Shirota Week 6 Assignment: 4th grade Theme and Summary Reading Integrated Unit by Kennedy Shirota

The Tortoise and the Hare

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 21:38:07 UTC

This story will be used for the first lesson in my theme and summary focused reading unit. I will have the physical copy, audio version, and printable copies of the story for students to use. This story will allow students to understand how to find the theme with a story that is relevant to all cultures.

Stone Soup

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 21:41:17 UTC

Stone Soup could be used for my second lesson in the unit. This story is good for students to practice the skills we are focusing on, and allows for us to compare themes across different cultures.

Malala's Magic Pencil

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 21:47:47 UTC

This book could be used as a read aloud throughout this unit to spark discussions amongst students before diving into our lessons. This book has a theme that all students will be able to relate to.

The Name Jar

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 21:55:08 UTC

The Name Jar is a book I read at the start of every school year. This is a book I plan to revisit during this unit to extend our discussions about the theme of this story, and seeing how the students can apply the message using what they have learned throughout the unit.

Lunch from Home

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 22:01:13 UTC

This book could be used for the third lesson in the unit. This story is one that I believe all of my students can relate to, or can be used as a window if students cannot relate to it themselves. This will create an opportunity to have powerful discussions as well.

You Are a Little Seed

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 22:12:08 UTC

This book will benefit my unit and the cultures in our classroom because it is accessible to all students. This could be used to practice finding the theme of a poem as it is written in a lyrical style, and will allow for great discussions where students can make personal connections to the theme.

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 22:25:08 UTC

This book will spark engagement with my students as many of them will be able to connect to this story. This could be useful in my unit because it is familiar for students, most can make personal connections to China, and gives us the opportunity to compare the story we know to a different version of it.

Cora Cooks Pancit

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 22:29:44 UTC

This book could be used for my unit because it allows us to continue practicing the skills we have been working on. It also creates an opportunity for students to share the family traditions they have in their culture, and allows them to become engaged and motivated in what they are learning.

Wabi Sabi

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 22:40:02 UTC

This book could be used for my unit to spark engagement and connection. Last year I had many Japanese students in my class so this could be a mirror for those students, and a window for others. This book also connects to The Name Jar and can also serve as a strong supplemental story for this unit.

Sumi's First Day of School Ever

kneubaue — 2025-07-28 22:46:58 UTC

This book could be used for my unit because not only does it cover the concepts we are focusing on, it serves as a mirror for my English learners and a window for the rest of my students. This book could be very impactful for all of my students and allow for them to have a deep understanding of the different themes we might come across in the books we read.