Saturday, October 22, 2011

Case Closed?

Author: Susan Hughes
Illustrator: Michael Wandelmaier
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Ages: 9-12 and up
Reading Levels:
Fountas & Pinnell - X Nonfiction
Lexile – 1000
Pages: 88 (hardcover)
Genre: Nonfiction/Science/Technology




“The nine cases will certainly capture the imagination of readers who like mysteries and the variety of ways in which mysteries can be solved using the processes of science and technological tools, both ancient and modern." -from Barbara McMillan's review in CM Magazine, Nov 26, 2010, gave 4 out of 4 stars to Case Closed?
                                                                                          
Suggested delivery: Read aloud, small group/paired reading, independent read
Links:
·         Publisher’s website
http://www.kidscanpress.com/us/Case-Closed-P3184.aspx
·         Author’s Website
http://www.susanhughes.ca/books/caseclosed.php  
3 teaching suggestions - using the book with students in grades 4-6
  1. Jigsaw – one group “investigates” and learns about each mystery
  2. Biography research - one of the missing people featured and present it
  3. Make a timeline placing each mystery in order along with a written summary
Key Vocabulary:

1.   archeologist
2.   historians
3.   investigators
4.   anthropology
5.   glaciology
6.   dendrochronology
7.   innovative
8.   caravans
9.   flourishes
10. doggedly
11.  sleuths
12. descent
13. regent
14.  sarcophagus
15.  royal wet nurse
16.  embalmed
17.  speculation
18.  vessel

 
Before Reading Strategy: Think – Pair- Share/ Vocabulary Self-Awareness/Read-Aloud
During Reading Strategy:  Teach Sticky Notes reading strategy with a graphic organizer to fully comprehend informational text
After Reading Strategy:     Exit Slip, Summarizing

A writing activity that requires the students to respond to the text to demonstrate inferential comprehension - Choose an investigator job (archeologist, anthropologist…) for the day (from the book) and explain why you choose that job and what would you like to uncover next if you could?
Awards, Review or Mentions:
o   2011 Winner - Outstanding Science Trade Book, NSTA
o   2011 Finalist - Norma Fleck Award for Canadian children’s non-fiction
o   2012 Nominee for the Utah Beehive Award - Informational Category, The Children’s Literature Association of Utah, shortlist


Other Books by the Author:

Fiction:
o   Virginia
o   Earth to Audrey
o   The Not-Quite World Famous Scientist

Wild Paw Series:
o   Bobcat Rescue
o   Lonely Wolf Pup
o   Bunnies in Trouble
o   Orphaned Beluga
o   Cubs All Alone

Nonfiction:
o   Off to Class
o   Canada's Birds
o   Canadian Sports
o   Canadian Festivals
o   No Girls Allowed: Tales of Daring Women Dressed as Men for Love, Freedom and Adventure
o   Raise Your Voice, Lend A Hand, Change The World
o   Lester B. Pearson
o   Let's Call it Canada
o   Coming to Canada
o   Canada Invents

Topics from book: Science as Inquiry, science & technology, investigators, tools, techniques, researchers, archeology, anthropology, glaciology, dendrochronology, historical files…
       
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Judy Moody Declares Independence

Author: Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Copyright: 2005
Publisher:  Candlewick Press, Massachusetts
Age Level: 6-9 and up
Reading Levels:
o        Fountas & Pinnell – M Fiction
o        Lexile – 590
o        Accelerated Reader – 2.0
Pages: 160 (paperback)
Genre: Fiction/History & Historical Fiction

“Time to hit the Freedom Trail!”– from Judy Moody Declares Independence

Suggested delivery Read aloud or read independently

Links:
http://www.meganmcdonald.net/
·     Book and Author information from Scholastic
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bookwizard/books-by/megan-mcdonald

3 teaching suggestions - using the book with students in grades 4-6
1.   Map out the places Judy and family visit and list important events personally (Judy) and historically
2.   Responsibility – compare Judy’s present or her wanted/compare yours
3.   Comic Strip maker/Postcard creator/Collection of things i.e. sugar packets

Key Vocabulary:  
1.   town crier 
2.   dome
3.   initials (carved) 
4.   cracked (up) 
5.   plaque
6.   latern signal
7.   cargo hold 
8.   disguises
9.   bales
10. heaved

Before Reading Strategy: KWL (Boston and its history/American Revolution), Vocabulary Word Wall (American Revolution/History)        
During Reading Strategy: Chunk and Chew, Retelling
After Reading Strategy:    Student Book talks, Voki Character(s) (Judy/Stink)

A writing activity that requires the students to respond to the text to demonstrate inferential comprehension – Students can write a letter to the author, Megan McDonald, describing all of their favorite parts from the book and why, things they have learned or questions they may have about any topic from the book.

