The Américas Award by Katelyn Sanders https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq Multicultural Text Set en-us 2017-06-06 15:19:32 UTC 2025-10-03 11:24:58 UTC hello@padlet.com Mediopollito/ Half-Chicken katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/175633184
  • Author: Alma Flor Ada
  • Illustrator: Kim Howard
  • Publication date: 1995 
  • Genre: Narration, Fiction
  • Approximate interest level: 3rd-5th
  • Approximate text level: Lexile: 680, AR Book Level: 3.3
  • Teaser: Imagine being born different than everyone else? How would you handle it? Equipped with the most natural friends someone could have, this chicken is not going to let anyone stop him from traveling to Mexico City to find his calling in life! Everyone from the wind to the water jumps in to lend a helping hand.
  • Teaching idea: Have the students each write the word "Different" in the middle of a piece of paper with a pencil. Then, have them write things around the word that makes them different than their classmates. This should be a silent time of thinking and reflection. After about 5-7 minutes have the students write the word "unique" over the word "different" with a marker. Then explain that everything on their paper represents who they are and that like the half chicken, everyone is unique and that is okay.     
  • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources
    ]]>     2017-06-07 20:58:19 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/175633184     The Golden Flower A Taino Myth From Puerto Rico katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/176134505
  • Author: Nina Jaffe 
  • Illustrator: Enrique O. Sanchez
  • Publication Date: 1996
  • Genre: Narration, Folklore
  • Approximate interest level: 1st/ 2nd Grade
  • Approximate text level: AR Book Level: 3.7
  • Teaser: Have you ever wondered how islands get to where they are today? Did they just appear one day, rise from the ocean or by some other magical existence? Could this be how North America came into existence? This is the tale of how "The Golden Flower" has had a huge part in the Puerto Rican island Boriquen, being born.   
  • Teaching idea: Before reading "The Golden Flower", have all the students create their ideal island on a piece of paper. Tell them to think about what essentials from the earth they will need to survive. (fruits, vegetables etc.) Allow about 12 minutes for students to create their islands. Then read "The Magic Flower". After reading discuss as a class why the Taino people were so happy when the water came out of the pumpkin. What essentials does the water help provide? Have students add any newly discovered essentials to their island after the discussion is over.  
  • Other Teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://elboricua.com/BKTainos_LessonPlan.html
    ]]>     2017-06-12 17:17:23 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/176134505     Parrots Over Puerto Rico* katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/176191343
  • Author(s): Susan L. Roth & Cindy Trumbore
  • Illustrator: Susan L Roth
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Genre: Narration, Nonfiction, History
  • Approximate interest level: Kindergarten- 5th Grade
  • Approximate text level:  Lexile: 960, AR Book Level: 5.7 
  • Teaser: Have you ever thought about what happens when acts of nature occur, or people clear trees for wood, homes, and agriculture? Every year this exact same situation occurs for thousands of animals and it can literally wipe them out. This is exactly what happened to the parrots of Puerto Rico, and now humans are trying to save them before they are gone forever. Will they be saved or have humans wiped them from the earth forever?  
  • Teaching idea: While learning about animals, read this book and then have students partake in an interactive simulation that explains what caused the parrots to live or die. Each student will color and design a paper parrot. The student will then become that parrot. In each round which represents time, the teacher will hold up a cause and as a result the teacher will choose a color or design of parrots in the class that have died or been born. For example, a (hurricane) has occurred which has (wiped away 4 trees) in the process all of the parrots with (red beaks) have died. Use this template to help you. (I suggest limiting the colors that students can use to make it easier.) Once the simulation is over have the students reflect in groups on how this occurs with real animals. Have them make connections to real world animals and share as they wish with the class. 
  • Other Teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.https://educators.brainpop.com/bp-jr-topic/extinct-and-endangered-species/
    ]]>     2017-06-13 04:40:26 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/176191343     Eight Days A Story of Haiti katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/176627592
  • Author: Edwidge Danticate
  • Illustrator: Alix Delinois
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Genre: Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
  • Approximate interest level: Lower Grades, 1st-3rd 
  • Approximate text level: Lexile: 820-Adult Directed Text, 2nd-5th grade
  • Teaser: Imagine being stuck under your house after an earthquake; Not for hours, or a day, but eight days. How would you survive without food or water? What would you do to keep yourself alive. In this story a young boy uses the power of imagination to help him. 
