2017-2018 Grade 5/6
Grades 5 and 6 Social Studies both focus on Canada. Grade 5 looks at Canada's geography, history and identity, and Grade 6 focus on how our democracy works. All are great themes to work literature into. We usually do a related novel and a variety of books about people who have used
Other library class activities included:
All book cover images are linked to descriptions, often on Goodreads, where you can peruse readers ratings and reviews as well.
Other library class activities included:
- Books listed in the sections below on the following themes:
- Allegories
- Picture books for older Readers
- Dear Canada Series
- How to choose a book you'll enjoy
- Whooo's Reading readathon
- Poetry Month
- Booktalks
- Introduction to the Alberta Overdrive K-12 collection of eBooks and audio books, accessible to Pembina Hills Public School student and staff with their school credentials.
- Public Library visit to promote summer reading
All book cover images are linked to descriptions, often on Goodreads, where you can peruse readers ratings and reviews as well.
"Coyote, the trickster, creates the world and all the creatures within it. She is able to control all events to her advantage until a funny-looking red-haired man named Columbus changes her plans. He is unimpressed by the wealth of moose, turtles, and beavers in Coyote's land. Instead, he is interested in the human beings he can take to sell in Spain. Native American author Thomas King reinterprets the entire Columbus conquest mythology as a trickster tale, making the point that history is influenced by the culture of the reporter."
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"Sam Campbell's school team, the Laggan Lairds, always loses. When someone suggests that their name be the Laggan Lard Butts, Sam thinks the team should change its name. What is a Laird anyway? The basketball coach agrees, and soon the whole school is involved in an election for a new team name. Sam and his friends nominate the name Lard Butts. When the basketball team starts winning games after a warm-up cheer of "Go Lard Butts!" it seems the Lard Butt campaign might actually win the election. "
This novel fits in well with concepts being covered in class: identity, citizenship, democratic decision-making, and the democratic process. As an 'Orca Currents' book, it's also a great example of that publisher's series of high-interest, fast paced, novels with contemporary themes. These novels have hooked many a reluctant reader.
This novel fits in well with concepts being covered in class: identity, citizenship, democratic decision-making, and the democratic process. As an 'Orca Currents' book, it's also a great example of that publisher's series of high-interest, fast paced, novels with contemporary themes. These novels have hooked many a reluctant reader.
In honour of Remembrance Day, we read the award winning Rose Blanche, written and intricately illustrated by Roberto Innocenti, . "In this book", writes Innocenti, " I wanted to illustrate how a child experiences war without really understanding it", just as he did as a child in Italy.
In the story, "a young German girl watches as the streets of her town fill with soldiers and tanks. Then, one day, she follows a truck into the woods and discovers a terrible secret." (Goodreads) The story is not a happy one, and does not end well. The title, the main character's name, refers to a group of young German citizens, who protested the war. They were all killed.
The book is a sad, but gentle introduction to the atrocities of the Second World War, and to wars everywhere. It is presented, as Remembrance Day itself is, so that all generations are aware of the dangers of not being afraid of war.
In the story, "a young German girl watches as the streets of her town fill with soldiers and tanks. Then, one day, she follows a truck into the woods and discovers a terrible secret." (Goodreads) The story is not a happy one, and does not end well. The title, the main character's name, refers to a group of young German citizens, who protested the war. They were all killed.
The book is a sad, but gentle introduction to the atrocities of the Second World War, and to wars everywhere. It is presented, as Remembrance Day itself is, so that all generations are aware of the dangers of not being afraid of war.
Short Story: 'The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus' by Frank L. Baum (author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Click here to read the story online or download eBook.
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Allegories:
Picture Books for Older Readers
"Set in ancient Egypt, Base's latest dynamic, clue-laden adventure stars two wily thieves, Jackal and Ibis; the Cat Pharaoh offers to pardon them if they steal back a jeweled fish sculpture from the Crocodile Prince. The quest, complete with a chase and more imprudent deeds, ends badly for the two. They are condemned to a lifetime of angling for the Jewel Fish that springs to life when it gets wet and goes missing. Readers can release the pair "from their endless task" by deciphering which fish among many in an underwater scene is the Jewel Fish (and by manipulating wheels embedded in the back cover to replicate the jeweled pattern on the fish's fins). Base (The Legend of the Golden Snail) doesn't disappoint his sleuthing fans, providing decodable hieroglyphic messages on painted stone tablets across the bottom of each spread. This tale packs in plenty of puzzle solving and Egyptology amid the boldly animated scenes; the illustrations' exquisite details—right down to the comical facial expressions of the bumbling thieves—tell much of the story." Publishers Weekly
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Dear Canada Series - Introduction |
Poetry |