Wild Wings by Gill Lewis. 2011.

Flight from Gambia to Scotland

Inspiration Book:

Wild wings by Lewis, Gill — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, c2011 p2012 -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.3. Callum becomes friends with Iona, a practically feral classmate who has discovered an osprey, thought to be gone from Scotland, on Callum's family farm, and they eventually share the secret with others, including Jeneba who encounters the same bird at her home in Gambia. 

Rationale (actually a little library philosophy): Annually in the fall, the fourth graders in my school do a unit based on Owls in the Family  or There’s an Owl in the Shower. Sometimes the fourth grade skips this book study and we do the birds of prey unit when the fifth grade reads Hoot instead. The library portion of the unit involves their first research project of the year about birds of prey or owls. Over the years I have collected books similar in format about birds of prey at a slightly easier reading level for our research project. I will soon have enough different titles to allow each student to have two books about his/her bird, and then, I can add a comparison twist to the research. 

I read a picture book about a bird of prey to begin the lesson, and have all the nonfiction books on display. The next step is having the students select their bird from the collection on display. Who gets to choose first may be determined by birthday month, birthday date, alphabetical order of first or last name, or strugglers choose first. Even before I tell them what the research project is going to be, they read their non-fiction book before the next library class. I have found that students will read their books when they choose the topic and are given some time in class. Then, the next time we meet we go through the research process. 

When doing a research project with a class, we arrange to have the class come to the library two or three times a week  for two or three weeks. Having a modified flexible schedule provides the time needed. I have found that in schools with one or two sections of each grade it is possible to have a modified flexible schedule. In larger schools students in grades K-2 have a set weekly schedule while the other grades have a modified flexible schedule. It is also helpful not to have every section of a class doing the very same research project at the same time.

Idea: For this particular book, read Wild Wings aloud to begin the next grade (5th) the year after the research project and thus, bridge two grades. Use some of the links below to share while you or the teacher read aloud. Or you may also want to use Belle’s Journey : an Osprey Takes Flight, a NSTA Outstanding Trade Book for 2019. Belle may have its own entry at some time as a spin-off of the 4th grade research.

Author Link

Gill Lewis personal website: http://www.gilllewis.com/

Wildlife links

RSPB website - www.rspb.org.uk

Highland Foundation for Wildlife - www.roydennis.org

Rutland Water Project - www.ospreys.org.uk

Scottish Wildlife Trust - www.swt.org.uk

Lake District Osprey project - www.ospreywatch.co.uk

North America - www.osprey.com

Other Titles for Booktalking, Display, and/or Check-out:

Grades 3-6:

Saving birds : heroes around the world by Salmansohn, Pete, 1947- — Tilbury House, 2003--333.95; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.2. Profiles adults and children working in six habitats around the world to save wild birds, some of which are on the brink of extinction. 

Threat to the whooping crane by Harkins, Susan Sales — Mitchell Lane Pub., 2009--598.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.9. Describes the life and habitat of the whooping crane, and focuses on the environmental efforts being taken in order to protect and preserve this endangered animal. 

Owls in the family by Mowat, Farley — Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, c1961 p1996--Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.0. A young boy decides to raise two owlets as pets. Wol and Weeps provide fun and excitement for the boy in Saskatoon. 

There's an owl in the shower by George, Jean Craighead, 1919- — HarperTrophy, c1995 p1997---Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.5. Laws protecting the spotted owls in the old growth forest of northern California cost Borden's father his logging job. Angry, Borden vows to kill any spotted owl he sees, but has a change of heart when he and his father find themselves taking care of a young owlet. 

Faith, hope, and Ivy June by Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds — Delacorte Press, 2009--Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.8. During a student exchange program, seventh-graders Ivy June and Catherine share their lives, homes, and communities, and find that although their lifestyles are total opposites they have a lot in common. 

Belle's journey : an osprey takes flight by Bierregaard, Richard O — Charlesbridge, 2018. 598.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.3. Tracks the migration of an osprey named Belle who is born in Martha's Vineyard, learns to fly, and goes on an eight thousand mile journey to Brazil.

