| Woody Guthrie Elementary School Curriculum
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Introduction
A
rich pool of literature about
Woody Guthrie invites the student to respond in an open-ended way.
Here are some ways to respond to literature that combine the four
elements of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Getting Started
In the area of
your classroom where you have shared reading, post a list of possible
responses to literature. As the children become familiar with these responses
throughout the year they will be able to discern which response fits a
particular book. For example, a book with lots of characters may be fun
to put on as a play, whereas a book with lots of dialogue might make a
good cartoon strip. Perhaps children in the same lit circle may want to
make a mural together or put on a puppet show about their book.
Activity
Even though these
responses are open-ended, students will implement them more effectively
if you do a lot of modeling early in the school year. Teach not only the
procedures but reasons why some responses fit certain kinds of books better
than others.
Responses
to Literature
- Make
puppets
- Make
a book box
- Design
a Quilt
- Do
a Readers Theater
- Put
on a play
- Illustrate
- Design
a book jacket
- Paint
a mural
- Write
a newscast
- Write
a poem
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- Draw
a Cartoon strip
- Write
a song
- Grandma's
Fan
- Give
a speech as if you were a character
- Complete
an author study
- Make
a story map
- Write
a different ending
- Research
to find out more
- Write
favorite phrases and make mobile
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Whatever responses
students choose to do, the most important part is sharing them with the
rest of the class. Thus, the puppeteers will perform a show, the artist
who made a book box diorama will explain it, the quilters will tell how
their quilt reflects their understanding of the book. What fun ways to
check for comprehension! As students share, they will inevitably end up
making book recommendations to one another, encouraging their classmates
to read more. The sharing will also deepen their collective identity as
a community of learners.
During the whole
morning of language arts, Woody Guthrie music will be playing quietly
in the background. Perhaps students will sing along as favorite songs
develop among them. Keep the U.S. Map pulled down for those students who
need to locate places on the map. (See Math)
Here
are some examples of what students have done.
| Students
from Theresa's Second Grade class created a cartoon about Woody. (Click on images for larger picture.) |
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And a student drew a cover for the book DUST FOR DINNER. And another wrote in her journal about their upcoming play. |
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