Reader Response

Lincoln: A Photobiography

2021-03-10T19:07:00.002-08:00

Genre: Biography /Age Group:8-12

Freedman, R. (1988). Lincoln, a photobiography: Illustrated with photographs and prints. New York: Scholastic.

I think that its great that this kind of book exist because it reaches a different kind of audience than just a plain biography with just words would. I think it opens up the window of who it interests and it starts getting discussions started sooner in life.

This book was set up so wonderfully, the pictures where put in place that complimented the writing really well. I also thought that the way the book was written was also great, the book gave a lot of information but was written so that it could be easliy understood and didn't become too overwhelming.

Students will be able to read a picture and describe the events taking place. What was Abraham Lincoln's greatest achievement? Why do you think Lincoln wanted to change the way that the country was headed? Why do you think people opposed his ideas? Ca Content- 7.Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting). Students will select a picture in the book and select a paragraph from the book that best explains what is happening.

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/lincoln-memorial/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiyrVM9EeAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkuskEPB6e0

The Hate You Give

2021-03-10T18:48:00.002-08:00

Genre: Young Adult Fiction /Age Group: 12 and up

Thomas, A., & Thomas, A. (2017). The Hate you give. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins.

I think that this book will deal with racist topics and uncomfortable situations. I am a little biased because I did remember seeing the trailer for this book that was made into a movie, the movie looked good but also sad. I hope that this book will be entertaining but also teach me something.

After reading this book I thought that it was great and eye opening. The writing style is great for the audience that it is targeting and also the characters only add tot he story and grip the audience. I thought that by including all the charters it really made the reader visualize the story even more and it gave the story more life.

Students will have an open discussion on times when they have witnessed or felt discriminated against. What do you think that Starr should have done differently when discussion the shooting? Do you think that her friends from the prep school really understood what it meant to her that her friend died? Why was Starr so upset that Hailey said all those racist remarks towards her? CA Content Standards-6.Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described. Come up with a different ending from the point of view of another character from the story.

https://happytoddlerplaytime.com/20-anti-racism-activities-for-kids/

https://nmaahc.si.edu/about/news/national-museum-african-american-history-and-culture-releases-talking-about-race-web

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxNv9a8eDVo

A Game for Swallows

2021-02-24T18:38:00.004-08:00

Genre: Graphic Novel/ Age group: 12-17 years old

Abirached, Z. (2012). A game for swallows: To die, to leave, to return. New York: Graphic Universe.

I thought that the author did a great job on the artwork and also on really making the reader feel like they where also a part of the story. I thought that the book was going to end really bad, like the parents dying trying to get back to their children. It didn't end up that bad but a bomb did make the family leave their home and their circle of friends and family.

The story centered on two young children who live in Beirut during the 1980's when their was a war going on. The art work was so great in this novel that you could feel like you where really in the story with them. The work was in black and white and that was so the reader could feel what the people in the story where going through, because they didn't have any power at all, so it was always dark. It also did a good job at showing you how scary and dangerous it was to go out at night and have to dodge the sniper that was killing everybody. I also loved the fact that the book centered around family and a close knit community, it showed that even in a time of war people will still be their for each other.

Students will create a one page continuation to the story in their own style. Why do you think that the kids were not more afraid that their parents were not coming home? Do you think that the people only helped the children so they could be safe? Why or why not? What do you think you would have done if you where in the kids situation? Standard: 3.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions). Students will choose a character from the book and make a graphic novel based around their life.

https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=31642

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Beirut

https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2015/07/06/a-child-friendly-introduction-to-lebanon/

The Giver

2021-02-24T17:56:00.002-08:00

Genre: Science Fiction/ Age Group: 14 and older

Lowry, L. (1993). The giver. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

When reading this book I thought that the ending would come out a little different. Though the main character is just a boy I thought that there would be more of a fight against the "normal" that was his community. I also though that more people would join his fight for a better future. Although I do like endings that leave the door open for more, I did feel like I wanted to keep reading more but there was no more left. In the end I guess that is what makes a good book great.

The Giver is set in a dystopian future, where everybody is the same, no different thoughts, ideas, actions and even color is the same. Although it makes for a "peaceful" life, it also makes for a boring, non-thinkable life. Suddenly there is a little boy who starts to think for himself and wants answers for the life he his living in. Then he gets the honor of becoming the historian for his community, they get all the information and memories of everybody that is past and present. This opens up his world and then he starts to question the way that his people live. I thought that this was a great way to tell the story of what would happen if we all become the same, which is what some people want. The fact that the author put so much time into describing a dull boring world, and he did it so vividly, makes this book a great one and it opens the readers up to discussion with each other.

Students will list reasons why it is good to be different, what makes them special. Why do you think that Jonas choose to take the baby with him and run away? Why didn't he just go alone? Why do you think that grey was the chosen color for all the people? Standard 4.3- 3. Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text. Students will compare and contrast the events of the book "The Giver" and also events that took place in the American history, they will discuss if being like the people in the giver would have changed history.

