Children’s Literature Legacy Award aka Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
Inspiration Book:
Ashley Bryan : words to my life's song by Bryan, Ashley - Atheneum Books for Young Readers, p2009, c2009--818--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.5 An illustrated biography in which African-American author Ashley Bryan describes his life.
Rationale: Ashley Bryan is one of the recipients of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award renamed Children’s Literature Legacy Award at the June 2018 Board meeting of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) that honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Award in 2009 and joins the other recipients listed below.
I recommend that this particular lesson be used with Grades 5-8. I use a similar lesson with authors from my state with fourth graders, and that’s why I don’t include fourth grade here. The lesson is an introduction to award winning authors as well as a lesson in location skills for a number of resources and bibliographic entry for a bibliography. Sometimes I select only one group of skills such as catalog and book bibliography entry--that’s true especially when I’m doing the project with younger students. Here, I’ve chosen to only create an Easy Bib page for a few sources (books, digital image, online video, website, encyclopedia article) and use the instructional material from EasyBib. Because a lesson that results only in a bibliography page is a dull result for the students, I also have them do some sort of creative presentation. In the past I have found that February--Wilder’s birthday month--is good timing, but I’ll need to rethink that in light of the award’s name change. I have also taught these lessons as a review of all skills taught during the year and provide a way for students to “show off” what they have learned. My school has a late spring Fine Arts Festival and their final project represents their library work.
I use Ashley Bryan as my model because he was the most recent Children’s Literature Legacy Award recipient when I developed this lesson and my school had plenty of resources. Obviously, you could choose another winner as your model, maybe one that your students dearly love.
Grades 5-8--There’s Something About These Authors
Preparation: Prepare a bibliographic note page that includes possible entries for biographies, and fiction and nonfiction the author has written, encyclopedias (both print and non-print), and online lessons and other resources about the authors.
Prepare a notetaking card or page outlining what you want students to learn about the author (birth date and place, education, why he/she became an author, style, research, problems getting published, first book, awards and how awards affected him/her, topics often written about, etc.) Make your list more challenging than the one you would use with a similar 4th grade project.
List of suggestions for presentation. Allow some leaway--oral, PowerPoint, video, digital, scrapbook page, or simply the production of a bibliographic page.
Access to computer lab for use of catalog and internet.
Gather at least one title to represent each author for the introduction and for distribution to the student who selects a particular author.
Review how www.easybib.com and www.teachingbooks.net work so you can navigate quickly and smoothly. You may need to register for each, but they are free.
2018 Jacqueline Woodson
2017 Nikki Grimes
2016 Jerry Pinkney
2015 Donald Crews
2013 Kathryn Paterson
2011 Tomie dePaola
2009 Ashley Bryan
2007 James Marshall
2005 Laurence Yep
2003 Eric Carle
2001 Milton Meltzer
1998 Russell Freedman
1995 Virginia Hamilton
1992 Marcia Brown
1989 Elizabeth George Speare
1986 Jean Fritz
1983 Maurice Sendak
1980 Theodor S. (Dr. Seuss) Geisel
1975 Beverly Cleary
1970 E. B. White
1965 Ruth Sawyer
1960 Clara Ingram Judson
1954 Laura Ingalls Wilder
Introduction: Who knows what the Caldecott Award is? How about the Newbery Award? (Many students will have some knowledge and may even be able name a Newbery or Caldecott winner.)
Who knows what the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award is? The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. The award was started in 1954, and Laura Ingalls Wilder was the first winner. (Show one of her books.) Since then over 20 other authors or illustrators have won. In the summer of 2018 the award was renamed Children’s Literature Legacy Award by the Association for Children’s Library Service.
Option: Why do you think an organization would rename one of the long standing awards? (Discuss, then read the announcement from ACLS http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/06/ala-alsc-respond-wilder-medal-name-change
And discuss again. Do you agree or disagree? Does an organization need to change when society and culture changes?
The Legacy Award winners often are popular authors, and I was able to find a sample of each person’s work. (Introduce and quickly book talk the samples you have found. You may want to ask whether any students have read a book by that author.) Each of you will become an “expert” about one of the awardees. We’ll gather information, then it will be your turn to introduce your author or illustrator to the class in a creative way--poster, animation, PowerPoint, book talk, etc.
