Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s novel, Shiloh, is a captivating and impactful novel that engages readers and fosters a love for reading. Shiloh offers a rich tapestry of themes, character development, and ethical dilemmas that make it a fantastic choice for the classroom. Shiloh is a must-read and can benefit both their students’ academic growth and moral development.
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The Benefits of Using Shiloh in Your Classroom:
Contains Relatable Themes: Shiloh addresses timeless themes that resonate with young readers. The story revolves around the bond between a young boy named Marty and a mistreated dog named Shiloh. Themes of friendship, empathy, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right are woven into the narrative. These themes provide students with opportunities to explore their own values and ethics, making Shiloh an ideal text for fostering discussions about moral dilemmas.
Explores Character Development: Naylor’s novel offers well-crafted characters, each with their own flaws and virtues. Students can easily relate to Marty’s journey of self-discovery and his determination to protect Shiloh. The characters’ development throughout the story allows for in-depth character analysis, helping students understand how experiences can shape a person’s beliefs and actions.
Builds Vocabulary: Shiloh introduces students to a rich vocabulary that can expand their language skills. Naylor’s writing is both accessible and eloquent, making it a valuable resource for building students’ vocabulary and improving their reading comprehension. Teachers can incorporate vocabulary-building exercises and discussions related to the book’s language throughout the reading process.
Encourages Ethical Discussions: The moral dilemmas presented in Shiloh offer an excellent opportunity for ethical discussions in the classroom. Students can engage in thoughtful debates about topics such as animal rights, honesty, and the consequences of one’s actions. These discussions encourage critical thinking and help students develop their own moral compass.
Enhances Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Reading Shiloh can enhance students’ empathy and emotional intelligence. They will empathize with Shiloh’s plight and Marty’s internal struggle to do what’s right. This emotional connection to the characters promotes empathy and a deeper understanding of the emotions and perspectives of others, a crucial skill for building positive relationships.
Provides Real-World Relevance: Shiloh also offers a bridge to real-world issues. Students can explore topics like animal welfare, kindness, and the power of advocacy, connecting the fictional story to current events and global concerns. This real-world relevance can make literature more meaningful and engaging for students.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Shiloh is more than just a heartwarming tale of a boy and his dog, it’s a powerful tool to inspire young minds. By bringing this novel into the classroom, you can explore relatable themes, promote character development, enhance vocabulary, and engage students in ethical discussions. Shiloh also nurtures empathy, emotional intelligence, and real-world relevance while providing valuable assessment opportunities. Introduce your students to Marty and Shiloh’s world—a journey that will leave a lasting impact on their academic and moral growth.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Shiloh for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format, for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
In the world of literature, certain books possess a unique power to inspire, enlighten, and transform the lives of readers. R.J. Palacio’s novel, Wonder, is one such literary gem that has captured the hearts of both young and old since its publication. Of all the curriculum materials I create, novel studies are my favorite, but creating my Wonder Novel Study has been my all-time favorite! The opportunities for building a community and empathy among students are so rich in this novel.
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Auggie’s struggles are written on his face. You go into the book knowing you are reading about a kid facing challenges. The surprising thing with this book is you realize that the other “normal” characters who seem to have it all on the outside, are beautiful, rich, smart, etc, all are struggling as well. This book really takes to heart the quote, “Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
As teachers, we constantly seek innovative ways to engage our students and instill important life lessons. Using Wonder in the classroom can create an unforgettable and enriching learning experience for both educators and students.
Benefits of Using Wonder in Your Classroom:
Builds Empathy and Understanding: At the core of Wonderlies the story of Auggie Pullman, a young boy with facial differences who navigates his way through the challenges of attending a mainstream school for the first time. By following Auggie’s journey, students are immersed in a world that encourages empathy and understanding toward those who may appear different. The novel ignites meaningful discussions about acceptance, kindness, and the importance of looking beyond external appearances to see the true essence of a person. These discussions promote a compassionate and inclusive classroom environment, fostering a stronger sense of community among students.
Explore Character Development: Wonder introduces readers to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique perspective and background. As students explore the lives of Auggie, Via, Jack Will, and others, they witness profound character development and growth throughout the story. These well-rounded and relatable characters offer valuable life lessons, encouraging students to reflect on their own actions, emotions, and personal growth. By analyzing the characters’ choices and transformations, students can gain insights into their own values and aspirations.
Addresses Bullying and Social Issues: Bullying is an unfortunate reality that many students face, making it a critical topic to address in the classroom. Wonder sensitively portrays the impact of bullying, not just on the victim but also on those who perpetrate it. Teachers can use this novel as a springboard for discussing bullying, its consequences, and strategies to create a bully-free environment. By fostering open conversations, educators can empower students to stand up against bullying and promote a culture of respect and empathy.
