Themed+Literature+Unit

=THEMED LITERATURE UNIT:=

We are so excited to be looking at books and poems about friendship for the next two weeks. We are studying what it means to be a true friend. We all need to have friends to be happy, but it can be hard to know what it takes to be a true friend. Making friends can be scary. We hope that you will share your stories about friendship with the class!
 * __Welcome wonderful C-3 Parents and Guardians:__**

In this unit, students will read books and poems about friendship to learn the skills and actions that we need to feel comfortable making friends. We will learn how to make friends by seeing how other people (and even animals) make friends. The characters in our books are good examples for us to follow.

By learning these skills, we become more confident when we need to use them. The skills of being good friends make us better people. By being a true friend, we make the world a better place to live in. These are skills that we can use every day and everywhere! This unit will also help kids learn how to find out how to use books to learn skills that they can use in their own lives. These skills make every book a door to new ideas and new skills.

Here is a list of the books we will be using in class. The kids will have all the books they need in class, but if you want to look at what we are reading you can check them out from C-3, the Maple Library, or the Seattle Public Library. If you are looking for other books about friends, I have some great ones at the bottom of the page. Contact me whenever! I always love to hear from parents! My contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.

//* True friends come in all shapes, sizes and colors and sometimes we find true friends where we least expect.// //* Being a true friend isn’t always easy.// //*To have a true friend you have to be a true friend.// //* Find the main problem in a story.// //* Find books of different genres and find which genre they like the best.// //* Write a friendly letter correctly.// Here is a list of the books we will be using in class, it can also be called an "annotated thematic book list", but I like just plain old "book list" better. The books are separated into different kinds of books, or genres (fiction, non-fiction, fables, wordless books and poetry). I listed the books reading level as beginner, middle, or harder. There is a brief description of the book. I also listed how the book relates to the theme, and how we will use the book in class. The kids will have all the books they need in class, but if you want to look at what we are reading you can check them out from C-3, the Maple Library, or the Seattle Public Library. If you are looking for other books about friends, I have some great ones at the bottom of the page!
 * Students will understand that:**
 * Students will be able to:**
 * Book List: **

By Kevin Henkes:
 * **Fiction:**


 * __Chester's Way__**



Description: Lilly is the “new kid”. She is so annoying! Chester already has a best friend. Can Lilly and Chester ever learn to be friends?

Reading Level: Middle

Theme: This book explores the idea of finding friends where we least expect them and how to have a true friend you have to be a true friend.

How we use it: We will read this book aloud.

Citation: Henkes, K. (1991). //Chester’s Way.// New York, NY: Scholastic.


 * __A Weekend With Wendell__**



Description: Wendell is coming to stay at Sophie’s house. Wendell and Sophie don't get along, and they never will, right?

Reading Level: Middle

Theme: This book shows how we find friends where we least expect them, and how being a true friend isn’t always easy.

How we use it: This book will be used in reading groups.

Citation: Henkes, K. (1986). //A Weekend With Wendell.// New York, NY: Weekly reader.


 * __Wemberly Worried__**



Description: Wemberly is worried about everything! How will she be able to go to school?

Reading Level: Middle

Theme: This book explores the idea that we find friends where we least expect them.

How we use it: We will read this book aloud.

Citation: Henkes, K. (2000). //Wemberly Worried.// Hong Kong, China: South China Printing Company. || **Fiction:** By other authors:

By Sarah Stewart Pictures by David Small
 * __The Gardener__**



Description: Lydia has just moved in with her Uncle. He is always so grumpy! How Lydia be ever be able to get her uncle Jim to smile?

Reading Level: Harder

Theme: This book shows how being a true friend isn’t always easy, and that sometimes to have a true friend you have to be a true friend. This book will also be used to teach the style of the friendly letter.

How we use it: We will read this book aloud.

Citation: Stewart, S. (1997). //The Gardener.// New York, NY: Scholastic.

By Arnold Lobel
 * __Frog and Toad are Friends__**



We will read the story "The Letter" Description: Frog has trouble trying to cheer up his friend. He decides to write him a letter.

Reading Level: Beginner-Middle

Theme: This book shows that to have a true friend you have to be a true friend. This book also will be used to teach how to write a friendly letter

How we use it: This story will be read aloud, and in table groups.

Citation: Lobel, A. (1970). //Frog and Toad are Friends.// New York, NY: HarperCollins.

