Publisher: Gullane Children’s Books

Brief Synopsis

Wanda was a spoilt little girl whose parents got her everything she wanted, because they had no time for her. Whatever someone else had, she wanted too. One day, she walked into a shop and saw a magnificent kite. The shopkeeper said it was not for sale but she would not listen. The kite took Wanda onto a desert island, and Wanda had to learn to survive. She grew to love her new life and made friends with Bill the whale. Because she really missed her family, Bill took her home. Wanda learnt that “there’s more to life than things”.

Main Focus

Materialism, Family

Year Levels

Year 3-4

Teaching Points

1. Materialism

Wanda w

2. Family

…

Conclusion

This is a delightful story with a wonderful moral. It’s something that every child would be able to understand and relate to, being in a society that prides itself on consumerism and materialism.

Activities

1. Story Sequencing

Using selected pages of illustration, the teacher can  jumble the pictures up and have the student try to put it in sequence and retell the story. This can be done either in writing, in speaking, or creating an online storyboard.

2. “Missing” Poster

Get the class to create a missing poster of Wanda when she is stranded on the desert island. How would they describe her? What information would they provide about her? Would her parents give a reward if she is found? Get them to work on it in small groups and share.

3. Stranded!

Imagine you are stranded on an island. What are three things that you would like to have on you, and why? Alternatively, get the class to think about what they might discover on the island and how these can be used for survival.

Publisher: Random House Group

Brief Synopsis

There was once a country where everyone was happy, no matter what happened to them. However, they were happy against their choice- it was banned being sad, cross or miserable. A little boy broke the law one day by crying, and he was taking away by the palace guards to meet the King. He convinced the King that it was okay to be sad, because “you have to be the way you feel”. The King tore up the special order and people were allowed to feel how they wanted to.

Main Focus

Feelings

Year Levels

Year 3-4

Teaching Points

1. Happiness

In The Saddest King, everyone in the country is always happy, no  matter what happens to them. Do you think this is possible? What does happiness mean to you? When do you feel happy and when do you not?

2. Being True To Yourself

The little boy was crying because his dog got ill and had died. He couldn’t be cheered up no matter what people tried to do, and didn’t stop when the palace guards came to take him away. He dared to speak up to the King and maintain his position. What would you have done if you were in his shoes? Tell the class the important of being true to yourself and standing up for what you believe in.

3. Feelings

“It’s alright to be sad. Everybody needs to be sad sometimes.”

The boy reminds the King that we should be allowed to have different emotions for different situations in our lives. What are some instances when it is alright to be sad? Can you think of other times when it is alright to feel a certain way?

Conclusion

The story ends inconclusively, unlike the typical happy endings in children’s books. However, this can be used as a way of challenging the students to find meaning in the story.

Activities

1. Feelings Chart

As a group activity, have the class think of all the different feelings that a person can have- happy, sad, angry, disappointed etc. Then have them think of a situation when they would feel that way, using key words or pictures to explain. They can then present their discussion to the class.

This can also be done as an individual written activity – “I feel __________ when…” and have them come up with 5 sentences. They can submit it as homework or share it with their friends in class.

2. Wearing A Mask

The King wears a Happy mask so that he can always appear happy to his people. Have the students each design a mask that they would like to wear when they are with others. This can be in any emotion. Get them to explain why they have chosen that expression, and why that emotion is important to them.

3. Acting Workship

This is a great story for acting out. Assign roles to different students- one can be the boy, another the king and two the palace guards, the rest can be the commoners. They can follow the script closely or you can have them intepret it in a way they like, according to the level of the students.

Publisher: Evans Publishing

Brief Synopsis

Running Shoes is the story of Sophy, a girl in a village who has a secret wish of attending school. She receives a pair of running shoes from the Number Man and runs 8 kilometres to school everyday. The class was all boys but Sophy perservered and learnt to read and write. A year later, when the Number man returns, she writes him a Thank You message in the sand.

Main Focus

Education, Kindness

Year Levels

Year 5-6

Teaching Points

1. Education

Sophy has a secret wish to attend school and fights all odds to achieve her dream. Explain to the class that in some countries, especially poorer countries, education is not compulsory or easily available. As detailed in the story, it is also usually the boys who gets educated while girls stay at home. Is this fair?  Why does this happen? Get them to discuss the importance of education.

