THE KEEPING QUILT

The Keeping Quilt, by beloved children's author Patricia Polacco, is a beautiful Historical Fiction genre book that that can give a grade 3-5 reader a peek into the Multi-culutral word of its author.  In this story we take a journey from Polacco's homeland of Russia to the brand new world  of America. As Patricia's main character, Anna, transitions into this new and strange land she finds comfort and refuge in meaningful and sentimental tradition that becomes all wrapped up in the beautiful tapestry of a quilt.

First published in 1988 and re-released in 2001, this book is a timeless story of the journey of a immigrating family that must find their new place in a new land while holding on tight to their culture and their family's history.  The gorgeous, detailed illustrations in this book use the artistic facet of color to embolden the emphasize of the culture and tradition that Anna and her family hold dear through many generations.  The color visually emphasized in the quilt brings the quilt to life and makes it another main character as it is passed from mother to daughter over the years. The quilt portrays the theme that the love and tradition of a family can truly stand the test of time.

Discussion Questions:

- What is an immigrant?

- What would it be like to leave everything behind to go to a new land?

- What things would you want to take with you to remember your home?

- How would you feel if you went to a school where no one else spoke English?

- What traditions did Anna's family keep besides the quilt?  What are some examples?

- Why do you think the quilt is so important to Anna's family?

Motivational Activity:

Students will be given squares of construction paper, crayons, and glue sticks to make their own keeping quilt.  Students will discuss the pictures on Anna's quilt and what each one meant to her and her family.  Students will then be asked to pair share with their partner about what are some things in their lives that mean a lot to them, their family, and culture.  After each partner has been given the opportunity to share they will then get to work independently on decorating their squares and then past them onto one big sheet of paper to create their own quilt. They can even take a few squares home to decorate with their family before bringing them back to decorate their quilt.  The quilts will be displayed around the room for when the class has a cultural night where parents are invited to attend and see their child's quilt.

If you like this Historical Fiction Book, here are some other titles you might enjoy:

*Babushka's Doll (1990) : Grades 3-5

*Pepe the Lamplighter (1997) : Grades PK-3


Resource:

Polacco, P.  (1988).  The keeping quilt. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster 

WHERE THE SIDE WALK ENDS

Where the Sidewalk Ends is a compilation of poems and and drawings by famous children's Author and illustrator Shel Silverstein.  This book, from the poetry/verse genre, is full of fun poems that are perfectly paired with zany illustrations to capture the creativity and joy of childhood.  The playful illustrations are done as black and white sketches which give it a very young, rough feeling that alludes to the doodling of young children.  Silverstein does an amazing job, throughout this volume of children's poetry, of making connections through his words and artwork to a time in adolescence when everything is new and exciting.  However, this book of poems is geared best toward children in grades 2-5. Originally published in 1974, this book was just recently released as a 40th Anniversary edition only further proving the notoriety and lovable nature of this book and its hold upon the minds and hearts of young children.

Here's a musical and animated presentation of one of the poems in Where the Sidewalk Ends

Here is another video that is a more realistic and visual interpretation, that would be great for older students, of the title poem Where the Sidewalk Ends

Discussion Questions:

- When you hear this poem what does it make you picture in your mind?

- How does this poem make you feel?

- Describe those feelings and explain why it makes you feel that way.

- Do you think that you could write poetry like this author?

- If you wrote your own poems what would they be about and why?

- Why do you the author, Shel Silverstein wrote these poems?

Motivational Activity:

After reading a few poems from this book throughout the week, Students will have an opportunity to write their own poem like Mr. Silverstein.  They will be given time to choose their own topic for their poem that they will submit to the teacher for approval.  Then they will be given time to brainstorm and pre-write.  Students will then be taught about the principle and value of respect, a core value taught through word and deed at Saint Leo University. They will discuss how important it is to show respect to others and their creative work when shared within the classroom and outside of it.  Teacher will then share their own pre-written poem with the class before opening up a discussion about what the students liked and what they thought was unclear or may need editing.  Teacher will model how to take constructive criticism and make edits they deem important.  Students will then form small groups where they will help one another give constructive feedback before they work independently on the finished product of their poem.  Students will get the opportunity to each stand and share, or have teacher read their poem, for the whole class to appreciate and support.

If you like this Poetry Book, here are some other titles you might enjoy:

*A Light in the Attic (1981) : Grades 2-5

*It's Raining Pigs and Noodles (2000) : Grades 1-5


Resource:

Silverstein, S. (1974).  Where the sidewalk ends. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers

HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX

Henry's Freedom Box is a beautiful yet heart-wrenching multicultural biography about a former slave who escaped through the Underground Railroad to find freedom. Written by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson and published in 2007, this beautifully told real-life story is perfect for grades 3-5. Through this book they are able to learn more about what the life of a slave was really like in the 1800's and what many of those slaves had to endure to find their own freedom using the Underground Railroad network.

The full-page drawings play a crucial role in the telling of the story, as they bring visual imagery to Henry's story, conveying both emotion and description through pictures.
With its riveting storyline and beautiful illustrations, that pull the reader into Henry's world, this books is perfect for classroom use during a Social Studies lesson. It takes an average History lesson out of the text book and gives it new life and meaning as the students get to follow the main character through his arduous journey to freedom through his wooden box. Students can find greater appreciation for their own freedom as they see how much Henry was willing to endure to gain his.


Discussion Questions:

- What does the word freedom really mean?

- What does it mean to say that someone is a slave?

- What would it feel like to never get to celebrate your birthday or have your family taken away?

- Do you think that you could be a good worker, like Henry, if you were treated that way?

- How do you think masters saw their slaves?  What in the story makes you think that?

- Why do you think Henry would go through so much to travel inside of an uncomfortable box?

Motivational Activity:

Students will get a chance to make their own freedom box with an old shoe box.  However, instead of using their box to find freedom, like Henry had to do, the students will have the opportunity to work in small groups to come up with things that they are grateful for because of their freedom.  Students will discuss the things in the book that were taken away from Henry and the things that they now enjoy everyday because of their freedom and then place those things on pieces of paper before adding them to the box. Students will then get to play a game where the teacher will play an old African Spiritual and the different groups must keep trading boxes like hot potato. When the music stops whoever had a box still in their hand must take out a slip of paper and share one freedom that the writer of that slip of paper was is grateful for. The game continues until all the slips have been read or the lesson time is up.

If you like this Biography Book, here are some other titles you might enjoy:

*Harriet Tubman (2008) : Grades 5-12

*If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King (1990) : Grades 2-5


Resource:

Levine, E.  (2007).  Henry's freedom box: A true story from the underground railroad.  New York, NY: Scholastic