BrittanyAcheson - Themed Literacy Unit:

CENTRAL QUESTIONS

The two central questions at the heart of my Themed Literature Unit on Friendship are:

What does it mean to be a friend?

What does it take to be a friend?

GENERALIZATIONS

Students will understand what it looks like to be a friend.

Students will understand that friends can have similiarities and differences, but still be friends.

Students will understand that to be a friend you accept people for who they are.

Students will understand that to be a good friend you must be kind, understanding, and dependable.

LEARNING TARGETS

Students will be able to make predictions using schema and context clues to increase comprehension.

Students will be able to summarize the important events from text revolving around the theme of friendship.

Students will be able to communicate their thoughts verbally and written, be respecful of fellow peers, and evaluate their contribution during literacy circles.

ONLINE RESOURCES

The Seattle Public Library: http://www.spl.org/

Tolerance: http://www.tolerance.org/teach/resources/songbook/activities/love.jsp

101 Kidz: http://www.101kidz.com/friendship/

"The only way to have a friend is to be one"

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

ANNOTATED BOOK LIST

Couric, K. (2000). The Brand New Kid. New York, New York: Random House, Inc.

The Brand New Kid is the story of a boy new to the school and how he is at first ostracized because of his looks and the way he talks. A girl in his class, Ellie, soon befriends him and understands that you can be friends with somebody who is different than you.

DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press

Because of Winn-Dixie is the endearing story of a girl named India Opal and her father, the preacher, whose relationship grows stronger by their shared love of their dog named Winn-Dixie. India Opal meets several different characters after moving to Florida and learns that being a friend means to be accepting, kind, and non judgmental.

English, K. (1999). Nadia’s Hands. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Caroline House.

Nadia’s Hands is the story of a young Indian girl who was chosen by her aunt to be a flower girl. Nadia gets mehndi painted on her hands for the celebration and is at first afraid to be different at school but later learns to celebrate her differences and culture.

King-Smith, D. (2005). Babe: The Gallant Pig. New York: Random House, Inc.

Babe: The Gallant Pig is the story of a pig that has a new home on Hogget Farm where he meets new animal friends and avoids be turned into bacon by a talent for herding sheep.

Lobel, A. (1979). Days with Frog and Toad. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Days with Frog and Toad is about the adventures between two best friends, Toad and Frog. It is a small collection of stories between the two friends that celebrates birthdays, flying a kite, and other friend activities. lessons and read aloud.

Rylant, C. (1997). Poppleton and Friends. New York, New York: The Blue Sky Press.

Poppleton and Friends is about the adventures of Poppleton and his friends, Hudson, Uncle Bill, and Cherry Sue, as they spend the day at the beach and other fun activities.

Rylant, C. (1998). Poppleton Everday. New York, New York: The Blue Sky Press.

Poppleton Everyday is about the adventures of Poppleton and his friends, Fillmore and Hudson, as they look for stars, go sailing, and go shopping.

Rylant, C. (2000). Poppleton Has Fun. New York, New York: The Blue Sky Press.

Poppleton Has Fun is about the adventures of Poppleton and his friends, Cherry Sue and Hudson, as they go to movies, make a quilt, and have bath time.

Rylant, C. (1999). Poppleton in Fall. New York, New York: The Blue Sky Press.

Poppleton in Fall is about the adventures of Poppleton and his friends, the geese, Cherry Sue, and many others, during the fall time.

Rylant, C. (1999). Poppleton in Spring. New York, New York: The Blue Sky Press.

Poppleton in Spring is about the adventures of Poppleton and his friends, Cherry Sue and Marsha, during the spring time.

Sachar, L. (1994). Marvin Redpost: Alone in His Teacher’s House. New York, New York: Random House, Inc.

Marvin Redpost’s third grade teacher has entrusted him with the care of her older dog while she is away on a vacation. This book tells the tender tale of how Marvin gained responsibility and became friends with the dog.

White, E.B. (1952). Charlotte’s Web. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Charlotte’s Web tells the story of a friendship between a little girl who saves the life of a pig, Wilbur, and all animals that befriend Wilbur throughout his life.