Ideas From Mailbox

Free literature ideas to use today!

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Dear Teacher, In many areas, the air is crisp and leaves cover the ground in brilliant colors. Take your students outside to enjoy this week's pick—Leaves, by David Ezra Stein—a story in which Bear finds out why he can't put the leaves back on the trees. There are more great ideas for you—just scroll down the page! See you next week! Sammie Gann Newsletter Editor PS: Don't miss out on next week's Wednesday e-newsletter. Get FREE Common Core ideas! Click here to see a sample and sign up for Common Core Connections. It is a dark and stormy night when Meg, Charles Wallace, and their mother are surprised by a mysterious visitor. Things become even more astonishing when the caller leads the children on a travel through time to rescue Meg's missing father. Mrs. Whatsit gives the children special "gifts" based on their own unique selves. The importance of appreciating one's uniqueness versus the desire for conformity is one of the major themes of A Wrinkle in Time. To investigate this theme, give each child an 8" x 10" piece of wrapping paper and a same-sized piece of poster board, glue, and a gift bow. Direct the student to glue the wrapping paper onto the poster board. After the glue dries, have the student fold the paper as shown. On the inside of the folded project, have the student list five traits or abilities he possesses. Below the list, have him write a paragraph telling how he might use these gifts now and in the future. Finally, have the student attach the bow to the package as shown. After students share their paragraphs, discuss what life would be like if everyone were the same (like in Camazotz) rather than unique. Sponsored by THE MAILBOX® Marketplace TODAY ONLY, November 26! Take an additional 50% off all clearance items at THE MAILBOX® Marketplace! Shop Now! Bear's first fall is a time of discovery. He finds out leaves fall from trees. He finds out he can't put the leaves back on the trees. Then he falls asleep for the winter. In spring, he wakes up and happily greets the buds of the leaves to come. After reading, set out the book; yellow, red, brown, and green construction paper; yarn; a hole puncher; scissors; and black markers. Guide each pair of students to reread the story, identify seven important events, and then cut out seven leaf shapes. Next, the duo writes on each shape an important story event. Then the pair punches holes in each leaf, arranges the leaves in order, and ties the leaves together with yarn. The partners drape their work on a board titled "A Leafy Retelling" for a colorful display.