Author/Illustrator: Diane Siebert/Stephen T. Johnson
Plot Summary: America is explored through art, history and poetry. We visit over 25 landmarks, natural areas or cities around the United States. Artwork, a poem, and some interesting facts are provided for each site. The sites are also identified on a map. The book begins with a poem highlighting towns across the United States.
Comments: This book provides a great vehicle for teaching children about poetry. By relating the poetry to something tangible, and even visable, it becomes more relevant and easier to comprehend.
Extensions:
1. After hearing and discussions some of the poems in the book, students will write a poem about a place they have visited.
2. After writing a poem about a place they have visited, students will show the location on a map and present the poem to the class.
3. For further curriculum integration, students will work with the art teacher to "prepare"(medium to be determined) a piece of artwork to accompany their poem.
Themes/keywords: United States-Poetry; United States-in art;
Age/Reading Level: Interest level - 3-6; ATOS - 7.3; Follett - 4.6(In consideration of the vast difference in these reading levels, perhaps an attempt should not be made to "level" books of this nature.)
Standards:(comparable standards for 5 - 8)
SS4G1 The student will be able to locate important physical and man-made features in the United States.
a. Locate major physical features of the United States; include the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Great Plains, the Continental Divide, the Great Basin, Death Valley, the Gulf of Mexico, the St. Lawrence River, and the Great Lakes.
b. Locate major man-made features; include New York City, NY; Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; and the Erie Canal.
MAP AND GLOBE SKILLS GOAL: The student will use maps to retrieve social studies information.
ELA4R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
ELA4R2 The student consistently reads at least twenty-five books or book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) each year. The materials should include traditional and contemporary literature (both fiction and non-fiction) as well as magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and electronic material. Such reading should represent a diverse collection of material from at least three different literary forms and from at least five different writers.
Publisher's Info: Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0-8118-5056-8
ISBN-10: 0-8118-5056-0
Awards/Review Sources:
Wilson's Children 10/01/06 | School Library Journal starred 06/01/06 |
| Book Links (A.L.A.) 09/01/07 | Booklist 06/01/06 |
| New York Times 06/04/06 | Horn Book 10/01/06 |
| Kirkus Review 05/15/06 | Christian Library 12/01/06 |
Genre/Dewey: 811
Websites:
Various website for locations described in the book
An interview with the author and illustrator.
A similar book for younger readers - Train Song is also by Diane Siebert
Other books by Diane Siebert from Amazon
Notes for Booktalk: Find various sites on a map; use websites to provide additional information
Vocabulary:
Comments