Saturday, February 25, 2012
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!
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This book really appeals to me, Karen. I love a journey, adventure, or a challenge. It's so good to have children read about this kind of thing, especially in a time when they're so constricted by managed lives and the overflow of media messages.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely with you on the great benefits of dogs as pets and companions. It seems like children really are richer for the interactions they have with animals. I know a couple families who've never given their children pets of any kind, not wanting the "mess and chaos" of having them around. Sure their houses are a little neater, but I think their children miss out on an important experience.
In my school the 3rd grade actually has an ididarod race of their own as a follow-up to reading this book. Kids partner up and one is the "dog" and the other the driver. It's hilarious. This year it wasn't the same because there was no snow!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I'm wondering if another book that might work for your theme is Sounder. Do you remember that book? I was wondering if it could work for my theme of perseverance. It could be an alternative for non-advanced readers, but I'm not sure the age of the main character would be good for grades 6-8.