Do you believe everything you read in newspapers? What if you read a news report about a monster living in the sea? Would you believe the story? In 1937, The Inquirer and Mirror published sea monster sightings in Nantucket. After large webbed footprints appeared in the sand, people were intrigued. Could this monster be real? The surprise ending will leave readers wondering about the validity of news.
Response to Literature
AASL Standards Framework for Learners: Engage/Think VI.A.2 Learners follow ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information by understanding the ethical use of information, technology, and media.
As the subtitle indicates, the sea monster story was fake news. The people that read the story were fooled.
Ask learners the following questions:
High School Learners
Have you heard about Gabe Fleisher, a remarkable teen journalist? He writes a nonpartisan newsletter that makes government news easier to understand. Wake Up To Politics provides readers with the latest facts five days a week.
Professional Development
If you like these lesson ideas, please check out our book Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades. You’ll find ready-to-go lessons with worksheets, rubrics and assessments to use with compelling picture books.
Works Cited:
1A (https://the1a.org/shows)
News Literacy: Book Talk With Michelle Luhtala and Jacquelyn Whiting (https://youtu.be/5i15lk9uGq4?t=2m22s)
Wake Up to Politics (https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=4946817b18454973fb1cd7ecc&id=ea11899aa8)
Watch This Space: Meet Teen Journalist Gabe Fleisher (https://the1a.org/shows/2018-05-03/watch-this-space-meet-teen-journalist-gabe-fleisher)
From the author of the incredible book Ada’s Violin, Susan Hood invites us into the world of female innovators and activists. This book highlights, in poetic verse, the stories of fourteen young women that made a huge difference in the lives of women. Shaking Things Up delivers jumping off points to begin to understand the lives and important work of young innovators. What a great way to introduce students to these innovators and to offer a creative way to share understandings – through poetry!
Response to Literature
AASL Standards Framework for Learners: Inquire/Think: l.A.1. Learners display curiosity and
initiative by formulating questions about a personal interest or a curricular topic.
Culminating Activity Idea: Have students add to the existing poem or write another one in response to the shared poem to highlight their new learning. They could illustrate and find an authentic audience to share this work with.
If you like these lesson ideas, please check out our book Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades. You’ll find ready-to-go lessons with worksheets, rubrics and assessments to use with compelling picture books.
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World; Susan Hood, illus. by various artists. Harper, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-06-269945-9
If you are looking for an easy way to get a makerspace up and running, start with this inspirational book. With a few supplies, children can make games, puppets, castles and hideaways. The introduction sets the foundation for building with cardboard. Clear instructions and crisp images prepare readers before they begin constructing. “Difficulty Level” thermometers also help children choose a suitable project. Encouraging notes compel makers to work through problems and try different ideas.
Response to Literature
AASL Standards Framework for Learners: Explore/Create V.B.1. Learners construct new knowledge by problem solving through cycles of design, implementation, and reflection.
If you like these lesson ideas, please check out our book Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades. You’ll find ready-to-go lessons with worksheets, rubrics and assessments to use with compelling picture books.
Mentioned Resources:
Caines Arcade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U)
Global Cardboard Challenge (https://cardboardchallenge.com/)
Image Citation: Westin, Jemma. “Out of the Box: 25 Cardboard Engineering Projects For Makers.” NetGalley, DK, 15 April 2018, www.netgalley.com/.
How cool would it be to have a farm-to-table experience in your library? All you need are kitchen scraps, a few supplies, the sun and recipes. The projects in Dig In! 12 Easy Gardening Projects Using Kitchen Scraps by Kari Cornell are inspiring. Gorgeous photographs and easy-to-implement plans will compel students to grow and cook food. Young chefs can join the fun by following the recipes that complement each project. Resources at the end of the book will support learners who want to garden outside.
Response to Literature
AASL Standards Framework for Learners: Explore/Think V.A.3. Learners develop and satisfy personal curiosity by engaging in inquiry-based processes for personal growth.
Check out the fun contest below to challenge learners to make gardens out of milk cartons:
Carton 2 Garden: Helping Grow School Garden Programs
If you like these lesson ideas, please check out our book Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades. You’ll find ready-to-go lessons with worksheets, rubrics and assessments to use with compelling picture books.
Image Citation: Cornell, Kari. “Dig In! 12 Easy Gardening Projects Using Kitchen Scraps.” NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, 8 April 2018, www.netgalley.com/.
If you want to grab the attention of a child, mention a Harry Potter reference and watch their eyes light up. That’s what author Charlotte Milner does in The Bee Book when she states that a “dumbledore” is a bumblebee. This fun fact presented with infographic flair will compel children to keep reading. Every page delivers interesting facts with engaging illustrations. Teachers will immediately recognize the value of using The Bee Book as a mentor text. Noting Milner’s craft for delivering information will inspire young nonfiction writers. Budding scientists will appreciate learning the significance of bees. Helpful solutions at the end of the book will inspire them to make a difference.
Response to Literature
AASL Standards Framework for Learners: Inquire/Create: I.B.3. Learners engage with new knowledge by following a process that includes generating products that illustrate learning.
Wondering about the waggle dance? Watch this video by the Smithsonian Channel.
Image Citation: Milner, Charlotte. “The Bee Book.” NetGalley, DK Children, 6 Feb. 2018, www.netgalley.com/.
If you like these lesson ideas, please check out our book Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades. You’ll find ready-to-go lessons with worksheets, rubrics and assessments to use with compelling picture books.
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