Henry Aaron's Dream

Author: Matt Tavares

Illustrator: Matt Tavares

Publisher: Candlewick Press, copy write 2010
Page Count: 40

Lexile Level: 920L

Overview: 

"Before he was Hammerin’ Hank, Henry Aaron was a young boy growing up in Mobile, Alabama, with what seemed like a foolhardy dream: to be a big-league baseball player. He didn't have a bat. He didn't have a ball. And there wasn’t a single black ball player in the major leagues. But none of this could stop Henry Aaron. In a captivating biography of Henry Aaron’s young life – from his sandlot days through his time in the Negro Leagues to the day he played his first spring training game for the Braves – Matt Tavares offers an inspiring homage to one of baseball’s all-time greats."--Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Diversity

2. Overcoming Obstacles

3. Segregation 

4. Heroes

5. Achieving Dreams 

Electronic Resources:

1. Fact Monster

http://www.factmonster.com/biography/var/hankaaron.html
Fact Monster is a site with biographies, and interesting facts about people and events.  This link is to the "Hank Aaron" biography, and has links to stats and facts of his time playing baseball.

2. Mini Bio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m66lmbROA58

This is a link to a YouTube video of a mini biography of the life of Henry (Hank) Aaron. 

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Perseverance 

2. Contract

3. Leagues

4. Exhibition

5. Threatening

6. Mesmerized 

Reading Strategies:

Before:   This book has beautiful illustrations that enhance the text.  Before reading, the class should take a picture walk through the book, and analyze the illustrations on each page.  

During: Discrimination is a topic which can be tricky to teach.  Many students will have a wide range of emotional reactions to some of the topics and language in the book.  Encourage students to ask questions, or state how they are feeling, as the book is being read.  

After: Students will understand the underlying concepts in this book more if they can relate it to the "real world."  Show students video clips of Henry Aaron's games, or biographies to give them a connection to the text.   

Writing Activity:  During Henry Aaron's journey to becoming a baseball star, he often thought of his hero, Jackie Robinson.  Imagine you are Henry.  Write a letter to Jackie explaining how you are feeling, and how he has helped you persevere through the challenges.  

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Henry Aaron's dream. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/henry-aarons-dream-matt-tavares/1014686253

Scholastic, . (n.d.). In Henry Aaron's dream. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/henry-aarons-dream

Tavares, M. (2010). Henry Aaron's dream. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

Slam Dunk!

Author: Sharon Robinson

Publisher: Scholastic Press, copy write 2007
Page Count: 151

Lexile Level: 600L

Overview: 

"Elijah "Jumper" Breeze is settling into his new home in Harlem--though it hasn't been easy since his father died and his mother moved them from the suburbs.  Still, he made friends at summer camp and he's eager to see them at his new middle school. Jumper is looking forward to hitting the books and hitting the court for some serious b-ball. Then his best friend, Kelvin, talks him into running for student council and suddenly life gets a lot more complicated! He needs to out-poll Nia, his fiercest opponent in the student council race, and doesn't want to lose her friendship in the process.." --Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Group Reading

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Uplifting

2. Overcoming Obstacles

3. Passion

4. Friendship

5. Responsibility 

Electronic Resources:

1. Basketball Puzzle

http://www.teamopolis.com/play-sports-games-online/default.aspx?GameID=6
This site has a basketball themed puzzle which is timed to add even more fun and pressure to finish!

2. Author Interview

http://www.sharonrobinsonink.com/

Author Sharon Robinson discuss real life situations she has been in and how they affect her writing.

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Painstaking

2. Unauthorized

3. Privileges

4. Establish

5. Self Evaluate

6. Bribe

Reading Strategies:

Before:   The entire class should participate in a discussion regarding minorities and differences in people.  Discussion should lead students to understanding everyone is equal, regardless of race or social class.  

During: Students should write down any vocabulary they do not understand in each chapter.  At the end of reading time everyday, reading groups should work together to use dictionaries to look up the definitions of the words.

After: In reading groups, discuss how having a mutual interest (in this case basketball) can bring people together and help them get along. 

Writing Activity:  Making speeches can be nerve wracking for many people.  Imagine you are running for student council.  Write a three minute speech informing classmates of the ways you would help your school.

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Slam dunk!. Retrieved August 13, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/slam-dunk-sharon-robinson/1105865252

Robinson, S. (2007). Slam dunk!. New York: Scholastic Press.

Scholastic, . (n.d.). In Slam dunk!. Retrieved August 13, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/slam-dunk-1

To Dance
A Ballerina's Graphic Novel

Author: Siena Cherson Siegel
Illustrator: Mark Siegel

Publisher: Alladin Paperbacks, copy write 2006

Page Count: 64

Lexile Level: 610GN

Overview: 

"Dancers are young when they first dream of dance. Siena was six — and her dreams kept skipping and leaping, circling and spinning, from airy runs along a beach near her home in Puerto Rico, to dance class in Boston, to her debut performance on stage with the New York City Ballet." --Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Individual Reading

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Engaging

2. Unique Presentation

3. Family Stresses

4. Passion  

5. Coming of Age

Electronic Resources:

1. Historical Comics

http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/

This website has historical comics dating from the early 1900's to the late 1990's. 

2. Author Interview

http://misserinmarie.blogspot.com/2008/05/sbbt-interview-siena-cherson-siegel.html

This site has an interview conducted with Siena Cherson Siegel.

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Performance

2. Audition

3. Barre

4. Choreograph

5. Rehearsal

6. Rhythm 

Reading Strategies:

Before:   Many students will be unfamiliar with the set up of a graphic novel.  It is important to skim the book, discuss the importance of the illustrations, and possibly read a short one or two page comic to show the students how to read a graphic novel.  

During: This book is an emotional ride.  After reading each chapter of the book, students should write a paragraph explaining how Siena felt in regards to the events happening in her life. 

After: Students can illustrate an important event in their lives, using the book as an example.  

Writing Activity:  Students should write a page long essay explaining why they feel the author chose to share her story in graphic novel form, instead of a traditional novel, and how that choice helped to show the feelings in the story.

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In To dance: a memior. Retrieved August 10, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-dance-siena-cherson-siegel/1007885000?ean=9781416926870

Scholastic, . (n.d.). In To dance: a memior. Retrieved August 10, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/out-dust

Siegel, S. C., & Siegel, M. (2006). To dance: a memoir. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.