Awards, Reviews, Honors or Mentions: "This delightful book will inspire children to write their own declarations of independence complete with 'alien' rights and the 'purse' of happiness." — School Library Journal
Other Books by the Author or that may follow:
o   Judy Moody Series
o   Over 350 books! Go to http://www.bookfinder.com/author/megan-mcdonald/  to see all of the titles and descriptions

Topics from book: Responsibility, American Revolutionary History, Massachusetts/Revolution, 1775- 1783, manners & conduct, families & social structures, understanding self & others, collections of “things” or items.
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Road to Revolution!

Authors: Stan Mack & Susan Champlin
Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books, New York
Age Level: 9-11 and up
Reading Levels:
o        Fountas & Pinnell – U Fiction
o        Lexile – 430
o        Accelerated Reader – 3.4
Pages: 122 (hard cover)
Genre: Fiction /Graphic Novel


“You can’t make history without making a little trouble!” – from Road to Revolution


Suggested delivery: Read aloud, small group read, independent read

Links:
·   Scholastic In Depth Look at Thomas Jefferson & Declaration of Independence

3 teaching suggestions - using the book with students in grades 4-6
1.   Create a timeline with the main historical events discussed in the book
2.   Blow up map image on page 4 –The Town of Boston 1775 and make game pieces with Main Characters on page 3 and have students take turns retelling/summarizing the story using manipulatives
3.   Comic strip creator – student interactive http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/comic-creator-30021.html#lessons


Key Vocabulary:  
1.   revolution
2.   colonies
3.   brink (of war)
4.   sprawling (trading)
5.    regulating
6.   taxing (imposing)
7.    blunders
8.    defiance
9.    parliament
10.   rallying (cry)
11.   argumentative (colonies/13)
12.   protest
13.   boycott
14.    rioting
15.    rebels
16.    mob (of citizens)
17.    disguise
18.    retaliation
19.    port
20.    appointed
21.    (raise the) stakes
22.     fledgling
23.     blockading (the port)
24.     trickle (of food)
25.     (a rich tory) “ripe for the plucking”
26.      lordship
27.      horsewhipped
28.      “nameless street urchin”
29.      (you) loafers
30.      flogging
31.      swig and swing
32.      homespun (cloth)
33.      (they) barge (into town)
34.      effigy (of a British officer)
35.      handbills
36.      “rumpled old goat”
37.      crude (humor)
38.      tingly
39.      flickers
40.      quarrels (fray)

Before Reading Strategy:  Vocabulary Self- Awareness/KWL – History of Boston and American Revolution
During Reading Strategy:  Character Mapping/Event - Problem Mapping
After Reading Strategy:     Reader’s Theatre/Voki Characters (Nick & Penny)

A writing activity that requires the students to respond to the text to demonstrate inferential comprehension – Have students write a Two-Voice Poem either Penny/Nick, Patriots or Rebels/British Officers

Awards, Reviews, Honors or Mentions: “Action packed, laced with humor, and visually dynamic for today’s readers, Road to Revolution! cleverly intertwines fact and fiction for an unprecedented view of American history.” – from an Editorial Review on Amazon

  • Bank Street Children’s Books of the Year
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (NCSS/CBC)
Other Books by the Author or that may follow:
o   Series: Cartoon Chronicles of America
  • Janet and Me, 2004
  • The Story of the Jews, 2001
o   For Better, For Worse: A Guide to Surviving Divorce for Preteens and their families, 2001
o   Real Life American Revolution, 1994

Topics from book: Orphans, United States History – Revolution - 1775-1783, Massachusetts, Friendship, History & Social Studies
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