The Book that Jack Wrote by Jon Scieszka: It must be lots of fun!!
Posted on July 15, 2009 by Other in General, Lesson Plans, Literature, Tips, Uncategorized.
Tags: books for reticent readers, cumulative stories, humor, memorization, reading strategies, writing with children
You may recognize the author, Jon Scieszka, the author of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! (If you don’t know the two books, stop reading right now and go get them. They are funny, engaging and will appeal to the most hesitant of readers.) What I love about Scieszka’s writing is that it is electrifying. Kids just want to read his books again and again. The Book that Jack Wrote will be a springboard for many educationally valuable activities that can be implemented by parents and teachers alike.
1. Memorization has gone out of favor in some educational circles, but remains a valuable skill for children. The Book that Jack Wrote employs a cumulative pattern that will be famliar to the reader, creating a template for memorization with ease.
2. As children are memorizing, they may be motivated to perform their recitation of the book. Public speaking and vocal performance are both wonderful activities for children.
3. The allegorical references in the book may inspire students to make connections in their reading. The adult may set up the challenge: “As you read, you will find references to characters and events from other stories. See if you can find them all.” Then go back to the original source of the characters and events. Making connections is a valuable reading strategy for all readers to learn.
4. Students may want to create their own “cumulative” stories, either using Jack or another initiating character.
5. Everyone will enjoy discussing the genre of “humor”: what makes Jon Scieszka’s writing so wonderful? You will also enjoy studying closely the illustrations by Daniel Adel.
Humor is a wonderful way to get reticent readers involved! When my own daughter, at the young age of 7 wouldn’t read, until she came across the Captain Underpants books, I said YES, and bought every Captain Underpants book available. Great classic novels? No. A great way to get my child reading? Absolutely! Get kids reading is the message. Keep kids reading is the goal.
Bernice,
I know, right??? Many a student of mine memorized the cadence of the “Stinky Cheese Man,” excellent and struggling readers alike. I guess the secret is to find a way to have readers “fall in love” with words. If Captain Underpants can facilitate that kind of joy in reading, right on!!
OK, I’m probably walking into a mine field here…but the turning point for my youngest daughter was the …dare I say it…the “Junie B. Jones” books. I know, I know…oh the humanity (oh the poor grammar)! This quirky character turned the tide for my daughter. For whatever reason the author’s sense of humor struck a chord with her. She got excited about reading and wanted to read every single installation. While I was fully prepared to put the brakes on this genre if my daughter started channeling Junie B’s naughty tendencies, she never did. She read, she laughed, and she read some more. As Junie would say: “That’s a hoot, I tell ya!”
Susan,
Ditto!! My college-aged daughter successfully navigated independent school reading lists after cutting her “reading teeth” on June B. Jones. As I pared down our home library she looked over my shoulder to make sure that the Junie B. Jones books were still in the collection. She loved the idea of reading chapter books that might be a little easier for her level while she caught up to everyone else. I’m a big fan!
Thanks for your support, showing maturity in your response. Can’t wait to see what you write about. Go for it!
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