Nature

Joelle Anthony Putnam Publisher Molly McClure is living in the year 2041, right after the global economic collapse. The world is controlled by oil shortages, environmental degradation and rampant cities with no government. When her family’s life is threatened, she must travel through the downward spiraling world to save them. Activity: Students will explore new and recent entries to the OED. They can then find “new” words in __Restoring Harmony__ (or any other utopian/dystopian novel) and form their own OED entry. Students can then follow up their entry with a short persuasive essay on WHY it deserves to be recognized as an official word.
 * Restoring Harmony **
 * Novice Lexicography and Oxford English Dictionary **

** Hatchet **

Gary Paulsen

Aladdin Paperbacks Brian Robeson, a thirteen year old boy traveling in a small airplane to Canada to spend the summer with his father, is involved in a plane crash in an uninhabited part of the Canadian woods after the pilot dies of a heart attack. Brian then must find a way to survive and in the process, discovers much about himself and becomes a man. Activity: Have students take a passage from Brian’s time in the wilderness and underline every word that can be felt by the five senses. Then have student’s describe their favorite scenes using the five senses.
 * Using __Hatchet__ to Teach Imagery **

** California Blue **

David Klass

Scholastic After struggling with the knowledge of his father’s sickness, John Rodgers discovers an endangered butterfly in a nearby wood. Knowing that the discovery will alienate him from both his father and his town, he reports the butterfly and deals with the consequences.


 * Creating PSA’s **

Because a main subject of __California Blue__ is endangered species, have students create their own public service announcement about an issue they care about. Have students brainstorm topics, then choose a medium they wish to use with their PSA. This allows students to incorporate technology, pod casts, blogs etc.

** Tangerine **

Edward Bloor

Scholastic Paul Fisher has just moved to Tangerine. However, not much seems to have changed- he is still mercilessly bullied, legally blind and playing soccer. When Paul discovers his new town is home to underground fires raging beneath the surface of his soccer field, more secrets pour out of the woodwork about his friends, his family, his past. Using events, subjects and themes from the town of Tangerine, have student’s create a classroom newspaper. Working in small groups, have them appoint leaders (editors, copy editors etc.) and choose what images and stories they wish to include. []
 * Creating a Classroom Newspaper **

** The Cartoon Guide to the Environment **

Larry Gonick

Harper Collins Larry Gonick and Alice Outwater have a collection of nonfiction graphic novels that give young children or adults an easy to understand synopsis of real world issues. __The Cartoon Guide to the Environment__ includes environmental protection, recycling, energy systems, etc.

Students will write a persuasive essay outlining on of the environmental issues mentioned in __The Cartoon Guide to the Environment__. After completing the essay, ask them who their audience was, do they know? Then have them alter their essay for a new audience and new perspective, ie. children. Lord of the Flies Glogster http://www.glogster.com/abarbush/the-lord-of-the-flies/g-6lv5oli7tu1gpk1242fc4a0
 * Writing for Audience and Purpose **