2. Kindness

The Number Man saw Sophy admiring his shoes and takes her measurements so that he could send her a pair. It is because of his kindness that she is able to travel the 8 km to go to school. Ask the class what kindness means to them and if they have experienced or shown kindness in their lives.

Conclusion

This is a great story of how a girl’s determination to study overcamethe obstacles she faced, and how the kindness of one person allowed her to achieve her dream. Because this story is set in Cambodia and tells the reality of life there, it can also be used as a material for Global Education class.

Activities

1. Story Retelling

After the teacher has read the story to the class, get the class to get into small groups and take turns to retell the story in their own words.

2. Global Education

In the book, Sophy’s village has no school and she has to travel 8 kilometers on foot to get there. The classroom is made up of just boys. Education in Cambodia is very different to education in Australia. Have the class research on what education is like in various countries and present the differences they have found. This can take the form of a chart or a powerpoint presentation.

3. Taking Action

A pair of running shoes can make a big difference in the life of a Cambodian girl. Imagine what 10 pairs of shoes can do. Or a 100! Get students to take action and become involved in improving the lives of children their age who come from more unfortunate circumstances.

Under the guidance of the teacher, they can find out what they can do through not-for-profit organizations, and become involved by raising money or collecting items to send to these children.

Publisher: The Bodley Head

Brief Synopsis

When Mr. Archimedes shares a bath with his animal friends the kangaroo, the wombat and the the goat, he doesn’t understand why it overflows. He sets up an experiment to discover the science behind this.

Main Focus

Science

Year Levels

Year 1-2

Teaching Points

Water Displacement

In the story, Mr. Archimedes sets out to find out what the water overflowed everytime he was in the bath. Ask the students why they think it is so.

Conclusion

This is the retelling of the famous Achimedes story using familiar animal characters. Students can approach science in a fun and humorous way through reading this book.

Activities

Eureka!

“We make the water go up. There are just too many of us in the bath, that’s all!”

The teacher can bring in a small bucket of water and repeat the experiment with various objects like a basketball or a box and have a science discussion based on their observations.

Publisher: Clarion Books

Brief Synopsis

Remember That is about the relationship between the writer and her grandmother Bubbe through her growing up years. She loves spending Shabbos with Bubbe, from when Bubbe lived alone to when Bubbe moved in with her and until Bubbe had to be taken to the nursing home. Bubbe passes on her to important Jewish customs and life lessons like “Everyone who wants to eat has to help out a little” and “There’s always someone who has less than you”.

Main Focus

Family

Year Levels

Year 5-6

Teaching Points

1. Importance of knowing your culture and customs

In the story, Bubbe imparts knowledge about life and Jewish customs to the author.  Does she remember them as she grows older? Why is it important? Has your parents or grandparents ever shared with you about your culture and customs? If so, what are some of them? Get students to share with the class.

2. Intergenerational Relationship

The author shares a close relationship with her grandmother that grows stronger over the years. How did she maintain the relationship and what did they share together? Are you close to your grandparents? What are some things that you do together?

Conclusion

This is a heartwarming story with a poignant life lesson- as her grandmother gets on in age, the author continues to love and appreciate her, and their relationship grows stronger. A wonderful story to share with children, as they reflect on their relationships with their family members.

Activities

1. Creative Writing

Get the class to think about the relationship they share with a family member. It can be a write-up on the life of the person, or it can be detailing growing up with the person. This can be done in the form of a story or essay, and they can share what they have written with the class.

If their grandparents are available, the teacher can even have a “Bring Your Grandparents To School” day and get each of them to give a talk to the students.

2. The Jewish Way Of Life

The book is full of Jewish customs and sayings. Have the class study them and discuss if they find any of them interesting and why. This can be translated into a unit of work centered around the Jewish way of life, encouraging students to delve deeper into a culture that is different from theirs. They can also branch out to focus on other world religions like Christianity, Buddhism and Islam.

3. Where I Come From

Have the students do up a poster presentation on their customs and background. This will allow them to gain a better understanding and appreciation of where they come from, and also for a class with students from different backgrounds to integrate better.