Encourages Literary Exploration: R.J. Palacio’s writing style in Wonder is accessible and engaging, making it an ideal choice for students of varying reading levels. Teachers can use the novel to explore literary devices, such as point of view, character development, and symbolism, further enhancing students’ analytical skills. Additionally, Wonder provides an excellent opportunity for cross-curricular connections, integrating English language arts with art, social studies, and even science, enabling a more holistic learning experience.
Promotes Critical Thinking: The narrative structure of Wonder is divided into multiple perspectives, allowing readers to witness the same events from different viewpoints. This unique storytelling technique encourages critical thinking as students analyze the characters’ thoughts, motives, and actions. By examining the various perspectives, students develop a more nuanced understanding of complex situations and are motivated to think critically about the world around them.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a captivating novel that not only captivates the hearts of readers but also serves as a powerful educational tool in the classroom. Through its portrayal of empathy, character development, social issues, and literary exploration, this novel offers numerous benefits for teachers and students alike. By using Wonder as part of the curriculum, educators can foster a positive and empathetic classroom environment while nurturing the intellectual and emotional growth of their students.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Wonder for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
I loved how R.J. Palacio subtly adds the character of Daisy, the dog, as the only soul who does not “see” Auggie’s facial abnormalities. Through Daisy’s interactions, Ms. Palacio shows the unconditional love that animals provide. This prompted me to add a non-fiction activity to the unit involving therapy dogs and animal-assisted therapy. This activity is included in the complete novel study, but you can also download it for free here:
As you can tell, I loved this book. It is one of the best books I have read, and I feel it would serve well in any 4-6th-grade classroom. However, I do have one minor complaint. In the book, Auggie also deals with hearing loss, and one chapter describes his experience in getting fitted for a hearing aid for the first time. I live with hearing loss and have worn hearing aids for several years, and now have a cochlear implant in one ear. In some ways, Ms. Palacio was spot on describing Auggie’s feelings about wearing hearing aids around his friends and how he may be perceived. However, Ms. Palacio was quite a ways off the mark when she described the experience of getting hearing aids and how they work. A common misperception is that wearing hearing aids is like wearing glasses, which is how Ms.Palacio describes the experience. In reality, it is nothing like that. After reading this chapter, I felt so strongly about the misinformation that I had to add my own supplement to the unit explaining what it is REALLY like to wear hearing aids and have hearing loss in our modern world. I hope this supplement is helpful to your students. This resource is included in the Wonder Novel Study and is also offered as a stand-alone item here:
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
In today’s diverse and ever-changing world, fostering empathy, promoting inclusivity, and celebrating differences are more important than ever. Literature is a powerful tool that can help achieve these goals, and one book that stands out in this regard is El Deafo by Cece Bell. This graphic novel has the potential to be a valuable addition to any classroom curriculum, offering a unique perspective on disability, friendship, and acceptance.
A while back, I partook in a discussion on Facebook about the factuality of the novel Wonder. I love the book Wonder and feel it has a solid place in the classroom, but how the author addresses hearing loss is concerning. I addressed this in my novel study by adding a non-fiction article to help portray the real side of hearing loss so that students reading the novel understand the mistakes made by the author.
While discussing my feelings on Facebook, another person asked if I had read the novel El Deafo by Cece Bell. She was curious about how real and factual it is to a person who walks in the shoes of hearing loss, such as me. She said her students overwhelmingly love the Newbery Honor-winning graphic novel. I immediately ordered the novel to read and am so happy I did!
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I have been living with hearing loss for over 25 years. It is a daily struggle to communicate with my family and the world. I have lost many things due to my hearing loss, including my teaching career. El Deafo is the autobiographical story of Cece Bell’s struggles with hearing loss told in a graphic novel format that is a perfect way to get the true feelings across. The book highlights how Cece embraces these struggles and turns them into a superpower! Even though Cece is in elementary school in the book, and I am well beyond that age, I found myself shaking my head in agreement and relating to Cece like I never have before in any other story I have read. It’s like so many of the things she was saying I have said or felt so many times!
The message that volume does not equal better hearing was strong in this book, and it is a message that the hearing world really fails to understand yet really needs to! Talking louder, talking slower, talking more pronounced DOES NOT HELP! It makes it much more difficult for those like Cece and myself who rely on lip-reading to understand. If the only message that you take away from this story is NOT to turn up the volume for those with hearing loss, the world will be a better place! That’s not the only message, as there were so many I could relate to, including isolation, feelings of shame, embarrassment, avoidance of situations, putting up with things and people only due to fear, and on and on. Cece embraces her differences and turns them into a superpower that draws people to her. I just loved everything about this book. You don’t have to have hearing loss to relate to and love this book, in fact, it is better for those with no hearing loss to read so they can better understand.
