July 2002     Vol.3 Issue 7

All Lesson Plans

History

Suggested lesson plan for "St. Raphael
kids win state history award"

Readability: About Sixth Grade Reading Level

Possible hard words: Proper names: 2002 Missouri State History Competition, St. Raphael the Archangel School, Megan Wilkerson, Michelle McAtee, Angela Beffa, Christy Connor, Dorothea Dix, New Englander, Raleigh, N.C., Arsenal Avenue, Vietnam Memorial, Smithsonian Museum, Bishop DuBourg High School, St. Louis Symphony's Children's Chorus
Other words: skit, credited, depict, humane, supporters

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of possible hard words. Help with any names or words as needed. If three or fewer require help, suggest the child read the article silently. If four to six terms cause problems, have the child read the article aloud to you. If seven or more items cause problems, you volunteer to read the article aloud to the child. Indicate that questions will be raised afterward in all three instances.

DURING READING: Use questions similar to the ones that follow as a way to check comprehension and/or stimulate discussion.

1. What was unusual about the three-member team from St. Raphael?
2. Why did the girls decide to do a skit about Dorothea Dix?
3. How did the kids end their skit?
4. What was especially rewarding about the girls' earning the trip to the national history competition in the East?

Entertainment

Suggested lesson plan for "Probst kids
take to Muny stage on July 15"

Readability: Sixth Grade Reading Level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Patrick, Jacqueline, Christian Probst, Julie Piekarski, George Gershwin, Variety Club Telethon, Bravo Theater, Stages, Justin Rigali, Bella Karoli, The Academy of the Sacred Heart, Repertory Theatre, Mouseketeers
Other words: tribute, extra-curricular, gymnastics, careers

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the names and words from the list of possible hard words, providing help as needed. Then suggest that the child read the article aloud to you. Let the child know that questions will be raised after the reading.

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

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

1. What does it mean to say that the Probst kids are following in the footsteps of their mother?
2. Where else have the kids performed besides the Muny?
3. Why can't gymnast, Jacqueline Probst, compete in the 2004 Olympic Games?
4. After her performing career, what did Julie, the mother of the Probst kids, choose to do?

Outdoors

Suggested lesson plan for
"Belleville Girl is Wolf Enthusiast"

Readability; Sixth Grade Reading Level

Possible Hard Words: Proper Names: Taylor Winn, Wild Canid Center, Wolf Sanctuary, Camp Rendezvous, Audrey, Melissa Hurayt, Marlon Perkins
Other words: endangered, species, captivity, theme, recruiter, contingent, predator, veterinarian, habitat

BEFORE READING: In order to find out how well a young reader can deal with this article, ask him or her to read the list of words and names. Of the sixteen total items, if the young reader requires help with no more than three, ask him or her to read the article silently. If four to six require help, ask the child to read the article aloud to you. If seven or more cause a problem, you volunteer to read the article aloud. In each instance, note that questions will be raised afterward.

DURING READING: For the child reading silently, offer to help with any words if asked. For the child reading aloud, provide fairly rapidly any words that impair fluency. For the child listening to you read aloud, model fluent and expressive oral reading.

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

1. What is the purpose of the Wild Canid Center or Wolf Sanctuary?
2. Why is Taylor called "quite a recruiter" for the Sanctuary?
3. Why do you suppose the kids attending the camp at the Sanctuary aren't supposed to get too close to the young wolves or foxes?
4. Have you been to the Wolf Sanctuary? Would you be interested in going? Why or why not?

Books

This month's book reviews

An exciting present day adventure series
with flashbacks to World War II

"Island, book three, Escape" by Gordon Korman, is an Apple Paperback published by Scholastic, Inc. The three book series is more adventure that history, but it does contain as part of its plot what was supposed to be a third atomic bomb left over on a Pacific island, after two had been dropped on Japan in 1945. The books concern themselves largely with how three early teenagers, whose parents or guardians saw each of them as needing some "straightening out," came to be marooned on an uncharted Pacific island and to learn to get along with each other in order to survive. "Escape" is the last one in the series and details how the kids finally escaped the hostile environment after several weeks of privation.

