Caitlin, an eleven year old girl suffering with Aspergers, tells a story of dedication, suffering, and the will to succeed. After a tragic loss, Caitlin finds ways to discover closure in her life. She expresses her talents and is proud of who she is and what she has done. From her viewpoint, readers will sympathize with her, will understand Aspergers, and learn the importance of family and friends in the grieving process.
Suggested Delivery: Independent Read
Reading Level: Lexile: 630L
Vocabulary: Aspergers, cavernous, superfluous, chambers, aorta, atria, ventricles, veins, arteries, valves, effusive, extroverted, gregarious, empathy, finesse.
Vocabulary Activity: Explain to students that in the book one of Caitlin's "friends" is a dictionary. Caitlin has a vast knowledge of vocabulary and often uses words they may not be familiar with. Provide the students with the vocabulary before reading and introduce them to the terms and their definitions. Explain that some of the terms are related to the heart and this is something that is an important aspect in the book. We will review briefly these parts of the heart in relation to a diagram of a human heart.
Teaching Strategies:
Pre-reading: Discuss with students what Aspergers is. Explain to them how common it is, what it means to have Aspergers, and how it does not make one different or "special." Clarify to the students that it is not the same as Autism. Introduce the students to the main character, explain that Caitlin suffers with Aspergers. We will see how hard it is to have Aspergers and how one is mistreated by others because of it.
During Reading: Students will complete a graphic organizer on the character Caitlin, they will include descriptions as to who she is as a character, her qualities, characteristics, and actions. They will include things such as: who does she refer herself as? is she a strong or weak character? how is she treated by others and how does that make her feel? what was her relationship with her brother and how is she effected by his loss?
After Reading/Writing: Students will write a letter to Caitlin explaining how they reacted from her story. Including things such as: how did it make them feel? would they do the same if they were her? how do they view her as a character? They will include details from the story in these letters.
Web Resources:
Video about book:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCj6fxz6bYk&feature=player_embedded#!
Author Website:
http://www.kathyerskine.com/Kathryn_Erskine/Home.html
Erskine, K. (2010). Mockingbird (Mok'ing-bûrd). New York: Philomel Books.
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