The book I chose is Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. I think this book is great for kids in grades 1-5. I have read this book to my own children many times. It has inspired a lot of conversations in class and at home. The book is about a young donkey who collects rocks, he finds "quite an extraordinary one" and finds out it has magic. When he wishes for things they happen. He soon finds out that having all the things you wish for is not always the best thing.
When reading this book, students right away start making connections with this character, like; things they would wish for if they found a magic pebble, how they would react if they were in trouble(calm and collected or would they panic like Sylvester), Real life abductions conversations arise when they read the part about the Sylvester's parents going everywhere looking for him. Guiding ?'s might be, how do you think your parents might feel if you didn't come home? What should Sylvester have wished for instead of becoming a rock? Some Ideas for extension activities might be the use of similies and metaphors, synonyms and antonyms, cause and effect, physical changes in the environment(seasons), calculation of elapsed time in the story.
When reading this book, students right away start making connections with this character, like; things they would wish for if they found a magic pebble, how they would react if they were in trouble(calm and collected or would they panic like Sylvester), Real life abductions conversations arise when they read the part about the Sylvester's parents going everywhere looking for him. Guiding ?'s might be, how do you think your parents might feel if you didn't come home? What should Sylvester have wished for instead of becoming a rock? Some Ideas for extension activities might be the use of similies and metaphors, synonyms and antonyms, cause and effect, physical changes in the environment(seasons), calculation of elapsed time in the story.
1 comment:
I also like to read this book to my students when learning to describe feelings. Sylvester and his parents went through many different feeling. I use the book to discuss with children how a problem can be resolve more quickly if they are able to express their feelings. In order to help the children learn about the feelings we act out various feelings such as excited, surprised, frightened, confused, miserable et..
The book may also be use when studying about the weather, seasons, hibernation, animal babies and community helpers.
Ms. C.
Post a Comment