January 2003     Vol.4 Issue 1

All Lesson Plans

Lifestyle

Suggested lesson plan for "Help birds find
winter food. Many are sick and weak."

Readability: Fifth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: West Nile Virus, Judy Rowe, Creve Coeur, Wild Bird Sanctuary, Meramec River, Walter Crawford, Missouri Conservationist
Other words: urgency, edible, predators, immunity

BEFORE READING: This is a fairly easy article in terms of hard words. Have the child read the words from the list, providing any help as needed. Then suggest the young reader read it aloud to you. Explain that questions will be asked and the article will be discussed afterward.

DURING READING: Once again, help out with any words causing difficulty. Try to help the child read with reasonable fluency.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as those that follow to check understanding and promote a discussion.

1. What happened to the bird population last summer in this area?
2. Why is it especially important to feed the birds this winter?
3. Describe one or two types of home made bird feeders?
4. Why do birds need to take baths, even in winter?
5. Have you maintained any kind of bird feeder at your home? Why or why not?

News

Suggested lesson plan for "Two kids
plan better science websites"

Readability: Sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Jim Hoff, Bobby Givens, Mike Crisco
Other words: novice, nuclear, components

BEFORE READING: This is a straightforward article with few hard words. Have the young reader read the few possible hard words, providing any help if needed. Then ask him or her to read the article aloud to you. Inform the reader that questions will be raised after the reading.

DURING READING: Supply any words needed to keep the reading fluent.

AFTER READING: Use questions to check understanding and stimulate a discussion. Examples follow:

1. How does this year's robot compare with last year's for Jim Hoff?
2. What would Jim Hoff like to do when grown?
3. Why would you guess Bobby Givens thinks that admission to MIT will be a "stretch" for him?
4. Why does Jim Hoff think his robot can beat Mike Cisco's robot in a "sumo wrestling" contest?

Education

Suggested lesson plan for "Kids learn
how to write a holiday book"

Readability: Above sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Ashley Fowler, Patricia and Fred McKissack, Olivia Cassidy, Tim Royals, Alexandria Healey, Susan Evans, Jessica Huddleston, Tim Tanner, Cody Rawlings, Antony Lentini, Haiku
Other words: critique, oriental, clincher

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of possible hard words. Give as much help as needed. Then suggest the child read the article aloud to you and be ready to talk about it afterward.

DURING READING: Supply any troublesome words fairly rapidly in order to keep the reading fluent.

AFTER READING: Check comprehension and stimulate discussion by using question such as the following.

1. How much time were the kids given to produce their books?
2. What is a Haiku?
3. List two or three things the kids said they learned from the McKissacks.
4. Have you tried to write a story or worked with others to produce one? Describe.

Books

This month's book reviews

Another kids' novel about life
in the Middle Ages by a prize-winning author

Karen Cushman's, "Matilda Bone," is a fascinating study of medical practice in England during the Middle Ages. Of course, that study is wrapped up in the story of how a young girl, brought up in a sheltered upper class atmosphere, asserts herself and makes a life among the working poor in that era.

Karen Cushman is an unusual writer in that her first book, "Catherine, Called Birdy," was a Newbery Honor book, and her second, "The Midwife's Apprentice," was awarded the Newbery Medal for Best Children's Book of the Year.

"Matilda Bone", just like Cushman's other books, provides historical background while telling a compelling story about a young woman asserting herself in an era where females are given few opportunities to achieve. Can you find better reading than this for your daughter?

The publisher reports a readability level of sixth grade and an interest level of ages 10 and up.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

An involving, soap-opera type
book written for preteen girls

Willo Davis Roberts is the author of "Buddy is a Stupid Name for a Girl". The paperback's title might seem like a stupid name for a book, except that Roberts, a prize-winning children's author, has written more than ninety books and seems to know just what she is doing. Any adults naive enough to think it's easy to write for children or that kids' books are easier to write than adult novels, needs to read this book. They should come to realize that they are very much mistaken.

"Buddy is a Stupid Name for a Girl" is as well written as any adult novel. It's just easier to read because it is somewhat shorter than a regular novel and is written in unpretentious language. It's a kid's book because it deals with kids' issues and has a child who, as the central character, is telling the story from her point of view. If you think that is easy, try it sometime.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

A paperback about roller hockey in the
"Number One Sports Series for Kids"

It's pretty hard to find a kid's book that is written about roller hockey. Author, Paul Mantell, writing under Matt Christopher's name, has done it with "Roller Hockey Radicals".

It's just one of more than sixty titles that have been published under the Matt Christopher name through the years. These books are written with one major purpose - to appeal to kids interested in sports, often a very specialized sport. Their publisher understands that many kids would rather play sports than read a book. The Matt Christopher books have often served as the lure to get kids to read recreationally by serving up topics they can't resist. "Roller Hockey Radical" clearly fits in this category. The fact that it is a colorful, inexpensive paperback is icing on the cake for a parent trying to get a son or daughter to read a book.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

A short fictional adventure story that
provides a little historical background

"The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleishman is a short, easy-to-read paperback. The title and the gist of the story rest on the fact that, at one time, heirs to a throne could not be punished directly. They had stand-ins - other children - who took their punishment for them.