Benefits of Using El Deafo in Your Classroom:
Promotes Disability Awareness and Understanding: El Deafo is a heartfelt and engaging memoir that chronicles the author’s own experiences growing up with a hearing impairment. By introducing students to Cece Bell’s personal journey, teachers can help them gain a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with a disability. This can lead to more compassionate and empathetic students who are better equipped to interact with people of all abilities.
Encourages Empathy: One of the most powerful aspects of El Deafo is its ability to evoke empathy in readers. Cece’s struggles and triumphs are relatable to many, regardless of their own experiences. By exploring the challenges faced by the protagonist, students can develop a greater sense of empathy towards those who may have different life experiences, fostering a more inclusive and understanding classroom environment.
Celebrates Differences: In El Deafo, Cece Bell uses her superhero alter ego, “El Deafo,” to navigate the complexities of her hearing impairment. This unique perspective not only celebrates diversity but also highlights the importance of embracing one’s differences. By discussing the book in class, teachers can promote self-acceptance and encourage students to appreciate the qualities that make each individual unique.
Enhances Literacy Skills:El Deafo is a graphic novel, which makes it an excellent choice for promoting literacy skills, especially for reluctant readers. The combination of text and illustrations helps students engage with the story on multiple levels, improving their comprehension and critical thinking skills. Teachers can use the book to teach literary devices, character development, and narrative structure.
Fosters Classroom Discussions: Using El Deafo as a classroom resource can spark meaningful discussions about a wide range of topics, including friendship, communication, resilience, and bullying. These discussions can encourage students to express their thoughts and opinions, promoting a more open and inclusive learning environment.
Supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Social and emotional learning is a crucial aspect of education, and El Deafo can be a valuable tool for addressing SEL competencies. Through the story, students can explore themes such as self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills. Teachers can create activities and discussions that align with SEL goals, helping students develop essential life skills.
El Deafo is a powerful and impactful novel that offers a unique perspective on the experiences of the hearing-loss community. Its accessible format, relevant themes, and emotional connection make it an ideal choice for a novel study in the classroom.
El Deafo by Cece Bell is a powerful and engaging graphic novel that has the potential to enrich the classroom experience in numerous ways. By using this book as part of their curriculum, teachers can promote disability awareness, encourage empathy, celebrate differences, enhance literacy skills, foster meaningful discussions, and support social and emotional learning. Ultimately, El Deafo can help create a more inclusive, empathetic, and understanding classroom environment, preparing students to be compassionate and open-minded individuals in an increasingly diverse world.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Teachers are always looking for innovative ways to engage and inspire their students. One exceptional method is integrating contemporary novels into the curriculum. A prime example of such a novel is Ghost by Jason Reynolds. This captivating story holds immense potential for enriching classroom experiences while fostering essential skills in students.
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The Benefits of Using Ghost in Your Classroom:
Contains Relatable Themes: Ghost by Jason Reynolds touches upon relatable themes that resonate with young readers. Addressing topics like friendship, identity, and perseverance, the novel provides a lens through which students can examine their own lives and experiences. Teachers can leverage these themes to initiate discussions that encourage empathy, critical thinking, and self-reflection.
Showcases Diversity and Representation: Diversity in literature matters, and Ghost excels in portraying a diverse range of characters. This representation offers a unique opportunity for teachers to introduce students to different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. Through the characters’ journeys, students can develop a broader understanding of the world around them, fostering inclusivity and empathy.
Enhances Literacy Skills: Integrating Ghost into the curriculum can significantly enhance students’ literacy skills. The novel’s engaging narrative style and accessible language make it an ideal tool for teaching literary elements such as characterization, plot development, and figurative language. By analyzing Reynolds’ writing techniques, students can develop a deeper appreciation for storytelling and improve their own writing skills.
Can Spark Meaningful Discussions: The novel’s compelling narrative invites thought-provoking discussions about important topics such as family dynamics, socioeconomic challenges, and personal growth. Teachers can utilize these discussions to create a safe space for students to share their thoughts and opinions. This not only enhances their communication skills but also encourages them to consider different viewpoints.
Cultivates Critical Thinking:Ghost presents complex characters and situations that require critical thinking to fully understand. Encouraging students to analyze characters’ motivations, decisions, and conflicts fosters critical thinking skills essential for their academic and personal growth. These skills can translate into improved problem-solving abilities across various subjects.
Integrates with Other Subjects: The versatility of Ghost enables teachers to integrate the novel across multiple subjects. In history classes, discussions about the characters’ backgrounds can offer insights into different time periods and social contexts. In art classes, students can create visual representations of pivotal scenes. This interdisciplinary approach enhances students’ learning experience and highlights the interconnectedness of knowledge.
Inspiring a Love for Reading: One of the most significant benefits of incorporating Ghost into the classroom is its potential to ignite a passion for reading. The relatable story, combined with its fast-paced narrative, hooks reluctant readers and captivates even the most avid readers, alike. Once students experience the thrill of connecting with a story, they’re more likely to explore other works of literature, expanding their literary horizons.
