Beyond Book
Choice
AASL
October 2005
Presenters
Joan Arth, Sandi Cole,
Angela Rosheim, and Nance Wilcox
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
Title: Character Analysis
Objective: To have students think critically about the literary
element characterization.
Time Frame:
choose.)
Approximately 1 hour (depending on the book you
Materials needed: picture book (with strong main character),
computer, and Inspiration Software.
Description: Prior to reading: discuss how writers use their
five senses when creating books. Tell the students they are
going to put themselves in the “skin” of the main character.
Show the students the “character web.” Explain that they will
be creating a web based on the main character of the story.
Show the students an example of a web based on a character from
a story they have already heard.
After reading: students will go to the computer lab. As a
whole group do one or two “senses” together to get them started.
Explain that their answers must be complete sentences and
contain “evidence” from the story. Student should complete a
minimum of two examples each for at least three senses.
Title: Character Analysis-Because boxes
Objectives:
*To have students think critically about the literary element
characterization.
*To have students focus the “Six Trait Writing” element word
choice
Time Frame: Approximately 45 minutes (depending on the book you
choose)
Materials needed:
picture book, “Because Box” handout
Description:
*Prior to reading, discuss how writers use adjectives to make
their writing stronger. Discuss how we use adjectives to
describe other people. Give some examples such as Mrs. X is kind
because she brings vegetables from her garden to share.
*After reading, brainstorm words that would describe the main
character. Write them down. Pick one word and use it as an
example of how to complete the “because box.” Instruct students
to choose a different word from the board to complete their own
sheet.
ARTH
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
Title:
Thesaurus Sue
Objective: To practice using a Thesaurus so that it
can be used to improve diction in student writing.
Time Frame: 2 visits-1 hour each time
Materials Needed:
Session One-Set of Thesaurus’, “Words Too Good To
Forget” poster, kids in groups of 3 or 4, pencils,
crayons, and blank word cards.
Session Two-Thesaurus Rex by Laya Steinberg, copies of
Thesaurus Sue (based on Thesaurus Rex), set of
Thesaurus’, kids in groups of 4 or 5, crayons, and
pencils.
Description:
Session One-Students will sit on the floor with their
Thesaurus and go through talking points with the
teacher and LMS. Such as how it is similar to a
dictionary, what it could be used for, how to find the
words you want, and locating the antonyms. Then
challenge the kids to find words as quickly as they
can. We discussed that their words can also come from
their own brains as they learn new vocabulary words.
Discuss that they should only pick words for their
writing that they know and understand. Divide the
kids into groups and have them locate synonyms for the
boring old words you give them (Good, Nice, Pretty,
Fun, Great, Bad). They will write their synonyms on
the cards, come down to the floor as a group, and add
them to the poster.
Session Two-Students will quickly review the
Thesaurus. Read Thesaurus Rex to the kids and discuss
the good word choice options. Then read Thesaurus
Sue, divide kids into groups, and give directions for
the project. Kids will add synonyms and illustrations
to each page. Helpful hint: Give each group a
different color of clothing to draw on Sue, that way
you can tell which pages go together when you bind
them into a book.
ROSHEIM
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
Show Me the Show-Mes
Nominees for the Show Me Book Award in the State of
Missouri
Fishing Day
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
How I Became A Pirate
by Melinda Long
Bad Boys
by Margie Palatini
Jackalope
by Janet Stevens & Susan Stevens
Crummel
Jackalope
by Janet Stevens & Susan Stevens
Crummel
The Blizzard
by Betty Ren Wright
The Blizzard
by Betty Ren Wright
My Brother Martin
by Christine King Farris
My Brother Martin
by Christine King Farris
Boxes For Katje
by Candace Fleming
Boxes For Katje
by Candace Fleming
George Washington’s Teeth
by Deborah Chandra & Madeleine
Comora
Diary of A Worm
by Doreen Cronin
After reading the book, Fishing Day, by Andrea Davis
Pinkney, students make their own predictions about
what would happen if Reenie and Peter visited the
fishing hole again.