What would you do if you wanted to find out other information about one of them? How would you find whether we have more books? Right, we’d check our catalog. That’s what we’re going to do today. Then I’m going to show you how to make a bibliography or list of books we have by an author/illustrator. When working on a report or project, we also keep track of where we found our information. Tomorrow you’ll make a bibliography for your author’s books that we have in our library, and then, we’re going to use what I think is the best online resource about authors/illustrators and their books, and add what online source to our bibliography.
You all know how to use our catalog. Remember we usually look for last names of the author/illustrator. Try to find 3-5 books by your person by using the catalog. Find them on the shelves, too. (Spend time with new students, special needs students, and/or those indicating difficulty.)
(Allow time for searching the catalog and locating copies of the books. Decide how to store books until the next time the group meets--hopefully the next day.)
We’re going to use an easy bibliography maker website. It’s called EasyBib. I’ll quickly show you how it works. Tomorrow we’ll review and you will make a bibliography of the books you found. (Use Ashley Bryan as your model.) We’re also going to use what I think is the best online resource about authors/illustrators and their books, and we’ll add what we find at that source to our bibliography.
Day 2: It’s tell us where you got the stuff day. It’s EasyBib day today. Log on to your student account, then enter www.easybib.com . I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step for one of your books. Then make the entry for the other books you found yesterday. Follow the same steps that I’ll show you.
(Allow time for demonstrating the use of EasyBib and for students to make their bibliography. Print.)
My favorite reference tool for finding resources about authors and illustrators is Teaching Books.net. It has videos, interviews, book trailers, lesson plans, name pronunciation, book readings, etc. My author/illustrator is Ashley Bryan. I’ll use him as an example to show you all of the resources that you can choose from. (Model the search and how to locate the variety of resources.) Select one or two resources for the books you have on your bibliography.
Our next step is to add the online resources you found to that bibliography. (Demonstrate how to do that using Easybib.com and allow time for students to choose resources and add to their bibliography.)
Day 3: You’re the Expert about--
Today’s the day to prepare a way to tell the class about the author/illustrator you studied. What do you want to tell the class? What do you want to show the class? You’ve learned many ways to share information during the year. Which tool or method comfortable are you most with? Which seems to fit your author/illustrator the best? Be creative--poster, animation, PowerPoint, book talk, etc. You will only have one class period to prepare, so make some quick decisions.
Additional Days: Back in classroom, share your author and turn in the paper bibliography you prepared in the lab.
Books by Ashley Bryan:
Walk together children : Black American spirituals.Volume one — Alazar Press, 2012. Dewey: 782.25; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 1.7. An illustrated collection of African American spiritual songs
All night, all day : a child's first book of African-American spirituals — Aladdin Paperbacks, c1991 p2004--782.25; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.8 A selection of twenty spirituals, that distinctive music from the time of slavery. Includes piano accompaniment and guitar chords.
All Night, All Day Book Reading http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=3639
All things bright and beautiful by Alexander, Cecil Frances, 1818-1895 — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010--264; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.1 The words of the well-known hymn reflect God's creation of animals, flowers, mountains, sun, rivers, humans, and the ability to enjoy all that he made. http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
What a wonderful world by Weiss, George — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1995. Dewey: 782.42; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Ashley Bryan's artwork depicts Louis Armstrong and children of many backgrounds performing a puppet show that brings to life the song Armstrong made famous. Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
By trolley past Thimbledon Bridge by Bryan, Ashley — Alazar Press, 2015. Dewey: 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. Illustrations and poetry follow a child's dream as they travel on a trolley.
Who built the stable? : a nativity poem by Bryan, Ashley — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. A shepherd boy apprenticed to his carpenter father builds a stable and then welcomes two weary travelers from Nazareth. Interview at The Brown Bookshelf http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2013/02/20/day-20-ashley-bryan/
Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American poetry. by Bryan, Ashley — Aladdin Paperbacks, c1997 p2001--811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5 Presents poems or excerpts from poems written by African-American poets, featuring one selection for each letter of the alphabet. Tempera and Guache. Meet the author book reading and back story http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=3638
Let it shine : three favorite spirituals — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2007. Dewey: 782.25; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. Colorful illustrations and simple text introduce versions of three well-known spirituals along with a brief music score and a short history of slave songs before the Civil War. Teaching Guide from Simon & Schuster https://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/SimonSchuster/LetItShine_TG.pdf
Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
The sun is so quiet by Giovanni, Nikki — Square Fish/Henry Holt and Company, 2014. Dewey: 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. A collection of poems primarily about nature and the seasons but also concerned with chocolate and scary movies.