J.J. Lane, one of the castaways and the spoiled son of a world famous movie star, heroically volunteered to be the instrument of the group's ultimate rescue. By sneaking aboard the plane of murderous smugglers who were using the island for the trading of stolen goods, J.J. hoped to make it to civilization and send rescuers back for the other five kids. One of those left behind had been accidentally shot by the smugglers and needed surgery or would likely die from infection. You get the idea. These little books are an ultimate "survivors" story for kids. They offer good summer reading for your preteen or early teenage boy or girl.

A series of paperback adventure stories by an award-winning author of kids' books

Gary Paulson is a popular and critically acclaimed children's writer. Three of his earlier books are Newbery Honors books. "Tucket's Home" is the slim fifth volume of a five book series concerned with the adventures of Francis Tucket. Publisher's Weekly said of an earlier book in the series, "A real rock 'em, sock 'em ripsnorter guaranteed to keep any boy and any girl...enthralled from the first page to the last." The hyperbole applies right through the concluding volume in the series.

As with most good adventure stories for kids, "Tucket's Home" involves a young hero who prevails against insurmountable odds in an adult-ruled world. In Francis Tucket's case, he prevails against raiding Indians, Comancheros, murderous renegade soldiers, and a variety of dangers from a naturally hostile environment. He is only fourteen, himself, but he travels with a ten-year-old and an eight-year-old orphaned brother and sister that he picked up along the Oregon Trail. His mentor and sometime protector is a one-armed mountain man, named Jason Grimes, who happens to pop up at propitious times. If you pick these books up for your child, if you have any spirit of adventure at all, I'll bet you end up reading them yourself.

A young girl and her mother try to
start a newspaper in a post-Civil War
Colorado mining town

"Whistler in the Dark" authored by Kathleen Ernst is a recent addition to a list of books called History Mysteries published by "American Girl" magazine. The 12-year-old heroine in this book is embarrassed by her mother's efforts to defy tradition in 1867 and wear what was called a "Reform Dress" in that era. But Emma's mother, widowed by the Civil War, was trying valiantly to make her way as a businesswoman and to open up opportunities later for her young daughter.

The book, then, combines mystery and adventure with a look at the Colorado gold mining days, frontier newspaper publishing, and women's struggle to gain acceptance as serious participants in what was seen as a "man's world." All the historical background is absorbed painlessly by the young reader who gets absorbed in a great adventure story. "Whistler in the Dark" is one of the better entries in the series billed as "Intrigue for Girls 10 and up."

A paperback reissue of an earlier book
that was the basis of a made for TV movie

"Summer of the Monkeys" was written by Wilson Rawls, author of the popular and critically acclaimed "Where the Red Fern Grows." Both are now published as Yearling Books by Dell Publishing in paperback after first appearing in print thirty or more years earlier. This 1999 issue of "Summer of the Monkeys" is illustrated with pictures from the Disney made for TV movie based on the book. The publisher reports a fifth grade reading level with interest for kids 10 and up.

"Summer of the Monkeys" tells the improbable story of a boy in 1890's Oklahoma trying to capture a number of monkeys lost from a circus wagon when it overturned. It depicts the hardscrabble life of homesteading farmers as it quietly and concurrently points up the invaluable gifts that come from growing up in a stable and loving home environment. This story has it all - the loyal dog as best friend, an understanding mother and father, a courageous twin sister, a pair of grandparents that know just how to treat their grandkids, and a just slightly rebellious young hero who comes of age as the adventure unfolds.

Sports

Suggested lesson plan for "Simmer tennis
season underway for two ranked girls"

Readability: About sixth Grade Reading Level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Gabriela Demos, Nicole Kantor, Missouri Valley Super One Tournament, Mac McDonald, Florida Easter Classic, Rockwood Valley Middle School, Mary Institute-Country Day School, Owen Kantor, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Other words: rotator-cuff, motivational, qualifying, agility, retrieve, consistency

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the names and words from the list. Offer help as needed. If no more than three require help, suggest that the child read the article silently. If four to six terms require help, ask the child to read the article aloud. If seven or more require help, you volunteer to read the article aloud. Tell the child that in each instance questions will be asked afterward.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer help with any words if asked for help. For the child reading aloud, provide words fairly quickly as needed to keep the reading fluent. If you read aloud, model smooth and fluent oral reading.