  • Teaching idea: During a natural disaster or weather unit discuss various disasters that have occurred around the world. Then specifically share information on the earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010. Talk about the Richter Scale, number of deaths, and watch news reports for the time etc.. Then read this book, and have the children answer this writing prompt "If I were stuck under my house for eight days I would..." Encourage students to use prewriting to help them get their ideas down before they begin. Once the children are done have them discuss with a partner what they were thinking, and feeling while listening to the book and answering the prompt. Were their feelings and thoughts similar or different? 
  • Other Teaching ideas on the web: 
    • 1.https://www.teachervision.com/subjects/science/earthquake-haiti-january-2010
    2.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/
    ]]>     2017-06-16 05:17:55 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/176627592     The Faithful Friend katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177164999
  •  Author: Robert D. San Souci
  • Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
  • Publication Date: 1995
  • Genre: Narration, Folklore
  • Approximate interest level: 4th- 6th grade
  • Approximate text level: Lexile: 850, AR Book Level: 5.2
  • Teaser: Think of your best friend. You would surely save them from danger if you knew it was coming right? Imagine traveling with your best friend to meet the love of his life and then BAM you find out someone is trying to hurt them! Would you risk your life to save them? How far will Hippolyte go to save his friend? Will he decide to make the ultimate sacrifice?
  • Teaching Idea: Have students fill out and complete  the knowledge of words chart and activity from Teaching The Dimensions of Literacy on page 53. Explain to students that sometimes you may understand a word but you might not be able to explain what it means. Have students fill out the chart using words that are complex or may be somewhat unfamiliar to them. Some examples of words to have students put into the boxes include: sugar plantation, tutor, lithe, sharp-witted, fair skin, cautioned, coast, vivid, beggar, servants, and quivering. Another idea is to have  students fill out this chart using the words from within the book/ glossary that are in French. This will further open up students understanding of the narrative and be able to connect with other cultures. Then have students rate their understanding of the words. Last put students into groups and have them teach each other what the words mean. Students should use the book and vivid pictures as context clues to help them.  
  • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://classroom.synonym.com/middle-group-counseling-activities-friendships-5811089.html
    ]]>     2017-06-22 04:39:53 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177164999     Poems- The Tree Is Older Than You Are: A Bilingual Gathering of Poems and Stories katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177166038
  • Author: Various, Texts Selected By- Naomi Shihab Nye 
  •  Illustrator: Various
  •  Publication Date: 1995
  •  Genre: Poetry, Narratives, Short Stories
  •  Approximate interest level: 4th-12th 
  •  Approximate grade level: N/A
  •  Teaser: The best of the best poets and short story writers have come together to put their work together for all to enjoy. Through their imaginative, and vivid use of words and authentic paintings their work comes alive right in the palm of your hands.  
  •  Teaching Idea: Preselect 10-15 poems from the collection. Have students choose a poem that they enjoyed so much that they can imagine it. Then, have the students create a drawing of what they imagined when they read the poem. Encourage students to use as much color as they can, and to create what was in their head not just the descriptions on paper. Last, pair up students who had the same poems and allow a few minutes for student to compare and contrast their creations and visions. 
  •  Other Ideas 1.http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=1072  http://www.mrbassonline.com/cyberenglish/formulapoems.htm
    • ]]>     2017-06-22 04:55:05 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177166038     Painting- The Flower Seller katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177170282
  • Artist: Diego Rivera
  • Created: 1941
  • Teaser: ATTENTION ATTENTION!! Get Your Flowers Here! We have all heard this phrase before, probably not pertaining to flowers, but instead to raffle tickets, popcorn, or hot dogs at some kind of sports game or circus. Diego Rivera has really stepped it up a notch with this one! Wait until you see this painting, you will surely be amazed by how realistic it is. 
  • Teaching Idea: Have students complete a think, pair, share activity with this piece of work. First, have students think to themselves what they believe the piece of art represents. The students should then find a partner and create a short (no more than one page) story about what they believe is happening in the painting. Encourage students be as realistic as possible and include: who, what, where, when, and why to their stories. Then have students get into groups of 6 and share their story outlook.
    • ]]>     2017-06-22 06:21:31 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177170282     Icy Watermelon katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177331557
  • Author: Mary Sue Galindo
  • Illustrator: Pauline Rodriguez Howard
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Genre: Children's Picture Book 
  • Approximate interest level: Preschool-2nd grade 
  • Approximate text level: Book Level: 2.9
  • Teaser: What fruit is big, round, and green on the outside but red on the inside? That's right watermelon! This is the story of how a dog and a watermelon made two people fall in love and share their joy of watermelon with everyone they know. 