The night has ears : African proverbs — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1999. Dewey: 398.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.0. A collection of twenty-six proverbs, some serious and some humorous, from a variety of African tribes. Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
Can't scare me! by Bryan, Ashley — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1. A fearless little boy ignores Grandma's warning about nighttime monsters until he runs away and meets the two-headed giant's three-headed brother. Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
I am loved by Giovanni, Nikki — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018. Dewey: 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. A collection of children's poems by poet Nikki Giovanni celebrating the feeling of being loved.
Beat the story-drum, pum-pum by Bryan, Ashley — Aladdin Paperbacks, c1980 p1987--398.2; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.9 Five traditional Nigerian tales include "Hen and Frog," "Why Bush Cow and Elephant are Bad Friends," "The Husband Who Counted the Spoonfuls," "Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together," and "How Animals Got Their Tails." Tempera
Meet-the-Author Book Reading with Ashley Bryan Featured title: Beat the Story-Drum,Pum-Pum Created by TeachingBooks.net http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=3640
Beautiful blackbird by Bryan, Ashley — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003--398.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0 In a story of the Ila people, the colorful birds of Africa ask Blackbird, whom they think is the most beautiful of birds, to decorate them with some of his "blackening brew." Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
Sail away by Hughes, Langston — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015. Dewey: 811; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1. A collection of illustrated poems by Langston Hughes. Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
Ashley Bryan's puppets : making something from everything by Bryan, Ashley — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014--811; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.3 Introduces puppets created out of found objects by describing each with a poem.
Ashley Bryan's African tales, uh-huh by Bryan, Ashley — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1998--398.2; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.6 An illustrated collection of traditional African myths, legends, and folktales.
Freedom over me : eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life by Bryan, Ashley — A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2016. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.7. Using original slave auction and plantation estate documents, contrasts the monetary value of a slave with the priceless value of life experiences and dreams that a slave owner could never take away. Book Trailer http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/2016/11/freedom-over-me.html
Miss Marple’s Musings Teacher Guide http://joannamarple.com/2016/09/16/freedom-over-me-perfect-picture-book-friday/
Curriculum Guide from Simon & Schuster http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/2554146/9781481456906_cg_ashley%20bryan%20steam%20curriculum%20guide.pdf
Author Reading https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=12903
I'm going to sing : Black American spirituals.Volume two by Bryan, Ashley — Alazar Press, 2012--782.25; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.4 An illustrated collection of African American spiritual songs.
Ashley Bryan introduces and shares some of the backstory for creating I'm Going to Sing: Black American Spirituals.http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=3644
General Resources:
Artist to artist : 23 major illustrators talk to children about their art — Philomel Books, 2007--741.6; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.2 Includes fold-out pages.;Includes bibliographical references (p. 106-107).;A note from Eric Carle -- Mitsumasa Anno -- Quentin Blake -- Ashley Bryan -- Nancy Ekholm Burkert -- Eric Carle -- Tomie dePaola -- Jane Dyer -- Mordicai Gerstein -- Robert Ingpen -- Steven Kellogg -- Leo Lionni -- Petra Mathers -- Wendell Minor -- Barry Moser -- Jerry Pinkney -- Alice Provensen -- Maurice Sendak -- Gennady Spirin -- Chris Van Allsburg -- Rosemary Wells -- Paul O. Zelinsky -- Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart -- A note from Nick Clark, museum director -- Biographies of the artists -- Selected bibliography of the artists. Maurice Sendak, Rosemary Wells, Eric Carle, and twenty other children's book illustrators speak informally to children about their art and careers. Includes fold-out pages with photographs of early work, studios, materials, sketches, and finished works, as well as self-portraits.
Related Online Resources for a Study of Ashley Bryan:
Video Interview for Words to My Life’s Song http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Ashley-Bryan/706174
Reading Rockets Video A video interview with Ashley Bryan | Reading Rockets
Ashley Bryan is an eclectic artist who uses painting, poetry, music, collage, and prose ... From there, Bryan went on to study philosophy at Columbia University, earn a ... Today, Ashley Bryan is a widely respected author and illustrator who has ...
Meet-the-Author Movie with Ashley Bryan Ashely Bryan on colors, life, and African American spirituals Created by TeachingBooks.net http://www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=57
Ashley Bryan Print Interview for Teaching Books http://www.teachingbooks.net/interview.cgi?id=69
