The Way to Start a Day by Byrd Baylor

The Way to Start a Day

Written by Byrd Baylor

Illustrated by Peter Parnall

Book Review

Language Arts

1. Discuss the meaning of freestyle prose and compare it to other types of poetry.

2. Vocabulary study including: east, chant, power, honor, dawn, temple, sway, sacred, pale, streak, offering, mysterious, exactly, float, salute, ceremony, shrines, mesa, magic

3. Have each child write about their start to a typical day using freestyle prose.

Social Studies

1. Individual or small group guided inquiry on a culture of their choice. This could include a presentation for the class.

2. Create a map that details all the cultures discussed in the book.  

Math

1. Calculate the distance from various places described in the book to other places discussed. For example: How many miles is it from Peru to Egypt?  From Peru to Mexico?  

This could lead to discussion about methods of travel and travel times.  For example:  How might one travel from Mexico to Egypt?  How long might those methods take?

Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Green

Written and Illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Book Trailer, etc.

Language Arts

1.  Green's simplicity prompts higher level questioning:  

Why did the author write this book? 

Why did she choose the particular green subjects she chose?  

If you were to write a book about a specific color, what would it be? Why?  

What do you think prompted the author to choose the words she used?  

What other words could she have used?

2.  Guided inquiry based on book subjects.  Students can research forests, sea turtles, limes or green fruit/vegetables, jungles, caterpillars, etc.  This research can be done individually or with a partner or small group.  Students can follow up their research by creating a presentation for the class.

3. Students can create a color book of their own using their favorite color.  Encourage them to consider cut outs similar to those used in Green as they plan for their books.  This can be done in groups or individually.  Once their books have been published, arrange for your students to partner with another class or younger grade to share their work.  Finally, books can be added to the classroom library for all to share.