  • Teaching Idea: Using the character development teaching idea from out textbook I would have the students analyze the grandfather. Since I want to work with young students this activity would have to be modified and therefore only use one book. I would read this book to the class and then ask them what they liked or did not like about it. Then I would reread the book to them and tell them to pay close attention to the grandfather to find out who he is and all about him. After we were done each student would get a turn answering one of the questions of their choice.   
  • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/action-character-exploring-character-175.html
    ]]>     2017-06-24 03:29:55 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177331557     The Gullywasher katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177481275
  •  Author: Joyce Rossi
  • Illustrator: Joyce Rossi
  • Publication Date: 1995
  • Genre: Folklore
  • Approximate interest level: Preschool- 3rd grade
  • Approximate text level: Book Level: 3rd grade
  • Teaser: It's spring and you know what that means- LOTS OF STORMS. This is the story of one mans aging all because of a gullywasher or storm that had happened long ago. But how is this possible you may think. Oh but it is, read on to find out how. 
  • Teaching idea: Use the sociocultural teaching idea from our textbook, called problem posing. To begin have students read this book in small groups. Tell students to make connections while reading and to think about what they like and don't like, what the authors purpose is, and what they would change if they were the author. Come back together and tell students that they are going to take a second look at the book and fill out the grid to the best of their ability regarding different point of views. Encourage students to use the different views of the grandfather and granddaughter. Go around and assist students as they go through this activity and support them in their thoughts.
  • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://www.americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/folklore_lesson_plans_teacher.html
    2.http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/mexican-folklore/ 
    ]]>     2017-06-26 20:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177481275     Separate Is Never Equal katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177843579 Author: Duncan Tonatium
    Illustrator:     Duncan Tonatium
    Publication Date:     2015
    Genre:     Nonfiction, Children's Picture Book
    Approximate interest level:     2rd-5th grade
    Approximate text level:     Lexile 870- Adult Directed Text, AR Book Level:5.1
    Teaser: Have you ever felt as through you were not as good or smart as someone else? How did you feel? Was it true? This book tells the story of a time not to long ago when people were considered inferior to their neighbor just because of their skin color. One family in California stood up for what they believed in and changed all that in schools, but it was by no far easy.
    Teaching idea:     Read this book in the beginning of the school year to students and have each student write a paragraph using the sentence starter "I will always matter because..." Have students write about their accomplishments, talents and what makes them special or unique. Make sure they use their best handwriting and take their time. Also include the date at the top. Once students are done save the papers for the end of the year to show them where they started and how far they have come in just a year all because they did not give up. Before handing the papers back to them at the end of the year, be sure to write encouraging and unique  comments for each student.  (Adapt this length based on grade and ability level)
    Other teaching ideas on the web:
    1.    https://www.nps.gov/teachers/classrooms/fair-is-fair.htm
    2.    http://lessonplanspage.com/ssmartinlutherkingdayimpactofsegregationexperienceandvideo27-htm/
    ]]>     2017-06-30 22:44:17 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/177843579     Comic Strip-Uncommon Ground katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178072088 Creator: Steven Thomas
    • Publication Date: 2016
    • Teaser: You decided to head to the local skate park for a quick adventure when BAM you run into someone you know, but your not sure how! You think: "What to do, what to do." You muster up the courage to talk to him, when all of a sudden he.... Check out the comic strip to hear about Sam's struggle with a so called classmate; You are sure to be amazed!
    • Teaching idea: Have students create their own short comic strip using an awkward, or bad experience that they have had similar to the one in this comic. If they cannot think of anything they can make one up. Then have students share their comic in small groups. There is no need t tell others if it is true or made up so don't hold back. Encourage students to be as creative as possible and that it's okay if they are not an artist; it's more about the story line.  
    • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    1.https://uncommonground962.wordpress.com/about/
    ]]>     2017-07-05 02:48:07 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178072088     Video- Kids and Tolerance katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178073390
  • Publisher: Presspassinternatl
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Teaser: Every year thousands of children are forced to go to a new school. They have hopes and dreams, but they are often terrified at the same time. "Will everyone like me? Will I fit in? Will I make friends? Will I be okay?" This is he video of some students who did not have the best first day of school.
  • Teaching ideas: I would begin by asking "How many of you have ever moved to a new school? How many of you have had a new kid in your class? Imagine moving and going to a new school, in a new country where you don't know the language. I am going to play a video where some students treat other students not very well." After watching the video the students would be divided up into groups of three and they would use the internet to research school traditions in different countries. Together they would then create and act out scripts of similar situations as portrayed in the video. First a "bad" script would be created and acted out and then the correct or "good" script would be created and acted out. After students are done creating and activing out for the class, we would re-watch the video and discuss how they think those children felt and why it is important to always treat others with dignity.
