home after losing his mother, Bud is placed into a home from which he escapes, not long after he beats up the child who lives there.  On the run, Bud finds himself spending lots of time at the library before he runs into Bugs, another boy from the home, and the two conjure up a plan to catch a train west.  After spending a night in Hooverville, the boys are separated and Bud finds himself on the search to find his father, a jazz icon.  While being attached at the hip with his valuable suitcase, Bud uses what’s inside to help find out that the man he once thought was his father is actually his grandfather. 

Comic Generator

Students will be able to create a comic using this interactive site and generate a character to add to the plot.

Virtual Venn Diagram

This interactive tool helps create a Venn Diagram which can be used during reading to contradict the lives of the students today and the way Buddy lived in the Great Depression. 

Fast Facts

This website includes several fast facts that will help students better understand the Great Depression.  Information about the president, the cause, the homeless, the economy and other variables affected by this phenomenon are all introduced in a kid friendly format.  Exploring this site before reading the novel will help provide a background of the setting. 

VOCAB: Loathsome, Britches, Union, Icebox, Hooverville, Labor organizers, Kin, Matrimonial, Pullman

TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:

-Use this book to support Black History Month in February.

-Use this book during your social studies lesson to take a closer look at the Great Depression and the 1930’s.

-Use this book to introduce different styles of music important to the United States including Jazz, Blues, Country and Hip Hop.  Students can research great musicians of each era and compare findings. 

Before: Students will complete an anticipation guide which will introduce them to several topics discussed in the novel including the Great Depression, Hooverville, racism, friendship and jazz. 

During:  Students will use a Venn Diagram to compare the lives of children today and the lives of children during the Great Depression.  Students will be able to see the huge differences in today’s society and the 1930’s using this implement. 

After:  After reading Bud, Not Buddy, students will be able to create a comic using the site above to generate a character to add to the plot.  They will then write a short summary explaining how adding this character may have changed the book. 

Writing:  Adding onto the post-reading activity, students will then write a journal entry as the new character they have created.  This is to ensure their understanding of the book.  They are to create a new scenario this character has gotten themselves into with the main character Buddy.

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.