Students study the criteria used to select notable book awards, including the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal. Then they develop their own Class Book Awards to bestow upon favorite books in the classroom library. They decide on...

Sixth graders explore and analyze Newbery Medal books. They view a Powerpoint presentation on the Newbery Medal book of that current year, select a book, read and analyze the book, and prepare a multimedia book report presentation.

Students create a class book award. In this book award lesson, students review the book awards already created (Caldecott or Newbery) and look at books that have received these awards. They come up with their own award and nominate new...

A K-W-H-L chart is a great way to scaffold prior knowledge. As class members begin their reading of Out of the Dust, Karen Hesse’s 1998 Newbery Medal winning verse novel, they chart what they already know about the Great Depression...

Here’s a reading strategy that can be used with any text. Class members examine portions of a novel, and make predictions about the theme or subject matter of the book. Although designed for Christopher Paul Curtis’s Newbery Medal...

Students explore types of awards for children's books. They design a new award. Students review books and select one to receive the newly designed award. Students create a "medal" for the book jacket. They write an explanation of the award.

Learners examine Newbery book awards from 2005. They visit Web sites with author interviews, excerpts, and related activities. They explore both medal and honor books.

The Summer of the Swans, by Betsy Byars, is a 160-page chapter book about a family going through a difficult time. Complement your reading of Byars' book with this detailed outline of each chapter. Every section includes comprehension...

Students participate in the unit based on the Newbery Medal-winning novel by Louis Sachar and the Walt Disney Movie "Holes". They use the layered curriculum model of assessment and activities.

Students read and analyze the story elements of the novel "Holes" by Louis Sachar. They play a "Holes" matching game, complete a timeline of story events, complete a Cause-and-Effect graphic organizer, conduct research on Louis Sachar's...

Learners examine the writing process of Kate DiCamillo, the author of "Because of Winn-Dixie." They read author's comments, watch a slideshow narrated by the author, complete a free-write activity, and discuss Kate DiCamillo's top five...

Students make connections with the book Because of Winn-Dixie through writing.  In this writing lesson, students pretend to be the main character and write a letter to her mother, using very descriptive language.  Students also...

Tackle some big questions about A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle with a board game project. As learners brainstorm for and complete their board games, they consider what helps and hinders Meg on her journey and why she succeeds in...

Students are introduced to the book Seedfolks and the concept of community. In this Seedfolks literature study activity, the first in a unit, the teacher reads the first half of the book and students answer comprehension questions and...

Students read Dear Mr. Henshaw. In this language arts lesson, students answer Mr. Henshaw's ten questions using detailed paragraphs. Students create a lunch box alarm.

Students identify and interpret the author's writing process and how he came up with his idea for Holes. They experience a moderated chat with the author by participating or reading the transcript. Students also reflect on their own...

Students read 'Marty and Me' by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. They compare their lives with Marty's life, which in most cases, is very different. They find similarities and differences and create a montage. They include information about...

Students examine the various combinations that contemporary extended families take on. They identify how strong communication skills are important to the health of the family after reading a an excerpt from a first-person fictional journal.

Students will select a Newbery Medal Award book to read. They will complete one of three projects to reflect understanding of the chosen book. Their projects will be presented to the class in an effort to entice other students to read...

For teachers using the works of Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech, this site provides lesson plans and learning activities for Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird, and Bloomability.

A Google Drive folder with instructional presentations, discussion questions, student activities, and assessments for the book, Because of Winn-Dixie.

This site features a literature guide for the book "Missing May," by Cynthia Rylant.

What is the book "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant really about? This plan includes discussion questions and extension questions.

Provides biographical information and lesson plans for Cynthia Rylant, with her book "Missing May" highlighted.