October 2003     Vol.4 Issue 10

All Lesson Plans

Lewis and Clark

Suggested lesson plan for "Two
Lewis and Clark Centers are open"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Merriwether Lewis, William Clark, Hartford, Ill., Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Nature Center, Camp Dubois, Glen Bishop, Thomas Jefferson, Louisiana Purchase, Sacagawea, Shoshone, Evangeline Groth
Other words: reenactment, unique, replica, reservations, squaw

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of names and words from the list above. Help with any items as needed. Then ask the child to read the article aloud to you and be ready to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: As the child is reading, be ready to supply any troublesome words in order to keep the oral reading reasonably fluent.

AFTER READING: Use questions similar to the following to check understanding and promote discussion of the article.

1. Why is this year a special year for talking about the Lewis and Clark Journey of Discovery?
2. What part did Camp Dubois in Illinois play in the Journey of Discovery?
3. What is different about the keelboat replica at the Illinois Center?
4. Would you be interested in visiting one or both of the Centers? Why or why not?

Entertainment

Suggested lesson plan for "Local kids
form family dance troupe"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Martha Amazcua, KidsMex. International Folkfest at Queeny Park, Alberto Alcantar, Our Lady of Guadeloupe, Luis Godina, Diana Guzman, Brenda Hernandez, Areli Godida, Hispanic Latins
Other words: troupe, ethnic, accompaniment, recruiting, vocabulary

BEFORE READING: In order to make it easier for the young reader to read the article, have him or her read the list of names and words above while you provide help as needed. Then ask the child to read the entire article and be ready to discuss it later.

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

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

1. What is "ethnic entertainment"?
2. What takes the place of music in the KidsMex dancing?
3. Why is it difficult to recruit more boys for the dance group?
4. Why does Luis prefer living in California to living in St. Louis?

Sports

Suggested lesson plan for "Dropout
rate for kid athletes is very high"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Dr. Jay Noffsinger, Pediatric Center for Sports Medicine, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Kellen Winslow
Other words: conditioning, intensity, propensity, chronic, ligaments, tendons

BEFORE READING: The list of hard words is a short one. Have the young reader read the list while you offer help with any troublesome words. Then ask the child to read the article aloud and be ready to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: You provide help with troublesome words in order to keep the reading fluent.

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

1. By what age do the majority of kids quit playing sports?
2. Why does Dr. Noffsinger discourage kids from playing only one sport when they are young?
3. What is his advice to kids before the season starts for any group sport they intend to play?
4. What sports does Dr. Noffsinger see as the most likely to be used later in life?

Outdoors

Suggested lesson plan for "First
time fishing in lake in City Park"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Danielle Hamilton, Alderwoman Bernice Jones King, Missouri Department of Conservation, O'Fallon Park, Veronica Starks, Alexis Wilbon, Cierra Neil, Antooi Perkins, Dick Turner, Soulard
Other words: residents, cookout, tournament

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of names and words. Offer help as needed. Then suggest the child read the article aloud to you and be ready to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: Supply troublesome words as needed to keep the reading reasonably fluent.

AFTER READING: Questions such as the following can be used to check comprehension and to initiate discussion of the article.

1. Where do the fish come from that are found in the local parks?
2. Where did the kids get the fishing gear to fish with?
3. What were the kids told to do to keep the fish from biting their fingers?
4. Would you like to go fishing in one of the local ponds or lakes? Why or why not?

Books

This month's book reviews

A paperback novel by a popular
youth author about Sacagawea
and her role with Lewis and Clark

Scott O'Dell's novel about Sacagawea titled "Streams to the River; River to the Sea" is this author's fictional account of how a young Indian girl, stolen from her tribal family by a raiding band from a distant tribe, becomes involved later with the Lewis and Clark expedition. O'Dell takes what little factual information exists about Sacajawea and writes a plausible account of her early life.

