Format Models
Sample #1 Van Draanen, Wendelin – Secret Identity (Shredderman 1) Illus. by Brian Biggs, c2004, 138 p. Description – Realistic Fiction (First Person), Intermediate Grade Chapter Book Review – What a great book! Nolan (aka Nerd) Byrd adopts a secret identity in order to seek revenge on the 5th grade class bully…Alvin (aka Bubba) Bixby. The story is a little far fetched, but believable and the outcome will make you want to stand up and cheer for Nolan and his terrific teacher. The pen and ink illustrations are a plus. Curriculum Connections – Great read-aloud for intermediate grades. Character Education is a natural connection as teasing and bullying are the main themes of the book. Could also serve as a springboard to writing a newspaper article or other creative writing assignment. Standards – Personal Health and Fitness – HPF1.IFC1C, HPF2.I.HE1B Awards – 2005 Maine Student Book Award Grade level – The story takes place in a fifth grade classroom, but 3rd and 4th graders would also enjoy this book. Reviewed by – Beth Disque, Birchwood Elementary School, Media Specialist, 2/06 Sample #2 Swinburne, Stephen R. – Turtle Tide: The Ways of Sea Turtles Description – Picture Book/Nonfiction Review – A mother sea turtle swims to shore to lays her eggs. Nature then takes its course as the eggs incubate and hatch. Filled with detail about the life cycle of the turtles, readers will understand why people decide to rescue these creatures. Hiscock’s vivid watercolors depict the perils these creatures encounter. Appended is a 2 page spread giving more details about sea turtles and their endangered status. Curriculum Connections – Read-aloud for primary grades studying endangered animals; Research book for older students studying endangered animal or sea creature projects; A read-aloud text for teaching note taking techniques and information organization as a whole class demonstration lesson; model for writing about a process and/or cycle; model for showing how illustration represents text. NYS Standards – Science Performance Indicators MST4.E.LE1B, 2, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 5A, 5B Grade Level – Reading level grade 3 but useful for a variety of levels Reviewed by – Cheryl Cufari, Glencliff Elementary School, Media Specialist 2/06 |