Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life

Author: Jan Reynolds

Photographer: Jan Reynolds

Copyright: 2009

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, Inc., NY

Age Level: 7-12 and up

Reading Levels:

o        Fountas & Pinnell – NF

o        Lexile – 1190

o        Accelerated Reader – 8.0

Pages: 48

Genre: Non-fiction

“To the people … of Bali, rice is life. All the cycles of life are coordinated with the cycles of rice farming – the water cycle and the growing cycle.” – Jan Reynolds

Suggested delivery: Read aloud and small group read

Links:

• Curriculum Connections and Websites of interest related to Cycle of Rice Cycle of Life http://www.mcbookwords.com/books/circleofrice.html
• Free Rice Web site - Vocabulary Practice – Grains of rice are donated for every correct answer (Pre/Post Reading)

 http://www.freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1530

 

• National Geographic –The Rhythm of Rice Production lesson plan http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/15/gk2/rhythmrice.html 
• Jan Reyonld's YouTube videos(3)from her book Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iUQl9OK-dA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL    

3 teaching suggestions - using the book with students in grades 4-6

1.   Mathematical application – graph the miles sailed on the Mayflower, include organizer for parts of the ship and a description for each

2.   Social Studies – making connections between England and New England – people and places i.e. Myles Standish

3.   Make a Chart for vocabulary – British/English and English/Foreign

Key Vocabulary:

1.   aerate

2.   aqueduct

3.   Balinese

4.   decompose

5.   environmentally sustainable

6.    evaporate

7.    fertilizer

8.    hydrologist

9.    pesticide

10.    sustainable agriculture

 

Before Reading strategy: K-W-L chart about Bali &/or Rice/ Read-Aloud/Think-Pair-Share

During Reading strategy: Concept Sorts/Vocabulary Hot Spots Strategy

After Reading strategy:    Exit Slip/Share one Text-to Self/Text/World

A writing activity that requires the students to respond to the text to demonstrate inferential comprehension – Have students make a Chronological Sequence/Process – Flow Chart then write out the detailed steps to the farming

Awards, Reviews, Honors or Mentions:

o   2010 Sigurd F. Olson - Nature Writing Award for Children's Literature

o   Best Children's Books of the Year
Bank Street College of Education

o   Notable Children's Books
Smithsonian Magazine

o   Parents' Choice Recommended Winner

o   Honor Book
Grade K-6 Social Studies
Society of School Librarians International

o   Notable Books for a Global Society
International Reading Association (IRA)

o   Best Books
Grade 7-12 Science
Society of School Librarians International

o   John Burroughs Young Readers Award
John Burroughs Association/American Museum of Natural History

Other Books by the Author or that may follow:

o   Celebrate! Connections Among Cultures, 2010

(Book Talk - http://www.leeandlow.com/p/reynolds.mhtml)

o   For Teachers – Classroom Guide to the Series (http://www.leeandlow.com/p/vanishing_tg.mhtml )

o   Amazon Basin (Vanishing Cultures Series)

o   Down Under (Vanishing Cultures Series)

o   Far North (Vanishing Cultures Series)

o   Frozen Land (Vanishing Cultures Series)

o   Himalaya (Vanishing Cultures Series)

o   Mongolia (Vanishing Cultures Series)

o   Sahara (Vanishing Cultures Series)

Topic from the book: Food-Grains/Bread, Science – Life Cycle, History & Social Studies, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature – Science & Technology, Travel & Places, World Cultures, Farming, Ecology, Sustainability, Environmental Protection and Activism, Customs and Traditions