Publisher: Lothian Books

Brief Synopsis

Shaun is a collector of bottle tops. On his hunt one day, he notices a lost thing on the beach. He befriends it and tries to help it find its owner, but nobody was helpful. He takes it home, but his parents demands that he put it back where it belongs. He decides to hide it in his shed until he notices an ad in the paper for lost things. He takes it there and says goodbye

Main Focus

Belonging, Friendship

Year Levels

Year 1-2

Teaching Points

1. Belonging

Shaun found a lost thing on the beach. Do you think it belongs to anyone? What does it mean to “belong” to someone? Have you ever come across something that you didn’t know to whom it belong to?

2. Friendship

Shaun befriended the lost thing even though no one else noticed it, and even took it home and later tried to return it to its owner. Why would Shaun do that for the lost thing? Would you have done the same thing? What does it mean to be a friend to someone or something?

Conclusion

The story ends inconclusively, unlike the typical happy endings in children’s books. However, this can be used as a way of challenging the students to find meaning in the story.

Activities

1.The Moral of the Story

The book does not have a “moral” of the story. What do you think could be the  moral, and why? What are some important things that were discussed in the story? Have the students volunteer their answers, and the teacher can construct a mind-map from their responses.

2. The Lost Thing

How would you describe the Lost Thing? Have the class think about a list of adjectives. Now imagine that they are the owner of the lost thing, and have them design a “Lost” poster for the thing and share it with the class. Alternatively, they can come up with their version of a lost thing.

3. Ownership

Ask the class if they have ever found anything that was lost. What did they do with it and why? Discuss the idea of ownership, and how you should always return something lost to its right place if it is within their abilities.

]]> http://littlemissbookworm.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/%e2%80%9cthe-lost-thing%e2%80%9d-by-shaun-tan/feed/ 0 littlemissbookworm http://littlemissbookworm.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/%e2%80%9camy-louis%e2%80%9d/ http://littlemissbookworm.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/%e2%80%9camy-louis%e2%80%9d/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:50:03 +0000 littlemissbookworm http://littlemissbookworm.wordpress.com/?p=73 ]]>
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Brief Synopsis

Amy and Louis are neighbours and best friends. They do everything together and have a special word they use to call out to each other. But one day, Amy moves with her family halfway across the world and they think about each other every day and night. Louis finally discovers a way to get through to Amy.

Main Focus

Year Levels

Prep – Year 2

Teaching Points

1. Friendship

Do Amy and Louis have a deep friendship? Why? What does it mean to be best friends with someone? Do you have a best friend?

2. Communication

Amy’s mother taught her a special word to call out to Louis. Do you have a special way of communicating with your best friend? What are some ways you can communication with a friend, especially one who lives far away?

3. Geography

In the story, Amy moves to the other side of the world with her family. Have you ever had to move to somewhere faraway because of your family? If not, is there anywhere you would like to move to?

Conclusion

This is a story of friendship that will move the hearts of many, and the text is complemented by beautiful watercolour illustrations.

Activities

1. Friendship / Communication

Discuss with the class what are some ways of communicating with their friends, especially one who lives far away. Under the teacher’s guidance, students are to write a letter or send an e-mail to someone they know. This will allow them to practice their writing skills.

To promote global communication, teachers can even set up e-penpals for their students to promote cultural and linguistic understanding.

2. Geography

Ask the students what moving to the other side of the world means for them. Have they ever travelled outside of Victoria/Australia? Is there a place that they would like to go to? Have them work in groups and research on a foreign land and do a presentation on what they have found.

Publisher: Viking

Brief Synopsis

The Singing Hat is the story of Colin Jenkins, a man who falls asleep under a tree, only to wake up and find that his world has completely changed. A bird had built a nest in his head, which he decided to keep. People started treating him differently, but he never wavered even in the toughest times. The bird flew off eventually, but Colin kept the nest by a window in his room.

Main Focus

Decisions, Impressions

Year Levels

Year 3-4

Teaching Points

1. Making The Right Decision

Colin decided that “it was not wise to interfere with nature” and kept the bird and its nest on his head, even though he knew it might cause some problems. People also treated him differently, some good and some bad. What would you have done in his shoes? Did he do the right thing? Have you ever been in a position when you had to make a difficult decision? How did you decide?

2. Impressions

People formed their impressions of Colin based on the bird on his head. He was no longer welcome at his favourite restaurant and could not fit in at work. What kind of impression did he make on people? Do you think appearances are important? Have you ever treated someone a certain way because of their appearance?

