Draw Me A Star

Module 15 - May 3-10

Draw Me A Star - Eric Carle

Summary:
This is a creative story in which a young artist starts by creating a star. The star then asks the artist for a sun. The journey continues as his newest creation asks the artist for another type of creation. The aging artist eventually ends up back at a star shape.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
This is a simple story that is filled with Eric Carle's vibrant collages. Each artist creation desires something that can be connected to it. Just as in life, all of creation is connected in some way.

Reviews:
"Draw me a star. And the artist drew a star. It was a good star". So begins another of Carle's deceptively simple picture books. The star asks the artist to draw her a sun. Then the warm sun asks the artist to draw a tree and the tree puts in a request for some people. The people need a house which needs a dog and so on until the artist is asked by the moon to draw her a star and the cycle is almost complete. The artist starts out as a toddler drawing the star, and matures through the book. This unique version of the creation story can be interpreted on many levels. Carle's painted tissue paper collages are, as always, brilliant." - Children's Literature

"During his youth, this gifted authorartist explains in his newest book's afterword, his German grandmother would often draw him a star while chanting a nonsense rhyme. Taking that symbol as his foundation, Carle here creates a world pulsating with life and color-a world that bursts forth from a good star sketched by a young artist. This kaleidoseopic pentagram requests a sun from the artist's pen; the sun asks for a tree, and so on until a man and woman are living happily among Carle's characteristic collages-flora and fauna of all shapes, sizes and vivid hues. Meanwhile the artist, now a bearded old man, continues to draw and create. This unusual, practically plotless work seems to embody a personal scenario close to the artist's heart. His unadorned language, pulsing with a hypnotic rhythm, adroitly complements the familiar naive artwork. Though some may be disturbed by similarities between Carle's evolving world and the biblical creation story (the unclothed male and female figures, for example), this tale of imagination and creativity pays homage to the artist within all of us-and may well fire youngsters' imaginations. Ages 4-up." - Publisher's Weekly


Suggested Activities:
This book would be an excellent resource to use to have children think about and discuss how things are connected. Dogs chase cats, cats chase birds, birds chase butterflies, butterflies look for beautiful flowers, flowers hope for rainclouds, and the list goes on.

Eric Carle books are also a great example of collage style art. After reading his books, students can use tissue paper and paint to create collage art of their own.

Bibliography: Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star. New York: Philomel Books.

This Is Just to Say

Module 14 - April 26- May 2

This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman

Summary:
This is a collection of poems written by Mrs. Merz's sixth grade class. They were inspired by William Carlos Williams poem of apology for eating some plums he found in the fridge. The poems are intended for fellow students, parents, siblings, school staff, and pets. Some are sincere apologies and others are not so sincere. The second part of book contains responses from those who received the apologies. These are just as humerous, witty, and sincere as the apologies.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
I loved this collection of poems. The author did a great job of bringing out the nature of the human spirit in these apologies and their responses. I also enjoyed the variety of types of poems that the collection contains.

Reviews:
"Gr 4-7-Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just to Say," apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: "Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy." Mrs. Garcia's response poem says, "Of course I forgive you./But I still have to call your mother." A more serious concern emerges in "Next Time," written by Jewel: "Please, please come back./Don't leave me spinning alone,/like a slow, sad tornado./I'm sorry, Daddy./Next time I'll be/perfect." In the response poem, Jewel describes her father's wrenching reply telling her that, "None of the stupid things/I have ever done/are even close to being your fault." Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds-notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom."- Reviewer: Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Suggested Activities:
Students could have a lot of fun writing creative apologies and making a class book of their own.

Bibliography: Osborne, M. P. (2007). This is just to say: poems of apology and forgiveness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Magic Treehouse Tonight on the Titanic

Module 13 - April 19-25

Magic Treehouse Series - Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Pope Osborn

Summary:
This story continues the journeys of Jack and Annie as they use their magic treehouse to travel within various books and storylines. Jack and Annie journey to the Titanic in search of a clue that will help their newest friend, a dog named Teddy. They must find 'A gift from a ship lost at sea'. Their adventure leads them to the great Titanic on the fateful night that it hits an iceburg. While searching for their clue, Jack and Annie fearlessly do their best to help the passengers of this sinking ship.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
I enjoy the Magic Tree House series for young children (1st through 3rd graders). Jack and Annie are characters that are easy for young readers to follow and become friends with. Boys and girls alike will enjoy the journey's through famous books and storylines. This particular book presents some basic details of the Titanic in an easy to read adventure.

Reviews:
"The entry in "The Magic Tree House" series of early adventure books takes Jack and Annie and their dog, Teddy, to the deck of the sinking ship, Titanic. While they can't change history or take anyone they meet back with them, they are able to help a brother and sister find their way to the lifeboats before the ship is lost. Mary Pope Osborne provides nicely paced excitement for young readers, and there's just enough information mixed in so that children will take away some historical fact along with a sense of accomplishment at having completed a chapter book." - Children's Literature

Suggested Activities:
This book would be a great lead in to additional research on the Titanic. Students can be grouped into groups to research and report on various different aspects of the Titanic. Students can research the time period, the actual ship and how it was built, life and activities on the ship, various classes of people who were on the ship, and the events of the night of the crash into the iceburg.

Bibliography: Osborne, M. P. (1999). Magic treehouse tonight on the titanic. New York: Scholastic Inc.