"The Whipping Boy" is lightly and humorously told. It was first published in 1986, but was been recently reissued as a Troll paperback in 2001. The book was a Newbery Medal recipient when it was first published. Although the two main characters are boys, there is one young female character who has a role in helping the boys escape their enemies, so it is entertaining reading for kids, whatever their gender.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

Outdoors

Suggested lesson plan for "For some kids,
a wildlife habitat is close at hand"

Readability: Sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Jessica Hendin, Aron Hendin, Monica Streeter, Chesterfield Citizen's Committee for the Environment, National Wildlife Federation, Parkway Central Middle School, Solomon Spector Day School, Creve Coeur Creek, Darcy Capstick, Sachs Butterfly House and Education Center, Faust Park, Monsanto-Pharmacia
Other words: habitat, certified, marigolds, coyotes, composted, hibiscus, miniature, reestablishing, evolving, symposium

BEFORE READING: To determine how easily the young reader can handle the vocabulary load in this article, have him or her read all the items from the possible hard words list. Provide help as needed but keep track of how many items call for your assistance. If no more than three items call for help, ask the young reader to read the article silently. If four to six require assistance, suggest that the child read the article aloud to you. If seven or more items cause difficulty, you volunteer to read the article aloud. In all instances, point out that question will be raised after the reading.

DURING READING: For the child reading silently, offer to provide any help requested. For the child reading aloud to you, supply troublesome words fairly promptly to maintain reasonable fluency. If you read aloud, model expressive, fluent oral reading.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as the following to check comprehension and to stimulate discussion of the article.

1. What does a family need to do to get its backyard named a wildlife area?
2. What sorts of animals are attracted to these areas?
3. Besides private homes, what other places are setting up wildlife habitats?
4. Have you played any part in helping out the wild birds and animals? Explain.

Careers

Suggested lesson plan for "Want career,
school advice? Check here"

Readability: Fifth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: University of Missouri - St. Louis's Regional Center for Education and Work, Barnwell Middle School, Francis Howell, Holman Middle School, Pattonville, Lansdowne Middle School, Meramec Valley, Normandy, Riverview Gardens, Saeger Middle School, Wydown Middle School, Rosanne Vrugtman
Other words: resources, categories, prospective, internship, individualized

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the items from the list of possible hard words. Provide help as needed with the items. If no more than three require help, suggest that the young reader read the article silently. If four to six items require help, suggest that the young reader read the article aloud to you. If seven or more items require help, you volunteer to read the article aloud. In all three cases, note that questions will be raised afterward.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, indicate that you will help out with any terms if asked. For the child reading aloud, supply words as needed to keep the reading reasonable fluent. If you read aloud, model expressive, fluent oral reading.

AFTER READING: Use questions to check understanding and stimulate discussion. Examples follow.

1. What do you need to have at home to get help with your homework from the Pathfinder program?
2. Besides a computer, what else is required to be able to participate in the program?
3. What kinds of chances are offered to get career experience in a given field?
4. How can Pathfinder help a beginning high school student get ready for his or her college program?

Sports

Suggested lesson plan for ""Worst"
experience helps cross-country runner"

Readability: About sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Adam Prahlow, Aaron and Andrew Prahlow, Lutheran North High School, Blair Porter, Augustana College, Olympics, Jamestown Mall
Other words: kilometer, aspiring, varsity

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the ten items from the list of possible hard words. Provide any help needed. Then suggest that he or she read the article aloud and be ready to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: Provide any troublesome words fairly quickly in order to keep the reading fluent.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as these to check understanding and promote discussion.

1. What two things did Adam learn to do while running his "worst" race in Iowa?
2. What is the boys' father job that may have influenced their interest in running?
3. What is Andrew interested in besides running?
4. How does running seem to help Aaron?

Profile

Suggested lesson plan for "More
citizenship awards for Tori Fenemor"

Readability: Sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Tori Fenemor, Hardin Middle School, St. Charles, Springfield, Chicago, Kylie Fenemor, Sarah Hodges, Michael Ebert, National Geographic, Missouri Botanical Garden, Washington U
Other words: rebounder, charitable, photo-journalist, perennial

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of possible hard words. Help out as needed. If no more than three items call for help, ask the child to read the article aloud. If four to six require help, suggest that the child read the article aloud to you. If seven or more items cause a problem, you offer to read the article aloud. Point out that questions will be raised after reading.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer help with words if asked for help. For the child reading aloud, supply words fairly promptly in order to keep the reading fluent. If you read the article aloud, model fluent oral reading.

AFTER READING: To check for comprehension and promote discussion, raise questions such as the following.

1. What are some of her activities and recognition that Tori has received?
2. Why did she have to cut down on some of her sports that she played?
3. What does Tori want to study in college and what does she want to do with that education?
4. Why is Washington University a good choice for a college for Tori?