Baseball's Bambino
Becoming Babe Ruth by Tavares, Matt — Candlewick Press, 2016--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1 An illustrated biography of Babe Ruth that describes his childhood and how he became a famous baseball player.
Rationale: When Baseball Spring Training begins or when the opening game of the year is played, that’s the time to introduce a baseball unit. Within Books Alive are entries about the Negro Leagues, baseball and the Japanese and World War II, and individual players. Check the Books Alive Index to locate all of those entries. Group them together in a major unit or choose the one or ones you’d like to use or organize them into a sequential grade by grade series you do each year or pick and choose activities you like from each entry. There’s a lot here, probably more than the topic deserves, but a great baseball book seems to be published each year, and thus, becomes part of Books Alive.
In this entry we’re going to do some deep reading that is part of the CCSS. We’ll do deep reading at each grade level, but look for more details with each rereading or new title. In Grades K-3, we’ll use two books to find information; in Grades 3-6 we’ll reread looking for details, words and phrases to support the evidence; and in Grades 5-8 we’ll begin with basic encyclopedic information and add looking at other sources that make Babe Ruth come alive. This technique can be used with many titles, but especially biographies and other nonfiction.
Grades K-3: Who is This, Babe?
Background: One of the basics for deep reading is comparison. Throughout Books Alive I use various forms of comparison. Here we start with the Inspiration Book and add another book looking for new information. To do that we read the Inspiration Book, followed by another picture book biography, and may conclude with a rereading of the Inspiration Book. I use the rereading if this is the first experience with this type skill. I become the written note taker after students relate the information orally. I use this technique several times a year with primary students. My teachers report that the students enjoy this research and writing and think they are “big stuff” doing research. Encourage students to illustrate their “report” and to post them on a “Our Research” bulletin board. Now that IS big stuff.
Preparation:
Select the second Babe Ruth biography.
Chart paper or chalkboard/whiteboard and appropriate markers.
Arrange with teacher to set up a writing center in the classroom.
Introduction: It’s baseball season. Do you know any professional baseball players? (Allow responses) Do you know any professional baseball teams? (Allow responses) Who do you think might be the most famous baseball player of all time? (Hopefully somebody will mention Babe Ruth.) The author of today’s Inspiration Book thinks Babe Ruth is the most famous. Let’s read and see if we agree. Listen carefully because at the conclusion of the book, I’m going to ask each of you to tell me one fact from the book and I’ll write that fact on our chart/board.
Read aloud:
Becoming Babe Ruth by Tavares, Matt — Candlewick Press, 2013--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1 An illustrated biography of Babe Ruth that describes his childhood and how he became a famous baseball player.
We’re ready to take notes. Remember a fact is something that is true and can be proven. It is not what somebody thinks. For example, we might list the fact that Babe Ruth was born on a certain date, but we can’t say, “I think the whole world cheered.” I’m going to call on everybody to give a fact, a new fact, not a repeat.
(Encourage responses from all students. Ask the challenged learners to give a fact early in the discussion and the better listeners and thinkers to add later. If the class or group is small you may want each student to offer a second fact. Write the responses on your chart/board.)
We have a whole list. Do you think this is all there is to know about Babe Ruth? No. How could we learn more information? By reading another book. This time listen for new facts or more details.
Read aloud:
Babe Ruth saves baseball! by Murphy, Frank — Random House, 2005--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3 The story of how Babe Ruth restored baseball's reputation which had been damaged when the Chicago White Sox cheated in the 1919 World Series.
We’re ready to take notes again. I’m going to call on everybody to give a fact. We’re looking for new facts, but if you don’t remember a new one, then tell me a repeat fact. I’ll check the old fact and write down new facts on our chart/chalkboard.
(Again encourage responses from all students. Add new facts and check-off repeat facts.)
Let’s look at the repeated checked facts. Do you think these are the most important? Do you think that is why both authors mentioned them? Why do you think some of the facts are only mentioned in one book and not both? (different purpose of book, told different part of Babe Ruth’s life, etc.)