The novel is not for little kids, but because of its content, is probably best read by kids eleven or more years old. Both Indian and white men exploited Indian women in that era, and O'Dell does not sugarcoat that treatment. Sacagawea was won by a half-Indian and half-French fur-trader in a game of chance and joined others of his wives as he moved among the tribes. She bore the fur-trader's son when still in her early teens and was forced to endure beatings at his hand when she displeased him. Sacagawea is depicted as falling in love with Captain William Clark on the expedition partly because of his sympathetic and sensitive treatment of her and her infant son.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

An Indian boy endures bullying
and extreme danger before emerging
as a capable young warrior

"Spirit Horse," a paperback by Ned Ackerman, presents a realistic picture of what it might have been like to be a young aspiring warrior of the Blackfoot tribe in the 1770's in what is now Montana and Southern Canada. The author contrives a situation that modern city boys can easily relate to as analogous to their own experiences. Running Crane, the main character, at the beginning of the book is trying to fit into a new setting and cope with being the butt of jokes and other forms of harassment from older boys. He finds out early that by quietly holding on to his own values, he earns the respect of those whose respect is worth earning.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

A kids' book with a fairly intricate plot dealing with family issues and wartime anxieties

The title to "The Art of Keeping Cool" comes from one of the book's character's approach to dealing with his harsh and tyrannical grandfather. Given the number of kids' books that are exploitive and shallow, verging on the silly, the title is misleading because Janet Taylor Lisle's little book is deadly serious, devoid of any attempt to appeal to humor or current fads. A better title might be "World War II and One Family's Battles at Home."

"The Art of Keeping Cool" is a winner of the 2001 Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction for children. As one family's secrets and problems are explored for young readers, considerable light is shed on how Americans reacted in the early days of a war that ultimately changed all of their lives. Perhaps we are now far enough removed from this period in history that some parents might gain new insights by reading this along with their son or daughter.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

A new series of time travel books for young girls

"Rosemary Meets Rosemarie" by Barbara Robertson is the first in a recently published series of paperbacks called "The Hourglass Adventures." Authors through the years have found that readers are intrigued by the idea of being able to travel back in time. Writers of kids' books have found that the use of time travel enables them to explore concepts of genealogy, history, and geography in an appealing way for young readers. "Rosemary Meets Rosemarie" is a modern effort to involve young girls in time travel adventures. The book's publishers maintain an interactive website that encourages exchanges of postcards and e-mail messages between friends. It also promotes a Costume Shop for virtual dress-up. Note also the book is illustrated and contains a list of German language expressions and a family tree for the characters in the series.

• Buy this book from Amazon.com

Music

Suggested lesson plan for
"Teen learns to write own music"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Kate Nolan, Webster University's Community Music School, Kids Alive Summer Composition Initiative, Sperreng Middle School, Lindbergh School District, Fiddlers, West Lafayette, In., Science Olympiad, Julie Walbridge
Other words: composing, original, ensemble, souvenir, guitar, saxophone, cello, violin, piano

BEFORE READING: In order to get an idea of how difficult the article might be for a young reader, have him or her read the names and words from the possible hard words list. Help where help is needed but keep count of words that require such help. If no more than three terms call for help, ask the child to read the article silently. If four to six terms call for help, ask the child to read the article aloud to you. If as many as seven items need help, you offer to read the article aloud to the young reader. In all instances, note that questions will be raised after the reading.

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

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

1. How long was the summer music camp and what were the kids asked to do?
2. What instruments does Kate play?
3. What was the souvenir that each kid took home?
4. Would you have any interest in studying music composition? Why or why not?

Lifestyle

Suggested lesson plan for "Kids
get new chance in deer hunt"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Forrest Ahrens, Busch Conservation Area. Weldon Springs, Bassmaster Classic Fishing Tournament
Other words. accompany, camouflage, plaques, venison

BEFORE READING: Ask the young reader to read the short list of proper names and words from the possible hard words list. Offer help where needed. Then suggest the child read the article silently and be prepared to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: Offer to help with any names or words if asked for help.

AFTER READING: Use questions to check understanding and to stimulate a discussion of the article.

1. How does Forrest profit from a hunt even if he doesn't get anything?
2. How do Forrest and his dad make a blind?
3. What kind of clothes does Forrest wear on a hunt?
4. Do you have any interest in hunting? Why or why not?

Profile

Suggested lesson plan for "She's
studying French for a possible career"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Julia Epplin-Zapf, Kennard Classical Jr. Academy, Synchro-Seals, Matthew Brazelton, Europe, Georgetown University
Other words: diplomat, resume, redecorate, competitive, synchronized, nominated

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of names and words from the list above. Help out with pronunciation if help is needed. Suggest the young reader read the article aloud to you and be ready to discuss it afterward.

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

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

1. Why is Julia keeping up her study of French?
2. What are several of Julia's goals as listed in the article?
3. What kind of time has Julia spent in Europe?
4. Which of Julia's many activities would you be most interested in? Why?