Using quotes from the explorers’ journals, Rosalyn Schanzer, writer and illustrator of How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis & Clark, brings to life the “hair-raising adventures and narrow escapes” of Lewis and Clark.
The journal excerpts and illustrations provide students with thrilling and intriguing accounts of the expedition. It can be used as informative piece or expand on it by discussing how the Lewis and Clark expedition impacted America’s history.
“On October 24, 1804, we saw one of the Grand Chiefs of the Mandans out hunting. With great cordiality we smoked the pipe. Every day curious men, women, and children flocked down to see us. These are the most friendly Indians inhabiting the Missouri.”
“The bear was so close that the men threw aside their guns and threw them into the river, though the bank was 20 feet high. The animal plunged into the water a few feet behind the second man.”
Curriculum Connections
Use this book to discuss the Lewis and Clark expedition, westward expansion, American Indians, geography, and life sciences. Themes in this book correlate with Virginia SOLs USI.1, USI.2, and USI.8.
Additional Resources .
Book: How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis & Clark
Author/ Illustrator: Rosalyn Schanzer
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Publication Date: 1997
Pages: 48 pages
Grade Range: 2-6
ISBN: 0792267265
Our White House: Looking In Looking Out, is an anthology that is a beautiful compilation of 108 renowned authors and illustrators. It was created in association with the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA) and the Office of First Lady Laura Bush. This book offers its readers stories, poetry and artwork that spans Amerian history from within the walls of The White House and its many residents, who, of course, were Persidents! This is truly a very special book, with the literary and art works donated, and all royalties going to support the NCBLA as it promotes literacy, libraries and the arts.
Curriculum Connections: Our White House: Looking In Looking Out is a wonderful book for teaching various civics and history lessons. Civics SOLs K.9, 2.11, 3.11. History SOLs K.1. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3.
Additional Resources:
This website allows children to read about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in a hands-on, child-friendly manner. It offers basic information about both Presidents, and has additional resources that could be used on lesson about these specific Presidents.
This website provides instruction and information on how to write a letter to the President of the United States. This would be a fun and interesting activity associated with this book and/or President’s Day activities.
This website offers several printable booklets for various ages from easy reader levels to a bit more advanced. There are booklets for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They include basic information about each President and allow for coloring in the pictures on each page.
General Information:
Book: Our White House: Looking In Looking Out
Author: 108 Authors and Illustrators
Illustrator: Various
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 256
Grade Range: K - 6
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2067-7
Martin Luther King Jr. played a significant role in United States history. In As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Towards Freedom, written by Richard Michelson, young readers will learn about his battles to change our history and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s reasons join in that fight.
This child friendly book does a superb job presenting complicated events. Students will learn how Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel became leaders in the Civil Rights Movement.
“The time has come for action,” Martin told his congregation. “Don’t ride the buses until we can sit wherever we please.”
Curriculum Connections
Use this book to discuss the Civil Rights movement, the Holocaust, civics, biographies, and diversity. Themes in this book correlate with Virginia SOLs 2.11, 3.11, VS.9c, USII.7, USII.8d and USII.9a.
Additional Resources .
Book: As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Towards Freedom
Author: Richard Michelson
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 40 pages
Grade Range: K-5
ISBN: 0375933352
So You Want to Be President? is a humorous look at the responsibilities of the President of the United States. This story can be used to describe what the President does, along with some information on some of our past presidents.
“One thing is certain, if you want to be President - and stay President - be honest. Harry Truman paid for his own postage stamps. Grover Cleveland was famous for his motto: ‘Tell the truth’. Other Presidents weren’t so honest. Democrat Bill Clinton was impeached for lying under oath.”
This story also talks about some everyday activities that Presidents do, or don’t do, that would relate to student’s every day lives.
“Some Presidents knew how to dance and some didn’t. Our first President did a mean minuet. At his inaugural ball George Washington danced with every lady but his wife. (Mrs. W had stayed home!)”
This story should be used with an extension about President Obama as it mentions that:
“Every President was different from every other and yet no woman has been president. No person of color has been President. No person who wasn’t a Protestant or a Roman Catholic has been President. But if you care enough, anything is possible.”
Curriculum Connections:
This story aligns with VA Civics SOL K.9, expressing that Kindergarteners should understand that the President is the leader of the United States. This story however can easily be used with older students to introduce learning about biographies of individual presidents.
Additional Resources:
Scholastic’s website has an audio recording of the story along with expansion questions about the story, and a connection to President Obama.
Eduscape’s website has a plethora of resources relating to Presidents, connecting them to the story for older students.
Apples4theteacher.com provides activities for President’s Day for a wide age range of students.
General Information:
Book: So You Want to Be President?
Author: Judith St. George
Illustrator: David Small
Publisher: Philomel
Publication Date: August 21, 2000
ISBN-13: 978-0399234071
Introduction and Summary:
I pledge allegiance, byBill Martin Jr. and Micahel Sampson, illustrated by Chris Raschka, is a great tool to use when teaching students about civics. The book does a great job explaining the pledge to students by defining terms that are likely unfamilar to them. For instance, the authors explain that, “A pledge is a promise” and “A flag is a symbol that stands for a place, a thing or an idea.”