We’ve done some research today. If you were writing about Babe Ruth, what facts would you use. Let’s try to write our own Babe Ruth research report. (Transcribe what the students tell you. If your group is young 3-5 sentences make a report. If you are working with late 2nd graders or 3rd graders expect 5-7 sentences.)
I’m going to give your teacher the notes we took. Could you write your own research report based on our note facts? When you are finished with the writing you could also try illustrating your research.
Additional Titles for Research, Class Check-out or Display:
The Bambino and me by Hyman, Zachary — Tundra Books, 2014 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.0. George Henry Alexander gets the chance to see a Yankees game and Babe Ruth in action, but he is forced to wear a Red Sox jersey his uncle got him as a gift.
Home run : the story of Babe Ruth by Burleigh, Robert — Harcourt, c1998 p2003--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2 A poetic account of the legendary Babe Ruth as he prepares to make a home run.
Babe Ruth saves baseball! by Murphy, Frank — Random House, 2005--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3 The story of how Babe Ruth restored baseball's reputation which had been damaged when the Chicago White Sox cheated in the 1919 World Series.
The Babe & I by Adler, David A — Voyager Books/Harcourt, c1999 p2004--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.2 While helping his family make ends meet during the Depression by selling newspapers, a boy meets Babe Ruth.
Babe Ruth and the baseball curse by Kelly, David A — Random House, 2009--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6 Describes the curse that seemed to haunt the Boston Red Sox after they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees and could not win a World Series--until 2004.
Grades 3-6--Batter Up
Background: Reading for details is part of the CCSS. This Books Alive entry facilitates learning that skill. Part of the approach is similar to the listening and responding shared in the Grades K-3 lesson, then we expand on rereading and listening for support information.
Preparation: Chart paper or chalkboard/whiteboard and appropriate markers.
Introduction: It’s baseball season. Do you know any professional baseball players? (Allow responses) Do you know any professional baseball teams? (Allow responses) Who do you think might be the most famous baseball player of all time? (Hopefully somebody will mention Babe Ruth.) The author of today’s Inspiration Book thinks Babe Ruth was the most famous. Let’s read and see if we agree. Listen carefully because at the conclusion of the book, I’m going to ask each of you to tell me one fact from the book and I’ll write that fact on our chart/board.
Read aloud:
Becoming Babe Ruth by Tavares, Matt — Candlewick Press, 2013--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1 An illustrated biography of Babe Ruth that describes his childhood and how he became a famous baseball player.
We’re ready to recall facts. Remember a fact is something that is true and can be proven. It is not what somebody thinks. For example, we might list the fact that Babe Ruth was born on a certain date, but we can’t say, “I think the whole world cheered.” I’m going to call on everybody to give a fact, a new fact, not a repeated fact.
(Encourage responses from all students. Ask the challenged learners to give a fact early in the discussion and the better listeners and thinkers to add later. If the class or group is small you may want each student to offer a second fact. Write the responses on your chart/board.)
These are our facts. They look quite dull. Now it’s time to add details to expand the fact, support it, or make it more interesting. Listen for strong action words, and exciting describing words. Look also for a fact or facts that we might have missed.
Reread:
Becoming Babe Ruth by Tavares, Matt — Candlewick Press, 2013--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1 An illustrated biography of Babe Ruth that describes his childhood and how he became a famous baseball player.
We’re ready to recall details and any new facts. Maybe we mentioned a fact, but as we listened again there was more detail. I’ll write down what each of you suggests. (Take time to listen and write).
Now, if I post the list of notes that we’ve taken, let’s try to write a short three to five sentence summary paragraph. You may only use the facts that are listed. (Allow time for writing or have the teacher take the notes back to the classroom to do the summary writing. Extension: Ask a couple students to tally the facts use to find out which ones the students wrote about most often. Discussion after that tally can be an interesting learning experience, too.
