Children's Literature Lesson Plans, Authors Smith - Spinelli

Cynthia Leitich Smith
Ideas for teaching Jingle Dancer , Indian Shoes , more.

A Brave Spaceboy by Danna Kessimakis Smith
This teacher guide offers an author interview, discussion questions, and ideas for projects.

A Wild Cowboy by Danna Kessimakis Smith
This teacher guide offers an author interview, questions for discussion, and ideas for projects.

Doris Buchanan Smith
Lesson plans and activities for A Taste of Blackberries .

Keeping the Night Watch by Hope Anita Smith
Scroll to page 6 of this document to find a summary, 6 learning activities, and related titles. Adobe Reader required.

Mother Love by Hope Anita Smith
This teacher guide includes an author interview, discussion questions, and ideas for projects.

Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom
How are graphic novels different from comic books? Do they promote literacy? How can I find the best ones for my students? This document offers answers, with special emphasis on Bone by Jeff Smith. It requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

An Interview with Jeff Smith
This series of 12 video interview clips is dated January 2008.

The Big Elephant in the Room by Lane Smith
Ten discussion questions and suggestions for followup activities.

Teacher's Guide for Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith
This teacher guide offers a pre-reading activity, projects that address multiple intelligences, and a recipe for Mrs. Biddlebox chocolate cake.

When Moon Fell Down by Linda Smith
This teacher guide offers a pre-reading activity, comprehension questions using Bloom's Taxonomy, and ideas for projects that address multiple intelligences.

Robert Kimmel Smith
Lesson plans and classroom activities for Chocolate Fever and The War with Grandpa .

Owney the Railway Mail Service Mascot by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Scroll down to the Curriculum Resources for a wealth of learning activities that bring history, science, and literacy skills together as students learn about Owney, the dog who became an unofficial mascot for the postal service in the late 1800s. Designed for second grade.

High Elk's Treasure by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
This 22-page Teacher's Guide includes author and background information, reader response questions, graphic organizers for analysis, and suggestions for related reading. Requires Adobe Reader for access.

Lemony Snicket
Lesson plans and activities to support A Series of Unfortunate Events .

Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Lesson plans for The Egypt Game , more.

Curriculum Connections for the Ladybug Girl books by David Soman
A variety of activities and 2 printable handouts. This 12-page guide requires Adobe Reader for access.

The Ballad of Mulan by Song Nan Zhang
Students note details as they read. Includes text-dependent questions, vocabulary words, a writing task, and additional learning activities. Word processor required for access.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Robert Southey
Summary, analysis, and 2 sets of discussion questions based on themes in the story.

Dear Juno by Soyung Pak
Students note details as they read. Includes text-dependent questions, vocabulary words, a culminating task, and additional learning activities. Word processor required for access.

Resources for novels by Elizabeth George Speare
Lesson plans and classroom activities for The Witch of Blackbird Pond and other Speare novels.

Armstrong Sperry
Lesson plans and other resources for teaching Call it Courage .

Do YOU Have a Hat? by Eileen Spinelli
This teacher's guide includes a pre-reading activity, discussion questions, and ideas for projects that address multiple intelligences.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
Teaching resources include a video of actor Hector Elizonda reading the story aloud and additional activities , including questions for discussion, related titles, and recipes for a brownie and lemonade celebration. The video runs 11-12 minutes and resides at YouTube. The additional activities require Adobe Reader for access.

Sophie's Masterpiece by Eileen Spinelli
Teaching resources include a video actor CCH Pounder reading the story aloud and additional activities , including research topics and related titles. The video runs 7:13 minutes and resides at YouTube. The additional activities require Adobe Reader for access.

Jerry Spinelli
Lesson plans and activities for Maniac Magee and Wringer .