One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia

Published by: Harper Collins 


Set in 1968, Delphine, an eleven year old girl, hopes to get to know her mother. With her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern she will travel from her home in Brooklyn, NY to Oakland, CA to do just this. Once in Oakland, Delphine and her sisters finally see are reunited with their mother and realize she does not want anything to do with them. Their mother Cecile sends them to a summer camp, where they will learn more about themselves, the world around them, and their mother.

Suggested Delivery: Small-group read

Reading Level: Lexile: 750L

Vocabulary: dispatched, reverberated, deceived, fugitive, ambushed, dispersed, stucco, revolution, flummoxed, sullenly, oppressed, indignant, racism, protestors, Freedom Fighter, begrudgingly, Political Fighter, Black Panthers. 

Vocabulary Activity: Once the words have been defined, have students relate the vocabulary to the Civil Rights Movement. As a class, discuss each term to clarify its meaning and to address it in relation to the movement. 

Teaching Strategies (adapted from HarperCollins): 

Pre-reading: Discuss the Civil Rights Movement with students. Address their questions and misconceptions. Create a KWL chart about this movement. Address questions such as: Why did it occur? Who was involved? What resulted from it?

During Reading: Have students compare and contrast the characters Cecile and Delphine in a Venn Diagram. Discuss with the students: how are these characters similar and different? 

After Reading: Have students locate and write down some of the many metaphors in the story. They will list these metaphors as well as address the meaning of these in relation to the story. 

Writing: Have students write as a journalist and research the Black Panther movement. Students will write a newspaper or magazine article about the group from Delphine's perspective. 

Web Resources: 

Ideas for lessons: http://www.the-best-childrens-books.org/One-Crazy-Summer-ideas.html

Literature Unit: http://www.edhelper.com/books/One_Crazy_Summer.htm

HarperCollins Teaching Resource: http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/TeachingGuides/0060760885.pdf

Author's Website: http://www.ritawg.com/

Garcia, R. (2010). One crazy summer. New York: Amistad.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford

Published by: Hyperion Books

This poetic, illustrated, captivating book tells the brave story of Harriet Tubman and her continuous efforts in the Underground Railroad and her fight against slavery. This informative, inspiring book assists children's knowledge of Harriet Tubman as well as her strong will to succeed. Readers will be inspired, informed, and captivated by Harriet Tubman.

Suggested Delivery: Small group read-aloud
Reading Index:
Lexile Range: AD660L

Teaching Suggestions:

Vocabulary: master, indigo, whippoorwill, chariot, plantation, refuge, haven, conductor.

Vocabulary Activity:
Have students address the vocabulary in relation to slavery. If students need to conduct research on these vocabulary words they may do so. Students will write on the definition of the terms and explain to a partner the meaning. Meet as a whole group to discuss these terms, their meanings, and their relation to slavery.

Teaching Strategies:

Pre-reading:
Create a KWL chart about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Address questions such as: Who was Harriet Tubman? Why was she so important to slavery and African Americans?

During Reading:
Stop after reading some pages and discuss the meaning of these pages, what is the significance? What are the consequences for Harriet's actions? Create a list of these as well as important information learned about Harriet.

After Reading/ Writing:
Students will write from Harriet's point of view or to Harriet from the point of view of a slave. Have students address the many concerns and issues related to the text and addressed in the text as well as new information learned.

Web Resources:
PBS Biography of Tubman : http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html

Harriet Tubman Website:  http://www.harriettubman.com/

National Geographic Underground Railroad: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/

Author's Website: http://www.caroleweatherford.com/

Weatherford, C. B., & Nelson, K. (2006). Moses: when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Bartoletti

Published by: Scholastic Press

Helmuth Hubener, a young boy growing up in Nazi Germany clues readers in to the views of youth during Hitler's reign. Helmuth expresses great heroism and courage, as he stands up for what he believes in and is willing to fight for these beliefs. He is truly effected by the actions of the Nazis, as he sees the pain and suffering done to the Jewish community. Helmuth illegally investigates the Nazis and is faced with dire consequences.

Reading Index: Lexile: 760; Ages 9-12
Suggested Delivery: Independent Read

Teaching Strategies:

Vocabulary: Nazi, revelers, Communism, regime, swastika, gestapo, leaflet, Hitler.

Vocabulary Activity: Students will discuss each word and its significance to the Nazi Party. They will then get into a small group and discuss the meaning of each word. They will compile a list of the word and its definition, this list will be given to all the students.

Pre-reading Activity: Students will create a KWL chart with knowledge of the Nazis, Hitler, as well as what was going on at the rise of the Nazi party.

After Reading/Writing Activity: Have students first free write, writing down their ideas and descriptions of Helmuth as a character. Students will then write a letter to Helmuth explaining their point of view and how they perceive him as.

Web Resources:
Timeline of the Nazi Party's Rise to Power: http://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/timeline/nazirise.htm

Discussion Guide:http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/discussion-guide-boy-who-dared

Scholastic Activities: http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/teachers/connections/pdf/TheBoyWhoDared.pdf

Author's Website:
http://www.scbartoletti.com/

Bartoletti, S. C. (2008). The boy who dared. New York: Scholastic Press.