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

1. What was the contrast in the way the two girls, Gabriela and Nicole, got their start in competitive tennis?
2. What is Gabriela hoping for as she gets older?
3. What are both girls hoping to become as they get older?
4. Are you interested in playing tennis or another sport? Are you willing to work as hard at it as Gabriela or Nicole? Why or why not?

Gardening

Suggested lesson plan for "City schools teach gardening in outdoor courtyard?"

Readability: Sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Ronnie Goodson, Tre Goins, Donja Moore, Gateway Elementary School, Steve Caven, horticulturist, Judy Kreitner
Other words: experiment, trellis, broccoli, ecology, egret, armadillo, prehistoric, fossils

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of words and names above. Provided help where needed. Then suggest that the child read the article aloud and be prepared to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: Supply rather quickly and words that seem to impair reading fluency.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as those that follow to check the child's understanding of the article and to stimulate discussion.

1. What kinds of things are included in the courtyard that stands in the middle of the different schools?
2. Steve Caven was hired as a horticulturist. What doe that mean?
3. Why is it not surprising that different kinds of birds drop in and visit the courtyard?
4. Besides the pond and garden, what are some of the other features of the courtyard?
5. Would you like something such as the courtyard at your school? Why or why not?

Careers

Suggested lesson plan for "Teen gets
more responsibility in science job"

Readability: Sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Lakishe McPike, Mastercard Scholar, Exploradome Puzzles Exhibit, Torpedo Man, Diane Miller, Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, Matthews Dickey Boys and Girls Club, YWCA Teen Tools Program, Lighthouse, Christian Service Center, Anne Malone Children and Family Service Center, Adams Community Center, University of Missouri - Columbia, Howard University, Missouri Botanical Garden
Other words: interactive, particularly, patience, recruited, curriculum, eligible, pediatric, surgeon, percentage, ecological

There are twenty-five names and words in the list above. Have the young reader read the list as you help out with any unknown words. If no more then four of the items require help, ask the young reader to read the article silently. If five to eight require help, ask the child to read the article aloud. If as many as eight call for assistance, you offer to read the article aloud. In all cases, indicate questions will be raised after the reading.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer to help out with any troublesome words if asked. For the child reading aloud, supply words fairly promptly to keep the reading fluent. If you read the article aloud, model smooth and fluent oral reading.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as the following to check for comprehension and to promote discussion.

1. Can you tell how many jobs Lakishe has this summer and describe them?
2. What is Lakishe's problem with the "Torpedo Man" puzzle?
3. What is Lakishe's ambition and what two of her interests are served by that choice of a career?
4. Would you have any interest in the Youth Exploring Science (YES) program? Why or why not?

Profile

Suggested lesson plan for "Florissant
girl very active in community service"

Readability: Sixth grade reading level

Possible hard words: Proper names: Jazzmine Booker, Florissant, Ames School, Carr-Lane Middle School, Temple of Judah Church of god in Christ
Other words: disciplining, solicited, participant, under-privileged, residents

BEFORE READING: There aren't many hard words in this article. Have the young reader go through the list above and help out with any words if help is needed. Then suggest that the child read the article aloud to you and be ready to discuss it afterwards.

DURING READING: Supply and words fairly promptly that impair reading fluency.

AFTER READING: Raise some questions such as the following to check understanding and stimulate discussion.

1. What did Jazzmine do in order to prepare herself for her father's return home after a heart attack?
2. Describe Jazzmine's attitude toward becoming an elementary teacher when she is older.
3. How was Jazzmine's cookie selling ability contrasted with her unwillingness to sing a solo in the choir?
4. Have you done or are you now doing any community service activities such as Jazzmine does? Describe what you do or might do.