Need a book: westward expansion/covered wagons, 4th gr level

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Primary Elementary Teachers Chatboard

Need a book: westward expansion/covered wagons, 4th gr level

by B/2/NY

Mar 24, 2009

Hello teachers!

I am working on a thematic unit on pioneer life/westward expansion and I need a new book for my high-achieving readers. It needs to be at a 4th grade level, and about covered wagons. (I have one picked out for life on the prairie.)

I already have the Laura Ingalls series but have decided not to use it, so many of the kids have read it/had it read to them and I want something new...

We are using Sarah, Plain and Tall later in the year, so that won't work either.

I ordered a book called Bound for Oregon but have decided not to use it because it introduces the N--- word, and I think my class is too young for an academic discussion about that. If it came up at school I would handle it, but I don't want to be the one that teaches it to them!

If anyone is still reading, I am also trying to remember a book I read when I was a kid. It was about a girl that traveled west with her family to homestead, she was very afraid and thoug...See More

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Malibu Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie Mr. Tucket Dear Levi Trouble for Lucy

Mar 25, 2009

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Mary/OH A Packet of Seeds by Deborah Hopkinson

Mar 28, 2009

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5th Grade Teacher I have used Bound for Oregon for years, and I discuss the "n" word in chapter 8 prior to having the kids read that chapter silently. If you read the author's note at the back it gives a good explanation of why that word was used. Since Mary Ellen Todd is related to Mary Todd Lincoln (the author's note mentions that as well), we talk about slavery q...See More

Mar 28, 2009

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B/2/NY Thanks for the suggestions, folks, I reserved some of them and will pick them up from our library tomorrow.

5th grade teacher, if I taught older kids I would definitely take on the "teachable moment"... but I just think 7 year olds are too little (at least the ones in my class, they are very sheltered). I don't want to be the one that tea...See MoreThanks for the suggestions, folks, I reserved some of them and will pick them up from our library tomorrow.

5th grade teacher, if I taught older kids I would definitely take on the "teachable moment"... but I just think 7 year olds are too little (at least the ones in my class, they are very sheltered). I don't want to be the one that teaches them such an ugly word. Slavery, civil rights, Rosa Parks and Dr. King were all explored in our room, and the ugly truths felt like enough without that one ugly specific, which I know they will learn soon enough.

Thanks again, B

On 3/28/09, 5th Grade Teacher wrote: > I have used Bound for Oregon for years, and I discuss the "n" > word in chapter 8 prior to having the kids read that chapter > silently. If you read the author's note at the back it gives > a good explanation of why that word was used. Since Mary > Ellen Todd is related to Mary Todd Lincoln (the author's note > mentions that as well), we talk about slavery quite a bit at > this point. > > > On 3/24/09, B/2/NY wrote: >> Hello teachers! >> >> I am working on a thematic unit on pioneer life/westward >> expansion and I need a new book for my high-achieving >> readers. It needs to be at a 4th grade level, and about >> covered wagons. (I have one picked out for life on the >> prairie.) >> >> I already have the Laura Ingalls series but have decided >> not to use it, so many of the kids have read it/had it read >> to them and I want something new... >> >> We are using Sarah, Plain and Tall later in the year, so >> that won't work either. >> >> I ordered a book called Bound for Oregon but have decided >> not to use it because it introduces the N--- word, and I >> think my class is too young for an academic discussion >> about that. If it came up at school I would handle it, but >> I don't want to be the one that teaches it to them! >> >> If anyone is still reading, I am also trying to remember a >> book I read when I was a kid. It was about a girl that >> traveled west with her family to homestead, she was very >> afraid and thought if she could trade her uncle something >> precious for a lion's tooth charm he had, it would make her >> brave. He agreed that if she made an apple dumpling from >> her own apple tree he would trade with her. The uncle's >> name was Romeo. I remember the girl had a bossy sister >> named, I think, Miney, and she called the apple tree Miss >> Appleseed... does anyone remember this book? I can't find >> it anywhere... >> >> Thanks for any suggestions you can offer! >> >> --B

Mar 29, 2009

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5th Grade Teacher Have you thought about the Russell Freedman books? They are non fiction, and the photographs are amazing. I know there is one about children of the west as well as several about native american children.

On 3/29/09, B/2/NY wrote: > Thanks for the suggestions, folks, I reserved some of them and > will pick them up from our library tom...See MoreHave you thought about the Russell Freedman books? They are non fiction, and the photographs are amazing. I know there is one about children of the west as well as several about native american children.

On 3/29/09, B/2/NY wrote: > Thanks for the suggestions, folks, I reserved some of them and > will pick them up from our library tomorrow. > > 5th grade teacher, if I taught older kids I would definitely take > on the "teachable moment"... but I just think 7 year olds are too > little (at least the ones in my class, they are very sheltered). > I don't want to be the one that teaches them such an ugly word. > Slavery, civil rights, Rosa Parks and Dr. King were all explored > in our room, and the ugly truths felt like enough without that > one ugly specific, which I know they will learn soon enough. > > Thanks again, B > > > On 3/28/09, 5th Grade Teacher wrote: >> I have used Bound for Oregon for years, and I discuss the "n" >> word in chapter 8 prior to having the kids read that chapter >> silently. If you read the author's note at the back it gives >> a good explanation of why that word was used. Since Mary >> Ellen Todd is related to Mary Todd Lincoln (the author's note >> mentions that as well), we talk about slavery quite a bit at >> this point. >> >> >> On 3/24/09, B/2/NY wrote: >>> Hello teachers! >>> >>> I am working on a thematic unit on pioneer life/westward >>> expansion and I need a new book for my high-achieving >>> readers. It needs to be at a 4th grade level, and about >>> covered wagons. (I have one picked out for life on the >>> prairie.) >>> >>> I already have the Laura Ingalls series but have decided >>> not to use it, so many of the kids have read it/had it read >>> to them and I want something new... >>> >>> We are using Sarah, Plain and Tall later in the year, so >>> that won't work either. >>> >>> I ordered a book called Bound for Oregon but have decided >>> not to use it because it introduces the N--- word, and I >>> think my class is too young for an academic discussion >>> about that. If it came up at school I would handle it, but >>> I don't want to be the one that teaches it to them! >>> >>> If anyone is still reading, I am also trying to remember a >>> book I read when I was a kid. It was about a girl that >>> traveled west with her family to homestead, she was very >>> afraid and thought if she could trade her uncle something >>> precious for a lion's tooth charm he had, it would make her >>> brave. He agreed that if she made an apple dumpling from >>> her own apple tree he would trade with her. The uncle's >>> name was Romeo. I remember the girl had a bossy sister >>> named, I think, Miney, and she called the apple tree Miss >>> Appleseed... does anyone remember this book? I can't find >>> it anywhere... >>> >>> Thanks for any suggestions you can offer! >>> >>> --B

Mar 29, 2009

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