Summary

This is a story about a small child who compiles a list of adversaries that contains just one name: Jeremy Ross. Summer has been fantastic for the child until Jeremy moves in next door and starts mocking him. Fortunately, the boy’s father is aware of opponents and prepares an adversary pie for his son to offer to Jeremy. The little child must spend the day playing with Jeremy to ensure that the pie works. While they are playing, the boy even invites Jeremy inside his treehouse. By the end of the day, the child is unsure if he wants to continue giving Jeremy the enemy pie. Enemy Pie serves an interesting lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.

Authors purpose

Teach kindness, courtesy, respect, and friendship

Enemy Pie is a touching tale that delivers the message that bullying is wrong and that anybody can befriend you if you are willing to try. The story draws readers in because they can identify with the boy’s emotions, heightening the subject.

Comprehension Questions

• Why didn’t he like Jeremy Ross? Give specific reasons.

• What did his dad suggest he use to get rid of his enemy?

• Why was he confused about the smell coming from the kitchen?

• Why did he try to stop Jeremy from eating the Enemy Pie? Did it work? Why or why not?

• What do you think was the author’s purpose for this text?

Classroom Activities Based on The New Literacies

Main Idea- Making an enemy pie.

Students will be able to: Explore the text to find key details.

• Utilize manipulatives to create an adversarial pie of primary concepts art. Students will listen to the novel Enemy Pie read aloud and talk about the text’s central characters and how their relationship develops. Students will next go through the text to unearth critical insights regarding their relationship’s evolution over time. Students will write crucial facts on index cards and then summarize the activity in response to the question.

• Students will grasp how the primary concept is found in layers, much like the components in the read-aloud enemy pie.

• Students will discuss the central concept of enemy pie in small groups and then present it to the whole class. Next, the instructor will assign several passages to pupils, collaborating to deduce the key theme. Students who accomplish this task will get fully stocked shopping bags, and these bags will include ingredients/manipulatives for creating a primary concept pie. Students will be tasked with determining the key concepts, much like the layers of a pie.

Reference:

Munson, D. (2000). Enemy pie. Chronicle Books.

Summary

In this funny picture book, a little child misinterprets her parents’ responses and words as fairy tales. She is confused by the varying interpretations of seemingly similar phrases and conjures bizarre visions of “A king who rained” and ‘the footprints in the snow.’ For forty years, a king rained? What is a coat of arms? Are there going to be wild boars at dinner? Understandably, a little child might be perplexed by her parents’ statements. Fred Gwynne’s clever wordplay and outlandish pictures have youngsters of all ages in stitches!

Author’s purpose

The King Who Rained is an amusing tale that uses idioms and homonyms. This work aims to educate pupils about similar-sounding but distinct terms and make learning new words enjoyable. It’s a lighthearted read that reads like an ongoing knock-knock joke.

Comprehension Questions

● What are homophones and idioms?

● Can you recall what happened in the beginning, middle, and end of this story?

● How do the pictures help you understand what the text is about?

● What are some homophones that you can identify in this story?

● What do you think of the little girl’s imagination? Do you imagine pictures when you read?

Classroom Activities Based on New Literacies

1. Begin by writing pairs of homophones on index cards, one word per card. Distribute the cards randomly among the pupils. Students will hold their cards in front of them to see them and search for a classmate who has the corresponding homophone.

2. Each child must correctly pronounce a sentence utilizing their homophone following their pairing. Then, have students switch cards with one another and play one again.

3. Utilize a dictionary of phonic materials to assist children in identifying their own homophones and creating their own homophone game. Students will be required to outline the rules for their games and the procedures necessary to play, and they will then demonstrate their games for their peers to play.

Reference:

Gwynne, F. (1988). The king who rained (Later Printing ed.). Aladdin.

Summary: Keesia picks Henri Matisse for her artist report because they have the same birthday. She finds out that over his long career Matisse made the so-called “drawing with scissors”. Keesia follows Matisse through his life and discovers why he is considered one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century.

Author’s Purpose: The book sparkles creativity and teaches students to express it by learning from great artists.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

1. Discussion:

· What shapes do you see in Matisse’s artwork?

· How do your interpretations differ or are they the same?

· What new story might you be able to tell using the shapes you see?

2. Students create their own artwork and write a story about it.

Reference:

O’Connor, J., & Hartland, J. (2002). Henri matisse: Drawing with scissors (smart about art) (Illustrated ed.). Grosset & Dunlap.

Summary: This is the story of a socially anxious girl who is worried about what others may think of her at school. She then is shocked when she wakes up with stripes of every color on her when she needs to go to school.

Author’s Purpose: To show many truths about social situations which are found in school. Things like being nervous, worrying about what others think, the negativity of bullying, and the importance of being true to who you are.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

1. Dramatic arts: Ask students to work in groups to act out another situation someone may be nervous in, and how friends can help assist them in the process.

Reference:

Shannon, D. (2004b). A bad case of stripes (scholastic bookshelf) (1st ed.). Scholastic.

Summary: This book is a graphic novel about a Bird and Squirrel that go on a road trip. It starts with Squirrel, who hides from a cat, then Bird causes Squirrel to lose his food, then they set off to find food down south. It is a fun adventure.

Author’s Purpose: The author writes the book to entertain, and the story brings laughter as Bird and Squirrel go through their adventure.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

1. Drama. Students will take part in acting out the comic book. Choose a section they want to present, write a short script for each part, and then put up a show for the class.

2. Arts. Have students create models of Bird and Squirrel for the play. They can use the maker space to build costumes, masks, or the art room to paint scenes for the play.

Reference:

Burks, J. (2012a). Bird & squirrel on the run!: A graphic novel (bird & squirrel #1) (Illustrated ed.). Graphix.