Last week's focus was Language Arts mentor texts, but I'm not focusing on Reading or Writing. One of my goals this year was to incorporate more mentor texts into my Science, Math, and Social Studies curriculum.
I've always felt that Social Studies requires quite a bit of reading comprehension strategies, and it just so happens that we're focusing on the skill of compare and contrast at the moment. So, what better book to review our Founding Fathers AND apply comparing and contrasting than...
John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith. This book lends itself well to compare the characters by making a chart and listing each Founding Father's character traits. A triple-Venn Diagram also works well.
We also compare and contrast the settings for each character, such as when and where they were born and where they lived when they were adults.
This book also helps to review the American Revolution and Documents of Freedom that were written before, during, and after the war.
How about you? Do you have any great books that support reading comprehension AND bridge the gap between core curriculum subjects?
2 comments:
I found your blog from Oh Boy 4th Grade. I love using that book with my 4th graders when we are learning about the colonies. I also like to read Now and Ben. It's a great nonfiction book to use.
I'm your newest follower.
Hunter's Tales from Teaching
I love Now and Ben! I usually use it for our electricity unit to discuss the contributors. Thanks for joining. I hope I can share things with you that you can use :)
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