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/giver-lesson-plan/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaNZEknTSk4

https://prestoplans.com/2017/01/13/giver-creative-class-activities/

Wonder

2021-01-30T21:46:00.002-08:00

Genre: Fiction / Age Group: 8-12

Palacio, R. J. (2012). Wonder. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

This book was amazing I really enjoyed it and found that all the characters had very rich story lines. There are many grown ups in this book that really helped Augie the main character, get through his school career with hope and encouragement. I hope that one day I can be this ray of light for my students. I think that many children are going to read this book and get inspired to be kind to one another no matter what.

This book is set in rural American in modern times and is centered around a young boy who was born with a facial deformity. He finally gets to go to school where he and those around him face adversities that they are not used to. I love the style of this book because you get to read the different mind sets that the characters where going through not just Augie's. It has a lot of detail but not enough to overwhelm the reader. It is told through first person accounts so the book is that of a young child. The main theme in this book is kindness and how we can all be that for our lives.

Students will be able to identify three reasons why to choose kindness and turn it in at the end of the class. Why do you think Augie's sister pushed him to go back to school? Do you think that Jake says mean things about Augie was right? why? What would you have done if someone like Augie came to school? Standard-3.2 Identify the main problem or conflict of the plot and explain how it is resolved. Kids will get into groups and discuss a conflict from the book that is assigned to them. They will then talk about what the person did wrong and how it can be turned around into something positive. The kids will then present their resolution to the class.

https://wonderthebook.com/for-teachers

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wonder-Novel-Study-Distance-Learning-Interactive-Notebook-RJ-Palacio-3084784?utm_source=Pinterest+Promo&utm_campaign=StudentSavvy+Wonder+Pin&pp=1

https://ideas.demco.com/blog/8-simple-activities-to-teach-kindness/

The Talking Eggs

2021-01-30T21:03:00.008-08:00

Genre: Fiction Age Group: 4-8

D., S. S., & Pinkney, J. (1989). The talking eggs. Bodley Head.

This book subtly touched on the main main character Blanche as having a learning disability, that lead her mom and sister to be mean and cruel to her. The book highlighted how people with disabilities where treated before modern times, I thought that it did a very good job at showing how people could be cruel and insensitive at others because they are different. When reading this book to children I would stop and ask them if that's how they think that people should be treated, I would then ask them to stop and think about how someone made them feel when they might have been treated this way, and then have them talk about why it is important to be nice to one another.

I thought that the plot was well done but I wish that they could showed the little girl who was treated cruel actually getting treated fairly and being happy at home with her mom and sister, I also thought that they could done a better job at the ending, I felt like it just ended abruptly and didn't give the reader a sense of end and closure. The point of view in this book is third person, it mostly tells of the little girl side but also include a little bit of he sister and tiny bit of the mom. The time period of this seems like it is in the early 40's and it is set in a high wooded area, poor area. The style and theme are laid back and not formal, the pictures add to that by being free hand not not rigid but rather free flowing.

Students will be able to identify and correct bad behavior within a group setting after reading the book. Why are Blanches relatives so mean to her? Why did the old lady help Blanche and not her sister? Why did the old lady not want the girls to make fun of her animals? Standard "2.6 Recognize cause-and-effect relationships in a text- The students will read the book and in groups they will list all the actions and reactions in the book. the students will then draw out and retell one of those scenes so that it comes out more positive.

Youtube video

https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-kids-talk-about-learning-disabilities/

https://blog.brookespublishing.com/5-activities-for-building-empathy-in-your-students/

The Radiant Child

2021-01-30T21:03:00.007-08:00

Genre: Non-Fiction Age Group: 4-8

Steptoe, J. (2017). Radiant Child. Hachette Australia.

I related to this book because I think I like many others have had really hard times in our lives that we have to fight through and decide that we will keep moving and fighting to become what we want to be in life. I think that this book did a really good job at showing the hard ships that Michel had to go through, but at the end of it he was a great artist and that struck a cord in me that we could all become "great artist".

This book is centered around a little boy who wants to grow up and become a great artist, his mom is his main supporter but she gets sick and the little boy starts to get discouraged but keeps pushing on for his mother. The story is rich and inspiring, it is a real story the encourages children to keep pursuing their dreams even though they go through hard ships. The book is based in various places over New York and it is the late 70's, the style of the book is very artsy and alive with color, it is in the same style as the real artist work. The book is told in the third-person point of view.

Students will be able to create their own piece of art work with various avenues in 20 min. Why do you think that Michel kept making art even though he wanted to quit? Do you think that Michel could have done something else besides art? What lesson do you think Michel learned? Standard-2.8 Follow two-step written instructions. Kids will selected different kinds of art materials and create one of a kind art, no right or wrong ways.

http://www.literaryhoots.com/2017/02/15-fun-activities-for-kids-when-reading.html

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Radiant-Child-by-Javaka-Steptoe-Lesson-Plan-and-Activities-4384675?st=ecdfa9eb6f237cb6326a2c5fd0198674

https://artclasscurator.com/abstract-art-lesson/