Book:  The true Story of Balto, the Bravest Dog Ever, written by Natalie Standiford.

This is a high interest and easy read book for grade 2-3-4and it includes great illustrations  which will enable each read to use context clues to help with challenging vocabulary..  The author tells the story of Balto the famous  sled dog who in 1925 helped saved the town of Nome Alaska by leading a team of dogs with much needed medicine for town people sick with diphtheria.  The book also includes a map showing the path that the sled dogs took through Alaksa., and includes the time line dates whenthe journey occurred.  This book directly supports my theme of Dog's best friend and how dogs have played a part in helping man, and it also specifies what qualities that Balto had to have to be a leader sled dog.The book ends with a connection to the present day by describing the statue of Balto that can be seen at Central Park in New York City.  This story is includes realistic art work depicting scenes which are described in detail in the story telling.  Student who are challenged readers especially like this book because it is a easy reader with lots of pictures with the appearance of a chapter book based on the always popoular theme of dogs. This book also help feed the interest of children in the theme of dogs and the fact that dogs are much more than pets and  if they want to research Balto on the internet their is plenty of information and pictures, and several versions of this most dog inspiring tale!

Man's Best Friend

Children's Literature Theme Plan:

Dogs have been described as man's best friend through the years.
Dogs have been helping humans for several years.   Let's read and explore about the interaction of dogs and humans and the various roles  that dogs have played to become known as man's best friend.

Orientation for Grades 3-5-4

Objectives:  Identify famous dogs in the past 100-200 years

Identify what qualities does a dog need to have to be considered a helpful dog.
Identify what qualities does a dog need to have to considered a famous dog

Define WILD dogs and DOMESTIC dogs

Some of Book Resources:
Five true Dog Stories by Margaret Davidson

Bo, the famous Retriever by Lynn Simmons
Bummer and Lazarus San Francisco Famous Dogs by  Malcolm E.  Borker

Morris and Buddy the story of the First seeing Eye Dog by Becky Hall
The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standford


FAVORITE  FOLKTALE;  Mufaros Beautiful Daughters (an  African Tale) by John Steptoe

TALE OF MUFARO AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS , EACH DAUGHTER HAVING OPPOSITE PERSONALITIES, ONE MODEST AND CONSIDERATE AND ONE WHO THINKS SHE IS ALL THAT.  THE TWO DAUGHTERS  GO ON A JOURNEY TO THE CITY WHERE THE KING IS AS THE KING IS SEEKING A WIFE.  ON THEIR JOURNEY TO THE CITY EACH DAUGHTER IS PUT THROUGH A SERIES OF TASKS AND IN THE END THEY EACH GET WHAT THEY DESERVE AND A LESSON IS LEARNED.