Monday's New Book and a Freebie

Has anyone read John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith?


Starred Review. Grade 2-5–Describing each man in turn as either bold, noisy, honest, clever, or independent, and taking many liberties with the truth, Smith relates how the Founding Fathers of the title–and Jefferson, too–played a part in securing Americas freedom. Hancocks penchant for sprawling his name across the chalkboard as a child led to his boldly writing the biggest signature on the Declaration of Independence. Reveres loud voice selling underwear in his shop came in handy when he had to scream The Redcoats are coming! Washingtons honest admission to chopping down trees led to his serving as president in New York City where there were few forests. Well, you get the idea. The pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations, richly textured with various techniques, add to the fun. Page turns reveal droll surprises such as young bewigged George, axe in hand and already missing some teeth, surveying his felled orchard, or Franklins rejoinder when the townspeople express their vexation with his clever sayings. Early American typefaces, parchment grounds, and vestiges of 18th-century life, like chamber pots and hoop toys, evoke a sense of the time. A true-and-false section in the back separates fact from fiction. While children will love the off-the-wall humor, there is plenty for adult readers to enjoy, too–the clever fly leaf, puns (…that bell-ringing took a toll on young Paul), and more. Exercise your freedom to scoop up this one.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT 
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

It is soooooo cute!'We are suppose to get into more non-fiction books. Appropriate ones for first graders are so hard to find. Well, this is not a non-fiction book entirely, but it is filled with facts about these men. I know it's says second through fifth grade. But, there are a TON of fun things to do with your kids.
I have made up a unit based on this book. There are plenty of the ELA Common Core Standards addressed in this unit.

ELA Common Core Standards Addressed
RI.1.3. Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. 
RI.1.4. Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RL.1.2. Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. 
RL.1.3. Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
  RL.1.5. Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types. 
SL.1.1. Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. 
SL.1.2. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. 
RF.1.3. Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. 
RF.1.4. Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Here is a freebie for you to get you interested.
Click on the picture to download.

Here is the link to the unit on my TPT store.
It's 40 pages of BEFORE< DURING< and AFTER reading.

Have a wonderful day!


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