Snowy owl invasion! : tracking an unusual migration (Sandra Markle's Science Discoveries) by Markle, Sandra — Millbrook Press, 2018. 598.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.9. The invasion -- History in the making -- Snowies become snowbirds -- Good news, bad news -- Project SNOWstorm -- A star owl reporter -- The future is snowy. "A historically large irruption of snowy owls during the winter of 2013-2014 brought them across the eastern US, and farther south than usual. Scientists used this opportunity to attach GPS tracking devices to some snowy owls to increase understanding of their winter behavior and migration.

Grades 5-8

The maze by Hobbs, Will — Avon, c1998 p1999--Fic-; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 4.2. Rick, a fourteen-year-old foster child, escapes from a juvenile detention facility near Las Vegas and travels to Canyonlands National Park in Utah where he meets a bird biologist working on a project to reintroduce condors to the wild. 

Marvels in the muck : life in the salt marshes by Wechsler, Doug — Audiobook (CD) Boyds Mills Press, 2008--578.769; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 4.9. Wildlife photographs and text reveal the secrets of salt marshes, where fish, crabs, turtles, shrimp, and a variety of birds, including bald eagles, egrets, and osprey, rely on a handful of plant species that grow in the coastal wetlands that buffer the impact of hurricanes and require defending before they disappear. 

Hoot by Hiaasen, Carl — Yearling, c2002 p2005---Fic-; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 5.1. Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy's attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site. 

Saving birds : heroes around the world by Salmansohn, Pete, 1947- — Tilbury House, 2003--333.95; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.2. Profiles adults and children working in six habitats around the world to save wild birds, some of which are on the brink of extinction. 

Snowy owl invasion! : tracking an unusual migration (Sandra Markle's Science Discoveries) by Markle, Sandra — Millbrook Press, 2018. 598.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.9. The invasion -- History in the making -- Snowies become snowbirds -- Good news, bad news -- Project SNOWstorm -- A star owl reporter -- The future is snowy. "A historically large irruption of snowy owls during the winter of 2013-2014 brought them across the eastern US, and farther south than usual. Scientists used this opportunity to attach GPS tracking devices to some snowy owls to increase understanding of their winter behavior and migration.

The call of the osprey (Scientists In The Field (HMH)) by Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw  — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. 598.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.5. Explores mercury pollution found in the rivers and streams of Western Montana that might cause harm to humans--and the extinction of the entire osprey species.

Magnificent birds by Togo, Narisa  — Candlewick Studio, an imprint of Candlewick Press, 2018. 598.022; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.9. Linocut prints capture the beauty of fourteen birds from around the world including Japanese cranes, kakapos from New Zealand, and Andean flamingoes. Text describes the behaviors of each bird.

Rainforest bird rescue : changing the future for endangered wildlife by Kenyon, Linda, 1956- — Firefly Books, 2006--598.1734; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.1. Provides details and facts about rainforest birds from around the world, their endangerment and a range of conservation programs to save them, including profiles of individual conservationists and rainforest bird species. 

Birds of prey rescue : changing the future for endangered wildlife by Hickman, Pamela M — Firefly Books, 2006--639.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.3. Describes threats to the survival of birds of prey such as condors, falcons, and owls, and examines conservation efforts up close, profiling projects and workers. 

Animal hospital : rescuing urban wildlife by Coey, Julia  — Firefly Books, 2015. 636.08; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.6. Describes the field of wildlife rehabilitation, as sick and injured wild animals are cared for at a large urban wildlife center. Features birds, mammals and reptiles.

Fort Mose : and the Story of the Man who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial America by Glennette Turner. 2010.

Settling Florida

Inspiration Book:

Fort Mose : and the story of the man who built the first free black settlement in Colonial America by Turner, Glennette Tilley — Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010--975.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.9. Tells the story of Fort Mose, the first free African settlement to legally exist in what is now the United States, established in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1738, and includes over forty images, as well as notes on the uncovering of the fort. This book describes the life of Francisco Menendez, from Africa and then in British and Spanish colonies in America, and his founding of the first legal free black settlement, in 1738. 

Rationale: Some books, while excellent books, do not warrant a whole lesson based on just that book. This Inspiration Book is one such book. In fact, most books could be considered such books. How would I use this book? Students in Grades 5-8 often study United States history and government. Most of the textbooks, unless for the state of Florida’s state history, give passing reference to the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine--maybe a paragraph at best. When the class reaches colonial U.S. history, either give the teacher a copy of the Inspiration Book to read aloud OR read it aloud yourself in the library or the classroom.

