Book of the Week: 21 Elephants and Still Standing

The Brooklyn Bridge took 14 years to build and had many delays. Residents on both sides of the bridge eagerly awaited its completion to make travel easier. In Spring 1883 it was finally complete. Writers and Residents of the area speculated, "How strong was the Brooklyn Bridge?" Never missing an opportunity to promote his circus troupe, P. T. Barnum offered to test the bridge with his 21 elephants. So on an early May morning, the people of the New York area watch with surprise and delight as P.T. and his large crew sauntered across the new construction. Geared toward 2nd and 3rd grade students, but can be used with text dependent questions for older students to think critically about what they read. Written by April Jones Prince. 

Vocabulary:

Gawking: Staring

Pillars: tall structure or column to hold up a building or bridge

Sauntered: walked slowly 

Onward: moving in a forward motion

Savored: enjoyed a moment 

Questions:

What was the story mainly about? 

Who was PT Barnum? Why was he important?

Why did they name it the Brooklyn Bridge? 

How many year did it take to build the bridge?

What does the word sweetheart mean? 

Why were New York and Brooklyn excited about the bridge? 

What was the worry about the new bridge? 

Why did PT Barnum want to lead his Elephants across? 

Do you think PT Barnum was brave? Why or Why not? 

Was his idea successful? How do you know? 

When the news came that the Elephants made it across, did this help ease people's minds about the safety of the bridge? Why or why not? 

Was this a good title for the story? Why or why not? 

What would you change to title to? 

Did you you like this story why or why not? 

Extension Activities: 

Lesson Plan 1

Social Studies Lesson

Read about the Author

Music Video 21 Elephants

Book of The Week: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Summary:

In 1974, A young tight rope walker Philippe Petit was impressed by the size of the World Trade Center. He was so taken with the idea of walking between the towers, that he felt it was something he had to do. This book is the account of how he planned the ultimate tight rope walk and what it was like to perform more than 1300 feet off the ground. This Caldecott winner encourages students to believe anything is possible.

Vocabulary:

Cable- A thick rope or wire

Unicycle- A cycle with only one wheel

Juggle- Act of throwing and catching 3 or more objects in a continuous motion

Steeples-Tall tower usually a feature of a church building

Secretly- Without others knowing

Construction-Building of Something

Arrow- pointed or shafted object that is typically shot from a bow.

Frantically-To do something with passion or fear

Dawn-Appearance of first light

Story Questions:

Where did Philippe grow up? 

Where were the twin towers located?

What kind of performances did the Philippe like?

How tall were the towers? 

Would you want to walk on a tight rope or juggle? Why? 

Which of these two was Philippe’s favorite.? 

When Philippe performed at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, how did people react? 

Can Philippe tell anyone of his plan to walk between the towers? Why or Why not?

How many people helped Philippe get the cable between the towers? 

When did they shoot the arrows? Why? 

Why do you think Philippe used a balancing stick? 

Who noticed Philippe on the tower? 

Why did the police say, “You are under arrest?”

Do you think it should be illegal to walk between those towers? Why or Why not? 

How does the story end? 

Video Links and Lesson Ideas:

1974 News Broadcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAVj2IVC9ko

2015 Movie Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBicCZG4vg0

Story on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEDT8mCOfM4

Lesson Plans:

http://www.liveoakmedia.com/client/guides/94258.pdf

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/man-who-walked-between-towers-lesson-plan

Book of The Week: Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Tomorrow March 2nd is the birthday of Dr. Suess. In many classrooms and speech/language rooms across the country they will partake in reading and thinking about this brilliant writer. Our room will be no different. As we are using several Suess books it was very hard to just pick one for the book of the week post. I picked "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

Summary: 

The book opens with, "Today is your day!" with the unnamed boy journeying on to the places he will go. As the book unfolds the character encounters high times and challenges such as the "Waiting Place" or the "Lonely Game." The book concludes with an open ended hope, "Go get your mountain, So get on your way." Wonderful for all ages to inspire and wonder about the places you can go.

Vocabulary: 

Brainy- Another word for smart

Famous- a person in the public or someone who is well-known for a talent

Flier- Someone who flies

Dexterous-Skilled with your hands

Toward- In the direction of

Slump- a fall or downturn

Guarantee- A promise or assurance that something is true or will happen

Frequently- Another word to describe often

Lurch- Abrupt turn or movement

Questions

1.) Where do you think the boy will go in wide open air?

2.) If you are a high-flier who soars to high heights? What would you do? Where would you live? What would that look like?

3.) His balloon gets caught in a tree. How does he feel? When was a time you felt defeated?

4.) In the text it states this phrase,  “unslumping yourself.” What do you do when you are in a slump to feel better?

5.) The waiting place is a place you have to wait. How do you feel when you have to wait? What do you do when you get stuck on a problem or situation? Why?

6.) One line says, “You’ll be ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you are that kind of guy.” What kind of guy do you have to be to be ready? What qualities do you have to have?

7.) What is one goal or place you would like to get to? Why?

8.) On his Journey the boy runs into things that hold him back, like being lonely and other obstacles. What are the obstacles that are holding you back from your goal?

9.) Would you want to move a mountain? What could this phrase also mean?

10.) At the end of the story the text reads, "Your mountain is waiting?" What is your mountain? Where do you you see yourself going by the end of this school year? What about in 5 years?

Extension Activities: 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Welcome-to-School-Postcards-K-6th-Grade-FREEBIE-135455

http://www.brighthubeducation.com/middle-school-english-lessons/67035-a-fun-oh-the-places-you-will-go-last-day-of-school-lesson/

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hot-Air-Balloon-Craftivity-FREEEEBIE-1211542

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Oh-the-Places-Youll-Go-Character-Building-488312

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