  • Other Teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/Multi.html
    2.http://teachersinstitute.yale.edu/curriculum/units/1997/2/97.02.06.x.html 
    ]]>     2017-07-05 03:09:56 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178073390     Flyer- Calavera (Skull) Contest katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178075682
  • Publisher: N/A
  • Creation Date: 2013
  • Teaser: ATTENTION ATTENTION!! Everyone loves money, so why not get paid to do what you love? Many types of art accepted and it's simple to enter, but hurry because spots are limited! Best of all you get to celebrate one of the best holidays around!
  • Teaching ideas: Use this idea as a beginning activity to a unit on adjectives. In pairs have students look over the flyer, using 10 sticky notes have them write different descriptive words that come to mind- 1 on each. Next, have the students put the sticky notes on the board. Then, discuss some of the adjectives on the board, and what tricky ones mean. As a class discuss what students thought about the flyer. What did they like? What would they change? Finally give each pair of students 12 random sticky notes from the board and have them group the descriptive words in any way they see fitting. (Make sure to add enough of your own premade adjectives to have enough sticky notes.) Come back together as a class and ask how they grouped the adjectives? Choose a group who did so by endings to share their categories and put them on the board. Then have students add the adjectives in front of them to the adjectives with the corresponding ending on the board. Last discuss the flyer using the adjectives teaching students the common endings that adjectives have. 
  • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/parts-of-speech-adjective-art.shtml
    2.http://lessonplanspage.com/musicadjectives.htm/
    https://www.varsitytutors.com/englishteacher/adjectives
    ]]>     2017-07-05 04:07:13 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178075682     The Farolitos of Christmas katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178418532
  • Author: Rudolfo Anaya
  • Illustrator: Edward Gonzales
  • Publication Date: 1987 & 1995
  • Genre: Fiction, Christmas Stories
  • Approximant interest level: Preschool- 3rd grade
  • Approximate text level: Lexile:410, Book Level:3.4
  • Teaser: Have you ever imagined how people in other countries celebrate holidays or if they even have the same holidays? This is the story of a little girls Christmas. Although she celebrates it different than most, there are many    similarities of her Christmas to Christmas here in America. Dive in to find out if Santa visits them, what they eat, and what their traditions consist of. You may be surprised how similar or different her Christmas is from yours. 
  • Teaching idea: Have students read this book in pairs (if possible pair student by having one Spanish speaker with one non-Spanish speaker to that they can discuss the words in Spanish. If not use the glossary.)Then individually have each student create a Venn Diagram and on one side put "My life" and the other put "Reina's life" and in the middle put "same lives". Have students compare and contrast the differences and similarities between a child living in Mexico and themselves. Then have students share what they came up with in groups of 3 or 4.
  • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/99-1/lesson0018.shtml
    2.https://www.pinterest.com/explore/mexico-crafts/?lp=true
    ]]>     2017-07-10 19:55:44 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178418532     The Christmas Gift/ El regalo de Navidad katelyn0897 https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178424481
  • Author: Francisco Jimenez 
  • Illustrator: Claire B. Cotts
  • Publication Date: 2000
  • Genre: Realistic Fiction 
  • Approximate interest level: Preschool- 3rd grade
  • Approximate text level: Lexile: 720 adult-directed text
  • Teaser: Moving to a new country without lots of money and a good job can be hard. But this family will not let anything ruin their Navidad. It's based on a true story so read on to learn how a family living in a tent cherishes Christmas through the eyes of a young boy. 
  • Teaching idea: To the  class I would say "Think about a time when you REALLY wanted something for your birthday, Christmas, or even something just at the store, but you were not able to have it. On the piece of paper in front of you quickly write down any information you remember. These ideas could include what the item was, when this event took place, how you felt, why you didn't get it, who was around you, why you wanted it so bad, and anything else you remember. Now I want everyone to go back to their desks and write your own short story like the one in this book about the little boy not getting his red ball. Feel free to add in other information to make it more interesting, but remember it must be based on a true story.
  • Other teaching ideas on the web:
    • 1.https://www.lessonplanet.com/search?keywords=spanish+christmas+projects
    ]]>     2017-07-10 22:06:10 UTC https://padlet.com/katelyn0897/wimmkwwbi4mq/wish/178424481