I reviewed The Other Side of Free for an online review site. That title, too, would make an excellent read aloud. If you live in Florida, it could be a fine group study in an integrated unit about Florida colonization.

Teacher Resources:

Interview for The Brown Bookshelf http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2013/02/05/day-5-glennette-tilley-turner/

Lesson Plan from Port St. Lucie Schools https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/programs/african-american/documents/Lessons/04_SS_LPQ2_093.pdf

A series of lesson plans about Spanish Colonial St. Augustine for elementary, middle, and high school https://dloc.com/teachers/plans

Saint Augustine  Digital Memories http://staugustinedigitalmemories.com/fort-mose-teacher-resources/

Related Books:

The other side of free by Russell, Krista  — Peachtree, 2013--Fic-; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 4.9 In 1739, having escaped from slavery under the British, thirteen-year-old Jem finds himself in the custody of sharp-tongued Phaedra at Fort Mose in Spanish Florida, but his efforts to break free of Phaedra's will have surprising results. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.com

Precious Bones by Ashley-Hollinger, Mika — Yearling, c2012 p2013 -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.4. In 1949 in the Florida Everglades, a ten-year-old girl called Bones, whose father is part Miccosukee Indian, tries to discover what really happened when he is accused of two murders and sent to jail.

The old fort at St. Augustine (Symbols Of Freedom) by Sipperley, Keli  — Rourke Educational Media, 2015. 975.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.9. Provides facts about Castillo de San Marcos National Monument at St. Augustine, Florida, and discusses its history and construction.

Pedro Menendez De Aviles by Roberts, Russell  — Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2003--975.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 5.9 A biography of the Spanish sailor and explorer who established a colony at St. Augustine and claimed former French lands in Florida for Spain. 

The old fort at St. Augustine (Symbols Of Freedom) by Sipperley, Keli  — Rourke Educational Media, 2015. 975.9; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.9. Provides facts about Castillo de San Marcos National Monument at St. Augustine, Florida, and discusses its history and construction.

The settling of St. Augustine (Landmark Events In American History) by Riehecky, Janet — World Almanac Library, 2003. 975.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.1. Traces the history of St. Augustine, Florida, from its founding and development as a Spanish colony and military outpost in 1565 through the early eighteenth century, and discusses the impact of European colonization on the native Timucuan Indians.

America's real first Thanksgiving : St. Augustine, Florida, September 8, 1565 by Gioia, Robyn eBook — Pineapple Press, 2007--975.9; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.5 The world in 1565 -- Uncharted lands -- Spain in the 1560s -- Florida in the 1560s -- The Timucua, St. Augustine's Native Americans -- The founding of St. Augustine, 1565 -- Day of thanksgiving -- St. Augustine today -- Cocido Recipe. Provides an account of America's first real Thanksgiving, celebrated by the Spanish and the native Timucua in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565 with a feast that may have included a pork stew, wild turkey, corn, and beans. 

Colorful Dreamer : the Story of Artist Henri Matisse by Majorie Blain Parker. 2012

He Dreamed in Colors

Inspiration Book:

Colorful dreamer : the story of artist Henri Matisse by Parker, Marjorie Blain  eBook— Dial Books For Young Readers, 2012--759.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5 Colorful illustrations and text describe how Henri Matisse grew up to be a famous painter. 

Rationale: I have frequently mentioned my favorite art teacher who also loves books and with whom I have a close teaching relationship. It just recently occurred to me that there is something different about her and the other art teachers I’ve worked with in the past. My favorite is full-time in one building; all the others have had split building assignments. That meant we didn’t have the same amount of available time to cultivate a working professional relationship. If I have a split assignment art teacher in the future, I will make sure to try to build that relationship during the summer or on weekends or even over a quick meal after school. I’m the one that needs to make the extra effort.