By Amanda Doering Tourville Illustrated by Kristin Sorra
 * __My Friend has Autism__**



Description: We are all different. Nick and Zach are two friends who share a love of airplanes. Sometimes they don’t get along, but they are always friends.

Reading Level: Middle

Theme: This book explores the idea that friends come in all shapes and sizes, and that being a true friend isn’t always easy.

How we use it: We will use this book in book groups.

Citation: Tourville, A.D. (2010). //My Friend Has Autism.// Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books.

By Amanda Doering Tourville Illustrated by Kristin Sorra
 * __My Friend has Down Syndrome__**



Description: Carmen and Sarah help each other because they are true friends. They need to rely on each other when times are tough.

Reading Level: Middle

Theme: This book explores the idea that friends come in all shapes and sizes, and that being a true friend isn’t always easy.

How we use it: We will use this book as a read aloud.

Citation: Tourville, A.D. (2010). //My Friend Has Down Syndrome.// Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books. ||
 * **Nonfiction:**

Told by: Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
 * __Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship__**



Description: An amazing true story about a turtle and hippo's friendship.

Reading Level: Harder

Theme: This book explores the idea that we find friends where we least expect them.

How we use it: We will read this book aloud.

Citation: Hatkoff, I., Hatkoff, C., & Kahumbu, P. (2006). Owen and Mzee: //The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship//. Mexico City, Mexico: Scholastic. || **Fables:**

Illustrated by Fulvio Testa
 * __Aesop's Fables__**



We will use the tale of "The Lion and the Mouse" on page 20

Description: A classic tale of a mouse and a lion. How can a little mouse ever be friends with a big lion?

Reading Level: Beginner

Theme: This book explores the idea that we find friends where we least expect them, and to have a true friend you have to be a true friend.

How we use it: We will use this story as a shared reading.

Citation: Testa, F. (1989). //Aesop’s Fables.// Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s. ||
 * **Wordless books:**

by Eric Carle
 * __Do You Want To Be My Friend?__**



Description: A book about how hard it can be to find a friend. This book has very few words.

Reading Level: Beginner

Theme: This book is about how sometimes you find a friend where you least expect.

How we use it: This book will be read in book groups.

Citation: Carle, E. (1976). //Will You Be My Friend?// Mexico City, Mexico: HaperCollins. || **Poetry:** Oh, there once was a Puffin Just the shape of a muffin, And he lived on an island In the bright blue sea! He ate little fishes, That were most delicious, And he had them for supper And he had them for tea. But this poor little Puffin, He couldn’t play nothin’, For he hadn’t anybody To play with at all. So he sat on his island, And he cried for awhile, and He felt very lonely, And he felt very small. Then along came the fishes, And they said, “If you wishes, You can have us for playmates, Instead of for tea!” So they now play together, In all sorts of weather, And the Puffin eats pancakes, Like you and like me.
 * __There Once Was A Puffin…__**

//by Florence Page Jaques// You can find this poem online: [] Description: A puffin is lonely and makes friends with the fishes.

Reading Level: Beginner

Theme: This book is about how // true friends come in all shapes, sizes and colors and sometimes we find true friends where we least expect. //

How we use it: This poem will be used as a shared reading.

Citation: Jaques, F.P. (n.d.) There Once Was a Puffin…. //Puffinpalooza.// Retrieved October 20, 2012. []. ||


 * __Read more! Here are some more good books about friends:__**

By Kevin Henkes:
 * __Jessica__**
 * __Julius: The Baby of the World__**
 * __Chrysanthemum__**

By Other Authors:**__Henry and Mudge and the Tall Tree House__** by Cynthia Rylant.
 * __'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving__** by Dav Pilkey
 * __Enemy Pie__** by Derek Munson
 * __Unlikley Friendships__** by Jenifer Holland
 * __Mis Amigos/My Friends__** by Taro Gomi
 * __Rainbow Fish__** by Marcus Pfister
 * __A Lesson for Martin Luther King Jr__** by Denise Lewis Patrick

//Feel free to email me at hillc4@seattleu.edu, call me at 206-218-9617, or write me a letter at// //Mr. Hill care of Maple School, 4925 Corson Ave S. Seattle, WA 98108 // // Of course you can also stop by and talk with me before or after school. //
 * __Questions, comments, or concerns:__**
 * We are always looking for parent volunteers and visitors! Our class is your class. **

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