Students research pirates to determine whether the
statements given are fact or fiction.
Students use a dictionary to determine which animal
baby name goes with which picture.
Students study characteristics of a fable and pull
examples from the story that are representative of that
characteristic.
Students study characterization. They look at their
favorite character from the story and identify
characteristics of that character that help them
understand the story and the character as a whole.
Setting is important in developing a story. Students use a
T-chart to show differences between the story and the
present time.
Students use a T-chart to complete a CEI (claim,
evidence, and interpretation) about their own birthdays.
Students use a KWL chart on Martin Luther King.
Students create their own poem about themselves and
tell how they are like Martin Luther King.
After hearing the story about Katje and the gifts that
she and her neighbors received from people in Indiana,
students determine which gifts were wants and which
gifts were ones that Katje and her neighbors needed.
Students study the structure of the story or how the
story is organized. The students build the structure of
the story, Boxes For Katje, using a graphic organizer.
Students research and record interesting facts about
George Washington.
Students determine which information about worms in
this story is true verifying it against a nonfiction book
about worms.
COLE
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
LMC Consumer Consultants
Objectives:
ü Use keywords to find information.
ü Use features of an encyclopedia.
ü Use a graphic organizer for note taking.
Time Frame: 45-60 minutes
Materials:
l Animals (stuffed and puppets)
l Venn diagram handout
l Encyclopedias (general and specific)
Description:
Students will be “hired” as Consumer Consultants to examine the
librarian’s purchase of stuffed/puppet animals for the LMC. Their job will
be to find evidence to complete the Claim: The manufacturers did little
research, some research, or much research before he produced the animal.
Each student will observe the stuffed/puppet animal. Then using
encyclopedias, the student will locate information about the real life animal
counterpart. Similarities and differences will be noted on the Venn diagram.
When the notes are complete, the student will choose the best Claim based
on the information he discovered and then will write an Interpretation of
the claim to the library media specialist regarding recommendations for
future purchases.
WILCOX
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
Title:
Nonfiction Animal Magazines
Objective: To teach students to use the
research process to gain and dispense
information on an animal of their choice.
Time Frame:
10-12 days
Materials Needed: Big 6 research model, access
to online databases, online encyclopedias,
print encyclopedias, nonfiction materials,
Ranger Rick and ZooBook magazines, note taking
cards, and prepared magazine pages.
Description: Students will locate reference
materials and research an animal of their
Title: Burning Questions
Objectives:
*To use the parts of a nonfiction book.
*To teach students how to develop good questions.
*To introduce bibliography
Time Frame: Approximately 30 minutes as a followup to a whole group session where a fiction book
was shared. This activity was done with One-Dog
Canoe by Mary Casanova. It would work well with
The Mitten by Jan Brett or any other book that has
lots of animals.
Materials Needed: picture book, nonfiction books
about animals mentioned in the fiction book.
Writing paper.
Description:
*Prior to reading, discuss how even fiction writers
have to do research. Give some examples of how
research comes into play in stories. Examples: in
Helen Lester’s book, Tacky the Penguin, the setting
is accurate for where penguins live.
In One-Dog
Canoe, the animals are all native to MN, where the
author lives, etc.
*After reading, each student will be asked to
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
Up, Down, Over, and Under the Almanac
Objective:
3 Identify the types of information in an almanac. (charts, tables,
graphs, facts, statistics)
LESSON 1 – Introduction to Almanac
Time Frame: 45 minutes
Materials:
§ Set of World Almanacs
§ Overheads: Teacher Statistics A-D
§ “Animated Almanac” video from SVE
§ QAR Posters explaining Right There, Search & Find, Author & Me, On
My Own questions/statements.
Description:
After viewing the video and browsing through the almanacs, students
are reminded of the important elements of tables and graphs by looking at
the Teacher Statistics overheads. In small groups students will locate and
study the almanac information about roller coasters. Each group will write 5
True or False statements about roller coasters, with specific QAR
requirements. The LMS will type the T/F statements onto a handout for
next lesson.