I do need to tell you about a year long reading motivation program (I develop a new program each year) the art teacher and I did. Briefly, students maintain a reading record and set reading goals. If they reach their monthly goal (the goals are individual goals), they are invited to a reading party. One year I had a parent who was very artistic and an art teacher (different from the one mentioned above) who loved books and used books. The three of us colaborated on the parties. The parent maintained the reading record tally and made personal invitations for each student--some months it was several hundred, and the art teacher developed a craft or art project that could be completed in forty-five minutes that the students made during the party. In December she designed an ornament for each grade that represented a different country. Oh, we also had an easy snack that another parent was in charge of. This was also the year the art teacher and the fifth and sixth graders decorated a school bus like the magic school bus and it sat outside the school building as a year long advertisement for reading. 

Classroom Bookshelf, which I often reference, and have again below, has several great ideas to develop for this Quick Pick book. These are a few I have used: 1) Provide images of Matisse’s work for small groups of students to study and organize traits such as colors, shapes, and content. 2) Have students choose one of Matisse’s works to write or draw a response. 3) Compare several biographies of Matisse found in the bibliography. 4) Make a timeline of Matisse’s life and add some of his work to the timeline.

As an extension of this activity, you might have students identify further questions that they have about Matisse and his art or you might begin a broader study of artists and their representation in picture book biographies. Note the artists included in the general Classroom Bookshelf blogs. 

In Books Alive, there are a number of artsy lessons. You will find entries for sculptors and sculpting as well as painters. When looking at sculpture explore Sandy’s Circus, Metal Man, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude and Just Behave, Pablo Picasso! and Monet Paints a Day. If they’re not already posted, be patient those entries will be posted as soon as they are revised and updated.

The Classroom Bookshelf (only Matisse and Marceau) http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2013/05/picture-book-biographies-of-artists-marceau-and-matisse/

The Classroom Bookshelf blog features several titles ideally suited to this activity: Diego Rivera: His World and Ours, Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O’Keeffe Painted What She Pleased, and Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin, The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art, Edward Hopper Paints His World, Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat – 2017 Caldecott Medal Winner, Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery, World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Imagine! and Imagine   http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mati/hd_mati.htm

This website includes a slideshow of Matisse’s work that could be used with one of the ideas from The Classroom Bookshelf blog listed above.

Related Books:

Henri Matisse by Chabot, Jean-Philippe — Moonlight Publishing Ltd, 1997--709.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1 Includes painted transparent overlays and some die-cut pages. Looks at the life and art of Henri Matisse. 

 Henri's scissors by Winter, Jeanette — Beach Lane Books, 2013--759.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.4 Describes how French artist Henri Matisse was still able to create art after a serious illness confined him to his bed. 

Henri Matisse : drawing with scissors by O'Connor, Jane  — Grosset & Dunlap, 2002--736; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6 Presents the life and work of Henri Matisse in the form of a child's school report.

Painting Pepette by Lodding, Linda Ravin  — Little Bee Books, 2016 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. Join one little girl named Josette as she searches 1920s Paris to find the best artist to paint a portrait of her stuffed-animal rabbit, Pepette. After seeing all the fine portraits of her family in her house in Paris, Josette decides that her stuffed-animal rabbit Pepette needs a portrait of her own. The two of them set off for Montmartre, the art center of 1920s Paris, to seek out an artist to paint Pepette's portrait. They encounter Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, and Henri Matisse, who all try their hand at capturing the rabbit.

The iridescence of birds : a book about Henri Matisse by MacLachlan, Patricia  — Roaring Brook Press, 2014. 759.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. If you were a boy named Henri Matisse who lived in a dreary town in northern France, what would your life be like? Would it be full of color and art? Full of lines and dancing figures?Find out in this beautiful, unusual picture book about one of the world's most famous and influential artists 

A bird or two : a story about Henri Matisse by Le Tord, Bijou  — Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 1999--759.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.0 Simple text and bright illustrations describe the work of French painter, Henri Matisse, particularly his joyful use of color. 

Matisse's garden by Friedman, Samantha ( — The Museum of Modern Art, 2014 : -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.0  Introduces the artwork of Henri Matisse.

Name that style : all about isms in art by Raczka, Bob  — Millbrook Press, 2009--709; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.8 Examines various art movements throughout history, and provides an example of work of art from each style in order to aid in identification; and covers naturalism, realism, cubism, impressionism, abstract expressionism, and more.