The book also has many sidebars with additional facts about the US, such as “Each state has its own name, its own song, bird and flower, its own favorite food, some of its own laws, and even its own flag!” The authors also do a nice job explaining the US flag, and what each color symbolizes, as well as explaining the proper body language to put forth when saying the pledge.
Curriculum Connections:
This book is a great tool to use when teaching VA SOL K.9, “The student will recognize the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance and know that the president is the leader of the United States.” It could also be employed at the first grade level to satisfy VA SOL 1.11 B, “The student will recognize the symbols and traditional practices that honor and foster patriotism in the United States by demonstrating respect for the American flag by learning about the Pledge of Allegiance.”
Additional Resources:
-This flag coloring sheet can be used to help students become more familar with the American flag.
-This flag fact sheet can be used for students performing above grade level.
-Have students make their own Pledge of Allegiance book using this handout.
-This lesson plan provides a great way to incorporate the flag and mathematics.
General Information:
Book: I pledge allegiance
Authors: Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: June 2004
Pages: 40
Grade Range: K-1
ISBN: 9780763625276
“I was shackled by my wrists and ankles to a man on my right and one to my left. I could not stand. I could not turn over. I will never understand what I did to deserve this” ( Lester 9).
The statement describes the hardships of the lives of African slaves from 1518 to 1865. The excerpt comes from the book, entitled From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, that describes the journey of black slaves from the Middle Passage to post-Civil War emancipation. Written by Julius Lester, From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, uses various questions to probe the reader’s imagination and feelings on the issue of slavery in America. The book contains vivid pictures that accurately enhance the punishment and mistreatment of the slaves. From Slave Ship to Freedom Road takes the reader on a real-life experience from the horrors of the Middle Passage to the freedom of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Curriculum Connections
From Slave Ship to Freedom Road is very vivid and should only be used within certain classroom settings. For instance, excerpts may be used to describe the life of a slave in a visual graphic manner. From Slave Ship to Freedom Road introduces the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 that was passed by the federal government in order to legalize punishment for those who helped runaway slaves. Teacher may use the law to determine students’ personal view of those who helped the slaves to freedom. Students are able to relive and understand the roles of the whites, African Americans, and free African Americans (VS.5).
Additional Resource
- Teaching the History of Slavery -Includes a lesson plan for of the Middle Passage in regards to American history. The website also contains rubrics for grading.
- The Author-Check out other works by Julius Lester! This website includes folktales, short tales, and novels.
Book: From Slave Ship to Freedom Road
Author: Julius Lester
Illustrator: Rod Brown
Publisher: Puffin
Publication Date: December 1, 1999
Pages: 40 pages
Grade Range: 4-8
ISBN: 0140566694
Introduction:
Civil rights is an important aspect of American History. There are many important people that helped create a desegregated America. Even though some of these individuals may have done small things to help achieve desegragation, they made important impacts on the Civil Rights movement. One such contribution was done by Rosa Parks. Rosa by Nikki Giovanni tells the story of Rosa Parks and the important contriubtion that she had on the civil rights movement. In addition, this book relates other important aspects that occured during the Civil Rights Movement.
Summary:
Rosa begins as a story introducing the audience to the normal life that Rosa lead up to her couragious act. It tells of the job that Rosa held and the thoughts that her community members had about the job that she would do. As the story develops further on, we learn of what Rosa went through that particular day and come to realize that she too was getting tired of the seperation taking place. After Rosa arrest for sitting in the white section, the story continues on narrating what other people did that day. We see that her community banded together in support of Rosa and her couragious act. We come to see that the Supreme Court ruled that seperate was not equal. In addition to learning about the Supreme Court decision, the story mentions what happened in Mississippi to a boy name Emmett Till. After this took place, there was a big meeting between the Women’s Political Council, the NAACP, and all the surrounding churches. We see the march that Dr. Martin Luther King lead and the book finishes with the ruling that segragation on buses was illegal; Segragation was wrong.
Curriculum Connections:
After introducing Rosa Parks and going over her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement this book could be used to end the lesson. It could help students see that Rosa Parks was just a normal citizen like they are. It would help students see that if you feel something is wrong, have courage and stand up for what you believe. It could help 3.11b)reiterate the the basic principles that form a republic foundation by identifying the contribution that Rosa Parks had on the civil rights movement. In addition, this book could used to introduce Rosa Parks at the beginning of a lesson. After reading the book, could go into more detail of the life of Rosa Parks.
Additional Resources:
For background information on Rosa Parks and additional information on that faithful bus day try visiting Rosa Parks Biography.
For videos that could show in class on important historical information related to the Civil Rights Movements and Rosa Parks try visiting They Changed the World.
Civil Rights Movement provides specifc information on the Montgomery Bus Boycott. It details what events lead up to the bus boycott, including Rosa Park’s refusal. In addition, it provides information on what happened after the boycott was held.
