Boy of Steel

The Boy of Steel

by: Marc Tyler Nobleman

Johns, G., & Manapul, F. (2010). Superboy: The boy of steel. New York: DC Comics.

A dream come true: Michael Steel, a young boy fighting brain cancer, was visited by second baseman in the hospital and becomes a batboy for a day.  This story tells the power that he must endure in order to have his dream stay a reality, and with the help of the other Yankee players, this story is truly heartwarming.  

The illustrations in this text add so much character to the story because it is so emotional.  This story not only appeals to boys, but the themes of courage and determination are both ones that students of all ages are able to relate to.  I would like to use this story to say how we are a team in our class and if one of our players falls down, together we will help everyone get up.  This would be a good story to use to start the year and build community among all the students. It was difficult to find any links to lesson plans, but I am still confident this idea I have could be done.

Basketball Belles: How two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops on the map

Basketball Belles: How two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops on the map

by: Sue Macy

Macy, S., & Collins, M. (2011). Basketball belles: How two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops on the map. New York: Holiday House.

This picture books tells the story of Agnes Morley who attending Stanford University to become a lady, but in the meantime she discovered basketball.  This helped her discover who she was and she assisted her team to winning the first-ever intercollegiate women's game. Go belles!

This book was interesting to read, but I think that it was important to learn about how far women have come in this world.  I would incorporate this into a women's unit again, or use this book to introduce how to follow your dreams in order to make yourself happy.  

Introductory Activitiy

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

by: Candance Fleming

Fleming, C., & Hische, J. (2011). Amelia lost: The life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

A story is as powerful as how it is told, and this story is told magnificently.  The author goes back and forth each chapter telling the story of Amelia's childhood, and the search that is occurring to find her lost plane.  She uses resources such as pictures, maps, and some of Amelia's own writing to enhance her story.  I think it is not only informational, but entertaining and keeps the reader engaged.  I would have this book at the front of the classroom for children to peruse at their leisure. I don't think I would revolve a whole lesson around this book, but I would talk about her if I was doing a unit on influential women in history. 

Women's Month Unit: Amelia Earhart

The Diary of a Young Girl

The Diary of a Young Girl

by: Anne Frank

Frank, A. (1993). Anne Frank: The diary of a young girl. New York: Bantam Books.

A diary is a safe haven for many people.  A place to express your deepest thoughts without hesitation because no one will be able to read it as long as it is under your ownership.  Anne Frank wrote a diary during her years as a child specifically in her last years hiding in an attic when Holland was occupied by the Nazi forces in 1942.  Her diary exposes the reality of war, hardship, hunger, and the pain that her family endured during these years of hiding.  Little did she know her secret diary would become a first hand account of the truths that existed during this time told through her serious and amusing tones expressed on each page.  Well worth the read!

I remember reading this book in grade school and thinking it was interesting.  However, reading it a second time I was able to appreciate that this writing was written by a young girl that was hiding during World War II specifically in relation to the Nazi forces, something that we study so often in classes. I don't know if I would read this entire diary as a class, but I think that it could provide good discussion for an introduction to this topic.  It also would comply with the standards that deal with first hand and secondary sources regarding a topic.  We could compare and contrast the type of information we glean from each of the sources and talk about why we would study both or prefer one over the other. 

first hand/ secondary sources
Excellent lesson on types of sources

Mama Miti: Wangari Maatha and the Trees of Kenya

Mama Miti: Wangari Maatha and the Trees of Kenya 

by: Dona Jo Napoli

Napoli, Donna Jo, and Kadir Nelson. Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the trees of Kenya. New York: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2010. Print.

This is the true story of the founder of the Green Belt Movement, Wangari Muta Maathai who is referred to as "Mama Miti." The Green Belt Movement is founded in the African culture and supports "green" movements such as protecting forests, the roots in which you plant food, and other environmental issues. In regards to Mama Miti, she has received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and many trees have been planted in her honor in her roots of Kenya.

This book is very empowering and has incredible illustrations.  I think that the story itself is told most vividly through the colors that explode on each page.  I would like to use this book in my classroom around Earth Day because it has such strong roots in environmental issues, yet also tells an incredible story about a woman that did not give up.  As a class, we could plant a tree in her honor in the town and study more about the Green Belt Movement, as well. I would also like to do an art project working with the effect colors give to the reader because I felt so intrigued by these photos.

Colorful Recycled Art Project

Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom

by: Pam Munoz

Ryan, P., & Selznick, B. (1998). Riding Freedom. New York: Scholastic Press.

Charlotte lost her best friend, horse, and job all in one day to leave her with ultimately nothing.  At the time, women were deprived of their independence and Charlotte was well aware of this.  Therefore, she was determined to move on with her life, and she decided to  cut her hair and become Charley. Because if she was Charley, she would be able to survive.  This story is a great representation of the courage it took to endure the hardships that existed at the time.

I don't know if I would teach this book because it was not one of my favorite.  Historical fiction is such a fascinating genre to me personally which is why I believe to judge these books with more force, and thus it is difficult to say how I would teach this book, unless I did it as a unit.  I think the boys and girls would be able to relate to the main character, which is positive, but at the same time, lack a lot of background information and other things.

Unit lesson Plans!

Fair Weather

Fair Weather

by: Richard Peck

Peck, R. (2001). Fair weather: A novel. New York: Dial Books.
Meet the Author

Imagine the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and then imagine sending your three children there to experience all it has to offer.  Despite the possible threat of security that was apparent during the time, Rosie and her siblings travel to stay with their aunt where they get to embarrass her, attend the fair, and learn a lot along the way. Great read!!!

I really like Peck's works as an author, and this was no exception.  Reading this story in conjunction with studying the Chicago World's Fair in Social Studies would be an excellent way to bridge content areas which is important to show to the students.  Furthermore, his other works such as, A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder would provide an excellent basis for a novel study.