Tia Isa Wants a Car

Author: Meg Medina                                                
http://megmedina.com/

About the Author:
Meg Medina has written books for over 15 years for adults and children.  She likes to write about topics related to Latino culture.

 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:

A little girl pitches in to her Tia save for a car and take the whole family to the beach.  Tia wants to buy a shiny green car to match the color of the ocean she wants to visit.  Saving is hard because she has to put the money she makes in two piles; one for here and one for helping money.  The helping money is so that family members who live far away can join them someday.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
Does anyone know someone who lives far away?  Does anyone know someone who lives in another state? Town?

Activity:

Have the students write about someone that they know who does not live with them, could be far away or in another town.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

Do you think it is important to save money for things that we want?

 

Activity:
Have the students write about something they would want to save money for, and how long it would take them to save.

Reflection:

I think this book is a wonderful way to show young children what life may be like for other children and families.  Some students may be able to relate to family being far away, either in other states, or countries, and more families are struggling today to make ends meet.  Children can see how hard some families have to work to enjoy something people may take for granted, like going to the beach.

The Three Pigs

Author/ Illustrator:  David Wiesner

About the Author:

David Wiesner was born in Bridgewater, New Jersey.  He attended Rhode Island School of Design.  He became an author/illustrator of children's books.  He has won many awards for his work.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 2-4

Synopsis:

This is a story about the three little pigs.  It starts off with the traditional version, and then the story is told from the point of view from the pig.  The pigs did not get eaten by the wolf; and they travel through other stories, and live happily ever after.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions: 

Who has heard of the 3 pigs?  Who are the pigs trying to get away from? What always happens to the pigs?

Activity: 

Have the class make a list of what they know happens in the story 3 little pigs.  Create a K-W-L chart to use before and after reading the story.

Post Reading Activity:

Questions:

Is that what everyone remembers about the 3 little pigs? Do they usually live happily ever after?  Why do they in this story?  What is different about this story?

Activity:

After reading the story, finish the K-W-L chart, have students get into groups and list the differences in the versions of three little pig stories they have now read.  Groups discuss whose point of view the book is from and why is it important for a story to be told from different perspectives.

Reflection:

I think this is a great way to show children there is more than one point of view in every story, even though you may not think from another perspective because the story usually is written to show you one point of view. There is always the other point of view.  I think we often read stories and only see the author's point of view, but it is refreshing when an author takes a different view from the norm. 

The Polar Express

Author/ Illustrator:  
Chris Van Allsburg                                                               


About the Author:
Chris Van Allsburg is from Grand Rapids Michigan, where he and his family moved to different houses when he was growing up.  He never took art classes in high school, but was accepted in the University of Michigan's art school.  After graduating he began sculpture work and did some drawings in his spare time.  His wife convinced him to draw for children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated 15 books and has illustrated three others that were written by Mark Helprin.

Genre: Fantasy/ Fiction
Grade Level: 1-3

Synopsis:

This is a story about a boy who after the town is sleeping gets on a train called the Polar Express.  He visits the North Pole where Santa offers him any gift he wants, and the boy chooses a bell from one of the reindeer’s harnesses.  On his way home the boy looses the bell, but on Christmas morning he finds the bell under the tree. 

The mother of the boy that received the bell thinks the bell is broken, but only believers of Santa and the magic of Christmas can hear the sound of the bell.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:

Who comes on Christmas Eve?  What does he drive? What pulls Santa’s sleigh?  Where does Santa live? How do you think people get there? Who has heard of the Polar Express?

Activity:

Have the class draw pictures of Santa and his reindeer, and the North Pole.

Post Reading Activity:

Questions:

Would you like to ride on the Polar Express? Would you like to have one of Santa’s reindeer’s bells?  Do you think you would be able to hear the bell?

Activity:

After reading the story, have the students write a letter to Santa, asking him for a bell from his reindeer’s, address it, and “send it” this would be done around Christmas, then as a gift for each student before Christmas, leave a bell on each of their desks from Santa. 

Reflection:

I think this is a great story for children to discover at anytime of the year, but especially around Christmas.  I think as adults we sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas, I think children have the ability to see hear things that adults can't.  Like Santa's bells on his reindeer.  I think adults become too consumed with busy schedules, which cloud their senses sometimes to what life/ Christmas should really be about.  I love the spirit this book brings to the reader.