General Information:
Book: Rosa
Author: Nikki Giovanni
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 1-24
Grade Range: 1-3
ISBN: 0312376022
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, is a story about a little mouse who loves going to school and always follows the rules. She even wants to be a teacher when she grows up! One day, Lilly comes to school with a purple purse, cute sunglasses, and shiny quarters, and when she is unable to hold in her enthusiasm a few consequences follow her actions.
“Throughout the rest of the day, Lilly’s purse and quarters and sunglasses were tucked safely inside her desk. She peeked at them often but did not disturb a soul.”
Curriculum Connections
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse would be a great book to introduce the importance for having and following rules. Teachers can also emphasize other English concepts such as oral and writing skills by having students write or speak about a time when they did something that resulted in a bad consequence, or something which they regretted. Students should recognize that breaking these rules will have consequences. Teachers can also integrate math skills such as coin recognition into a lesson using this story.
Additional Resources
- Story recall activity: Students must color and cut out the items that Lilly had in her purse and glue them on the purse template.
- Students should write about a time when they did something that they regretted. What were the consequences of their actions?
- Read the story with your students the first week of school. Then, hand out the assignment for your students to create their own “purse” (bookbags for boys). Inside the purse should be a few selected items that reflect their uniqueness. Have students present their purses and bookbags to the class.
- Counting worksheet using items found in the book
- Coin recognition and value worksheet (also includes story recall)
Book: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition
Publication Date: 1996
Pages:32
Grade Range: K-3
ISBN: 0688128971
My Brother Martin, written by Christine King Farris and beautifully illustrated by Chris Soentpiet tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the eyes of his sister Christine.
In this book we learn about the boyhood of King, known to his sister as “ML”. The author tells us that she and her brothers ML, and AD grew up in Atlanta, Georgia just like normal children. Their days were filled with books, games, friends, and even playing pranks on unsuspecting neighbors. However, she tells us that this was “back in a time when certain places in our country had unfair laws that said it was right to keep black people separated.” ML and his siblings didn’t quite understand the effects of these laws until one day their white playmates were no longer allowed to play with them. Martin is especially confused by what is happening and asks his mother, “Why do white people treat colored people so mean?” His mother answers, “Because they just don’t understand that everyone is the same, but someday, it will be better.” The author tells us that she will always remember ML’s reply, “one day I’m going to turn this world upside down.” The story then continues to tell how ML grew up to become a civil rights leader who “dreamed a dream, that turned the world upside down.”
Curriculum Connections
This book would pair well with any lesson about the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. It could be used for students who are learning about Americans whose contributions improved the lives of others (SOL 2.11, SOL 3.11), as well as the theme that Americans are a people of diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who are united by the basic principles of a republican form of government and respect for individual rights and freedoms (SOL 3.12).
Additional Resources
Author: Christine King Farris
Illustrator: Chris Soentpiet
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 40
Grade Range: 2-4
ISBN: 978-0689843884
Most children know that George Washington was the first President of the United States. But can they tell you how he got there? Anne Rockwell’s new book, Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington, takes readers on a journey throughout Washington’s life; from childhood to the battle fields to President. Beautifully illustrated by Matt Phelan, your students will learn not only of Big George’s personal life, but of his contributions to the beginnings of America.
Instead of beginning the book with what Washington was most known for, Rockwel’s opening page states: “George Washington wasn’t afraid of anything, except making conversation. He was shy.” From there, we learn of George’s early and difficult childhood, his studies, and his brave contributions in battles in fighting for America’s independence. He begins his military career fighting under the English general Edward Braddock, but is eventually elected to General of the American troops against England, for whom he had pledged his allegiance to for his whole life. Students will also learn of his contributions to fight for an independent America, with his signing of the Declaration of Independence, his pleads for help from the French, and his contributions in declaring America an independent state. Only the last page mentions Washington as President. Many students will be surprised to know that the shy George had no interest in being President, but felt he felt it was his duty to do so. Rockwell’s book concludes with this: “As history shows, President George Washington…proved to be as good a leader in peace as in war–and his leadership shaped the nation America was to become.”
Curriculum Connections
This would be a great book to use when beginning a unit on Washington or the American Revolutionary War. It can be introduced in second grade for SOL 2.11, where students identify George Washington in American civics. Additionally, SOL 3.11 focuses on identifying Washington’s contributions to the foundations of our government. Big George may also be used with the United States History SOL USI.6, where students must describe the roles of key individuals such as Washington in the American revolution.
Additional Resources
- Brandon Marie Miller’s book George Washington for Kids is not only a book with a wealth of kid-friendly information on Washington, but provides directions for 21 activities related to the First President. For example, your students can make a quill pen just like Washington used!
- This website provides a wealth of lesson plans, activities and kid-friendly articles on Washington.
- This webquest will challenge your students to learn about some other important people during the American Revolution.
General Information:
Book: Big George
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Publisher: Harcourt
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 48
Grade Range: 2-5
ISBN:0152165835