Ghost by Jason Reynolds isn’t just a novel; it’s a powerful tool that can revolutionize classroom dynamics and enrich students’ educational journey. By addressing relatable themes, promoting diversity, enhancing literacy skills, sparking discussions, cultivating critical thinking, and facilitating interdisciplinary learning, this novel opens doors to a more engaging and holistic education. Incorporating Ghost into the curriculum can help educators foster a love for reading, a thirst for knowledge, and a lifelong passion for learning in their students.
I offer a novel study for Ghost that includes both a printable and a Google Drive format, for you to use in your classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Ghost
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
This a great quote that is often mistakingly attributed to Albert Einstein. He didn’t say this, but the quote is powerful, just the same.
This quote is the premise of the book Fish in a Treeby Lynda Mullaly Hunt. The main character is Ally, a sixth grader who hates school because she feels stupid and thinks she will never be successful. Ally has isolated herself and does not take any risks toward academic work or making friends. She feels everything is hopeless until a new teacher, Mr. Daniels, joins her class as a long-term substitute. Mr. Daniels recognizes Ally’s talents as an artist and is impressed by her “out of the box” problem-solving skills. He leads Ally to admit her fears and helps her to take risks that lead to a diagnosis of dyslexia. Mr. Daniels helps Ally build confidence and realize she’s not stupid, she just learns differently, which opens up the world academically and socially for Ally.
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Fish in a Tree is a very inspirational book for all students, not just those with dyslexia. It showcases through the many different characters that everyone has talent and value, but sometimes it takes a little more work to discover! Research shows that 80-90% of all students identified as learning disabled have some degree of dyslexia. It is hypothesized that about 20% of the population is afflicted with dyslexia to some degree.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is a compelling novel that holds the potential to transform the classroom experience for both teachers and students alike.
Explore the numerous benefits of incorporating Fish in a Tree into your classroom:
Promotes Empathy and Understanding: Fish in a Tree delves into the life of Ally Nickerson, a brilliant young girl who struggles with dyslexia, a learning disability that challenges her academic journey. The story beautifully captures Ally’s emotions, challenges, and triumphs, allowing students to connect with her on a personal level. By immersing themselves in Ally’s world, students gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of their peers with learning differences, fostering empathy and compassion in the classroom.
Cultivates a Growth Mindset: The novel’s central theme revolves around the concept of a growth mindset. Ally initially believes she is unintelligent and unworthy due to her difficulties with reading. As the story unfolds, she discovers her strengths and begins to embrace her learning differences as a part of who she is. By following Ally’s transformation, students can grasp the importance of perseverance, determination, and embracing challenges. This growth mindset can inspire students to overcome their own obstacles and cultivate a positive attitude toward learning.
Enhances Language and Literacy Skills: Fish in a Tree is a captivating literary work that captures students’ attention with its engaging narrative and relatable characters. Utilizing this novel in the classroom provides an excellent opportunity to enhance language and literacy skills. Teachers can encourage active reading by facilitating discussions, journaling, and group activities centered around the novel’s themes, vocabulary, and writing techniques. Such activities not only improve comprehension but also encourage critical thinking and communication skills.
Encourages Diversity and Inclusivity: Lynda Mullaly Hunt artfully weaves a diverse set of characters throughout the story, each with their unique backgrounds and experiences. By exposing students to characters from diverse racial, socioeconomic, and family backgrounds, the novel fosters inclusivity and appreciation for individual differences. This exposure promotes a richer understanding of the world and encourages students to embrace diversity, both in the classroom and beyond.
Facilitates Cross-Curricular Learning: Fish in a Tree opens doors to cross-curricular learning opportunities. Teachers can integrate the novel into various subjects, such as history, science, and social studies, to explore relevant themes and historical contexts. For instance, discussions about dyslexia can be linked to lessons about famous individuals with learning differences who have made significant contributions to society, emphasizing that struggles need not define one’s potential.
Incorporating Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt into the classroom setting enhances the educational experience for both teachers and students. Its powerful themes of empathy, growth mindset, and inclusivity can inspire students to develop a deeper appreciation for their peers and themselves. Through the exploration of language and literacy skills and the promotion of cross-curricular learning, this novel serves as an invaluable tool for educators to create a dynamic and enriching learning environment. Embrace the transformative power of literature and make a lasting impact on our students’ lives using Fish in a Tree.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Fish in a Tree for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Fish in a Tree
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
If you’re looking for a book that is for a little bit younger child dealing with Dyslexia I recommend trying out the Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. The first book in the series, Niagara Falls, or Does It? is great for third graders who are struggling with learning challenges to help them know they are not alone and they are full of talent!
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