LESSON 2- Zooming Through the Almanac Tables
Time Frame: 45 minutes
Materials:
§ Set of World Almanacs
§ Transparency of roller coaster page from World Almanac
§ QAR Posters explaining Right There, Search & Find, Author & Me, On
My Own questions/statements
§ Zooming Through the Almanac Tables handout (see Lesson 1)
Description:
Students will highlight what they learned in Lesson 1. The handout is
given to each student with the directions that they not only have to mark
the statements true or false, but must also make the false statements true.
WILCOX
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
Title: Encyclopedia Explorers
Objective: To introduce a primary
encyclopedia to second grade students
Time Frame: 1 hour
Materials Needed:
2 sets of primary encyclopedias, activity
sheet, pencils
Description:
Students are given an encyclopedia
as they come in the LMC and then sit in a large circle.
Give the kids about 3 minutes to explore their encyclopedia
volume. They will figure out that all their books are
different. This will launch the conversation into talking
about sets and volume numbers. Continue to point out the
important elements of an encyclopedia that you wish to hit
on. And ask kids to find them with you.
*Guide Words
*Captions
*Alphabetical order
*Section headings
*Page numbers
*Maps
*Entry words
*Index or lack of
*Illustration/photo differences
After they are familiar with the encyclopedia, ask them
to each find an animal to learn more about and read the
text silently. Then ask them to reread the text and
determine two facts they wish to share with a partner.
Tell them they will need to be able to retell the fact
in their own words, not reread it from the book word for
word. Keep stating that good researchers read first!
Give time to share their facts. Go over the activity
sheet, showing a quality example. Kids go back to
tables and pick any topic in the encyclopedia that they
would like to learn more about!
ROSHEIM
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
Weather
Wise
Objectives:
ü
ü
ü
ü
Use the parts of a book to locate information.
Describe the contents of a nonfiction book as factual material.
Identify the encyclopedia as a source of information.
Compose relevant information to obtain information.
Lesson 1 – Nonfiction Elements Wheel
Time: 45 minutes
Materials:
• Wilcox Winder poster
• Laminated text element strips + tape
• Nonfiction Elements Wheel
Description:
The students will review the difference between nonfiction and fiction. Students
receive the Nonfiction Elements Wheel and read through the definitions of each element.
LMS reveals poster and explains Stop-Drop-Roll. Students match text element strips to
same element on poster.
Lesson 2 – Table of Contents and Index
Time: 30 minutes
Materials:
• Why does Lightning Strike? Questions Kids Ask About Weather
by Terry Martin + laminated poster of its T of C
• Electrical Storms by Liza N. Burby
• Handouts of Table of Contents/index from each
Description:
Students will predict keywords and answers to questions about the chapter titles
and index words.
Lesson 3 – Weather Wise Centers
Time: 2 one hour sessions
Materials:
• Weather Wise booklet & books that accompany Weather Wise booklet
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
• Nonfiction Elements Wheel
Description:
Students rotate through weather center tables, answering Weather Wise booklet
questions.
WILCOX
Show Me Missouri
in the Almanac
Objective:
3 Identify the types of information in
an almanac. (charts, tables, graphs,
facts, statistics)
Time: 1 hour (after Introduction to the
Almanac lesson)
Materials:
• Set of World Almanacs
• Show Me Missouri graphic organizer
handouts
• Overhead: General Index page with
Missouri entry
• QAR Posters of Right There, Search and
Find, Author and Me, On My Own
questions/statements
Description:
After reviewing how to use an almanac,
students and LMS together will fill in
the blank graphic organizer and discuss
the following almanac topics on the
handout together with the LMS: Governor,
State Officials and Congressional
Activity sheets that accompany
these lesson
ideas may be found
Representation.
Student
partners
are at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php
assigned
a specific subheading and must
Activity sheets that accompany these lesson ideas may be found at:
http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/TeachingLearning/Library-MASL.php