Focus Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3 (Common Core ELA) Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
Format: Picture Book
Complexity (Grade Level / Use): ATOS 3.6 Below Level / Independent Use
Description: This picture book explores the American Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of two children. The plot centers around a misunderstanding concerning segregated water fountains. Two cousins decide that they want to taste "colored water" from a fountain downtown, and in the process witness a protest march.
Potential Use:
- The concept of segregated water fountains is not explained by the author, so the teacher could read this book at both the beginning and the end of the unit then ask students to explain the meaning of "colored water."
- Below grade level readers and ELL students can use the pictures to support their reading of the text.
- Text-to-text comparison: What types of similar misunderstandings did Jacqueline Woodson have as a child?
- Text-to-self comparison: What types of similar misunderstandings have you had in your life? How and what happened when you discovered your misunderstanding?
Faulkner, M. (2008). A taste of colored water. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.