Reading Author Study: Patricia Polacco

1. Reading Author Study: Patricia Polacco Rosemary Lay Curriculum & Strategies Spring, 2012

2. Goals Chicken Sunday Objective: Complete a reader survey and name specific qualities that make an author and their books outstanding. We will complete a Mile chart on story events. My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother Objective: Identify story elements of character, setting, problem, rising action, climax, falling action, and solution. We will work in groups to create Story Mountain charts (Tiered Activity). Thank You Mr. Falker Objective: Making text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections. We will answer higher-level questions and make text connections with the books we have read. Pink and Say Objective: Compare and Contrast main characters We will Sketch-to-Stretch while we listen to the story and compare and contrast the two main characters. The Keeping Quilt Objective: How an author’s real life is reflected in their writing. We will create our own quilt as a response to a text and write a paragraph about it. We will also do a Scavenger Hunt on Patricia Polacco. We will complete at least 3 activities on the Choice Board. Performance Task: As part of our BOM, we will each write a letter to a favorite teacher.

3. Review/Preview Find information on Patricia Polacco at: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/34885 Watch an interview with Patricia Polacco here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II8Qq_QYT9Y

4. Our Read Alouds.

5. Choice Board Mr. Lincoln’s Way Try to learn as much about birds as Eugene. Research and find facts about a bird native to Georgia. Then write a 1-2 paper paper about the bird. Use the information paper graphic organizer. Type your paper on a desktop, save it, then print it out.

6. Choice Board • Babushka’s Doll • Write an alternative ending to the story. See the direction sheet for details

7. Choice Board It is important to make connections with what we read: Text to Text: Text to Self Text to World Using index cards and complete sentences, make connections to other texts, yourself, and the world. We will model one of each before beginning independently. • Thank You Mr. Falker

8. Choice Board • The Keeping Quilt • 1. After reading The Keeping Quiltby Patricia Polacco, discuss the many uses of the quilt in the story. • 2. Since the quilt in the story was comprised of many different artifacts from family members, students will decorate their own “fabric square” to create a classroom quilt. • 3. Begin by brainstorming . What could you “sew” on your quilt that will represent you and your family? Write down a list of at least three things and share with a partner. • 4. Pass out the “fabric” squares. We will be using construction paper and “sewing” the quilt onto bulletin board paper. • 5. Finally, write a paragraph about what you included on your quilt square and why.

9. Performance Task As part of Teacher Appreciation and Book of the Month you will be writing a friendly letter to one of your previous teachers. Be sure to tell why and how they have impacted your education. Remember to follow the friendly letter format on the directions sheet and use your rubric to be sure you have included each part.