Additional Titles for Research, Class Check-out or Display:
The Babe & I by Adler, David A — Voyager Books/Harcourt, c1999 p2004--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.2 While helping his family make ends meet during the Depression by selling newspapers, a boy meets Babe Ruth.
Babe Ruth and the baseball curse by Kelly, David A — Random House, 2009--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6 Describes the curse that seemed to haunt the Boston Red Sox after they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees and could not win a World Series--until 2004.
Barbed wire baseball by Moss, Marissa — Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2013. 796.357; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.0. Looks at Japanese American baseball player Kenichi Zenimura's time spent in the internment camps during World War II and his creation of a baseball field there. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Hothead : a novel by Ripken, Cal — Disney/Hyperion Books, c2011 p2012. -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.2. Connor Sullivan, All-Star third baseman on his Babe Ruth League team, has a terrible temper and problems at home, but when the sports editor of the school paper threatens to publish an embarrassing story about his tantrums, Connor must make a change.
Baseball is ... by Borden, Louise — Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2014--796.357; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7 A picture book that explores the history of baseball in the United States.
Legends : the best players, games, and teams in baseball by Bryant, Howard — Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), 2015. 796.357; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.7. Spring. The One and Only: Babe Ruth -- 42: Jackie Robinson becomes a legend -- Willie's time: the greatness of Willie Mays -- Too good: six years of Sandy Koufax -- "Something for me, Mama": Henry Aaron hits #715 -- Rickey Henderson: one of a kind -- Summer. Miracle!: the 1914 Boston Braves -- The Boys of Summer: the 1947-55 Brooklyn Dodgers -- The Outlaws: the 1972-74 Oakland A's -- Saved: the 1993 San Francisco Giants -- Too good to be true: Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa -- Victory summer: the 1998 New York Yankees -- Fall. Goliath falls: the 1960 World Series -- Something to prove: Roberto Clemente's quest -- The best ever: the 1975 World Series -- The Original: Reggie Jackson becomes Mr. October -- "Don't give us a chance": the 2004 Boston Red Sox -- Joy and heartbreak: the 2011 World Series -- A timeline of baseball's key moments (top 40 style). Presents a collection of information on baseball, including historical highlights, top ten lists, tributes to players, photographs, and more.
Pinstripe pride : the inside story of the New York Yankees by Appel, Martin — Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015. 796.357; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.3. Describes how the New York Yankees got started with no ballpark of their own and grew to the billion dollar franchise of today at home in Yankee Stadium.
Grades 5-8: Spicing up the Babe
Background: Making writing become more interesting by adding detail and describing words is the emphasis of this 5-8 Books Alive entry. Looking for detail and adding detail is one of the CCSS standards. Here we move from an encyclopedic article to a picture book biography and try to spice up the encyclopedic article.
Preparation: Make copies of a short Babe Ruth biography from an online encyclopedia such as ww.biography.com. Shorten the article to no more than one double-spaced page.
Chart paper or white/chalkboard
Introduction: It’s baseball season. Do you know any professional baseball players? (Allow responses) Do you know any professional baseball teams? (Allow responses) Who do you think might be the most famous baseball player of all time? (Hopefully somebody will mention Babe Ruth.)
I went to an online encyclopedia to find more information about Babe Ruth, and made copies for you. Let’s read it together. Some people say that articles from an encyclopedia are the dullest writing.
The author of today’s Inspiration Book thinks Babe Ruth is the more interesting than the encyclopedia article. Let’s read and see if we agree.
Read aloud:
Becoming Babe Ruth by Tavares, Matt — Candlewick Press, 2013--796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1 An illustrated biography of Babe Ruth that describes his childhood and how he became a famous baseball player.
Which was more interesting the encyclopedia article or the book? Why? (Draw the conversation around to mentioning the use of details and interesting descriptive words.) Let’s list some of the details and descriptive words you heard in the book. Use some of those same words and details to rewrite the encyclopedia article. Try rewriting about three to five sentences.
(Ask for a few volunteers to share their best rewritten sentence.)
Additional Titles for Research, Class Check-out or Display:
No comments:
Post a Comment