3. Love for Animals

Because of his love for the birds, he decided to keep the nest on his head and took good care of it. Discuss the need to be kind to animals and live in a way so as not to harm the environment and the creatures that live in it.

Conclusion

This is an interesting story written in sophisticated language. Children will surely enjoy reading this book and take away a good moral of the story and this book can ever cater to older kids and adults too!

Activities

1. Wear A Singing Hat

Challenge the kids to wear something on them that would make them conspicuous, but to live their lives as normally as possible and see how other people treat them. While it may seem like a silly exercise to them, this can actually help them to emphathize with people with physical disabilities or differences.

2. Retell The Story

After the story has been read to them, get the students to retell the story to each other. They can also take turns asking one another questions so as to test their comprehension and engage in the story.

Publisher: Lothian

Brief Synopsis

The Arrival is a wordless book that tells the story of a young immigrant who leaves his wife and daughter in search of better opportunities in a new land. It is not an easy journey- he does not speak the language nor can he find work, but he meets other immigrants along the way who share their stories with him and help him. Eventually his family joins him and the new land becomes their home.

Main Focus

Year Levels

Year 5-6

Teaching Points

1. Culture and identity

In the book, different groups of people came to the distant land in different ways and for various reasons. What gives them their sense of identity in the new land? How do they keep their culture alive? Do you see this in your neighbourhood or society?

2. The importance of family

The main character brought a photo of his family with him to the new land. Why did he do it? How do you think it helped him? Talk about the important of family, and what it means for the students. Is it a form of support, a sense of identity?

You can also talk about how the other immigrants became his adopted family when his natural family were not physically there with him. Discuss the concept of what a “family” is and how this might be changing in today’s society.

Conclusion

Without giving a name to the main character, this book tells the story of immigrants all over the world. It is a topic that many Australians can relate to, and allow children to become more sensitive to the background and plight of the people around them. It is different from the standard text, but the pictures in themselves speak volumes.

Activities

1. Storytelling / Forming A Narrative

Without text, this narrative of this book takes place in the imagination of the students. They can choose a specific chapter or immigrant in the book to write a story about, and this can be brought to class to be shared.

2. I see, I think, I wonder

This will bring to place higher order thinking skills. Select a page or picture from the book and get the children to talk about what they see visually, what they think about or relate to, and what they are wondering about the story. This can also allow them to predict what might happen next.

3. Immigrant History

This can be tied in with a visit to the Immigrant Museum, which showcases the history of the different nationalities/ethnicities of people who came to Melbourne. In groups, have the children decide on a certain people they are interested in and do up a poster presentation of their findings. This will promote understanding and cultural sensitivity.

Publisher: Penguin Books

Brief Synopsis

In Rose Meets Mr. Wintergarten, all the children in the Summers household are afraid of Mr. Wintergarten and make up stories about him. However, Rose is forced to approach him when she accidentally kicks her ball into his garden. Mr. Wintergarten breaks out of his isolation and Rose is able to get her ball back.

Main Focus

Fears and Stereotypes, Friendship and Kindness

Year Levels

Year 3-4

Teaching Points

1. Stereotypes

Students should be taught not to suscribe to hearsay / gossip about other people. Ask the students to list stereotypes that they know of in society, in the media or in their surroundings, and

2. Treatment of Others

Mr Wintergarten lived by himself for years, and it was only when Rose approached him that he was able to break out of his isolation. Rose’s extension of friendship to him changed his life. Have you had an experience when the act of another person changed you? Can you think of somehow you can treat differently today?

3. Safety

Before Rose went over to Wintergarten’s, she approached her mother for permission and advise. Emphasis to the students the importance of getting adult consent before doing something they are not sure about.

Conclusion

This story has a great message for children and the moral can be applied to all aspects of their lives.

Activities

1. Character Sketch

Get the students to come up with a list of adjectives to describe the characters in the book. Discuss the personalities and how they change towards the end of the story.

2. Story Retelling/ Chain Story

After the story is read, have the class break into small groups to retell the story based on what they remembered/understood. Have it told as a chain story so that everyone has a chance to speak up.

3.Fighting Stereotypes

Have the students list what stereotypes they know of, and discuss how they came about and why this can be dangerous. They can come up with a skit on what they found.