Realistic Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Thunder Cake

Realistic Fiction

Thunder Cake, tells the story of a young girl who is scared of a thunder storm. Grandma helps her overcome her fears by telling her to count between the lighting and the clap of thunder so they can count the miles away the storm is so they can create thunder cake. They gather all the ingredients they need to bake their cake. Her grandmother tells her how brave she is and that she should not be scared of thunder because she collected all of the ingredients

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Lesson Plans: Talk about storms (weather that causes them) and explain the thunder cake recipe and use this to help teach about fractions.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvTtZTYw_lw

Author Information: http://www.patriciapolacco.com/  @PatriciaPolacco

Alexander, and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Realistic Fiction

As you read this book students will love to hear about all the bad things that happen to Alexander. Alexander tells us all about his bad day and all the horrible events happen to him. This book is a funny reminder that even though things we do not like, happen, they are not awful. It is a good reminder that the small things are not that big of a deal.

Lesson Plan: Talk about the adjectives used in this story to describe Alexander’s day. Have students write about their day using many adjectives. Then have students write about their worst day.

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTesxhlqr1k

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Realistic Fiction

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, tells the story of Peter and his no good brother, Fudge. Fudge at just two years old is the reason for all of Peter’s problems. Peter cannot stand his little brother because he has horrible behavior but never is punished. Fudge swallows Dribble, Peter’s pet turtle, and is rushed to the hospital to have the turtle removed. The turtle sadly dies and except for Peter, nobody cares, they are just happy that Fudge is okay. This hilarious story is always a favorite for many students and it was one of mine.

Lesson Plan: Have children discuss the elements of the story: Characters, Setting, Plot, and figurative language used throughout the novel.

Author Information: http://www.judyblume.com/  @judyblume

The Dot

Realistic Fiction

The Dot, tells the story of Vashti who believes she cannot draw but when encouraged by her art teacher to make one mark she draws a dot. He teacher has her sign it and then the next week in art class she sees her work hanging on the wall. Inspired by this she continues to draw dots in a variety of colors and sizes. Her art is displayed at the art show where a young boy wants to be like her. He claims he can not draw and shows Vashti by drawing a curvy line. Vashti asks him to sign it. This is such a positive story that really shows what an impact you can have on someone if you just believe in them.

Lesson Ideas: Have students create their own dot on a piece of paper then give students a ruler to measure their dot (diameter, radius, area, and circumference).

Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swn-aIwgFVo

Author Information:http://www.peterhreynolds.com/dot/  @peterhreynolds