Spring Thaw
Web Page Created by: Sahara Kipfer
Written by: Steven Schnur
Illustrated by: Stacey Schuett
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Intended Grade Level: 3rd- 4th
Summary: One night, a warm wind arrives and sparks the start of Spring. The trees, lakes, and rooftops then begin to shed their snowy coverings. Next, the animals begin to awake from their winter's sleep. However, not all the animals stayed there for winter; the geese had flocked south for the winter, but with the start of Spring they have decided to return. In the end, the farmer and son go out to gather the syrup that had collected in the buckets from the maple bud trees and after they finish this job they stand and admire the setting of the warm sun.
About the Author: Steven Schnur, M.D., is a cardiologist (heart doctor) in addition to being a children's author. He enjoys his job as a doctor, but loves to write books in his spare time. Some of the book he has written include: Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic and Night Lights. Currently he lives in Miami, Florida with his wife and two children.
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Materials Needed:
Copy of Spring Thaw
A pencil
Your thinking cap
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Reading Activities
You need to print this checklist before you begin. As you complete the activities check them off, that way you know which activities still need to be completed. Be sure to complete all the activities because in the end you are going to be evaluating yourself and your goal should be to obtain a perfect score.
Stage 1: Pre-reading:
You must complete both of these activities before you read the book.
Activity 1: First of all, you need to print this KWL Chart. You are to fill in the first two columns of this chart. The first column asks "what do you know," in which you are to write three facts that you know about Spring. The second column asks "what do you want to know," so you are to write three things you would like to learn about Spring. At a later time you will fill in the third column with three facts you learned about Spring.
Activity 2: Before you begin this activity, print this Springtime Alphabet Worksheet. You are to fill in at least 20 of the 26 letters of the alphabet with words that remind you of Spring. For example, with the letter "A" you could write "April." Please do not use my example for the letter "A." To get you started thinking, you could name sports you play, foods you eat, or even activities you do in the Spring. Once you complete this activity, go to http://curry.edsc hool.virginia.edu/go/wil/Spring_Alphabet.pdf and view those words. If you have any words in common, you are to circle them on your Springtime Alphabet Worksheet.
Stage 2: During Reading:
Before you begin reading you need to print off the worksheet in activity one, in addition to reading its directions so you know what to do as you are reading the book. Once that has been completed you may begin reading the book, but on page 8 you are to stop and do the second activity.
Activity 1: First of all, print off this worksheet. This should be completed as you are reading the book. The directions can be found on the worksheet. Also, the directions say that you are to use a dictionary, the link for the dictionary you are to use is http://wordcentral.com
Activity 2: After reading page 8 you are to stop and complete this activity. You have been introduced to one kind of animal, a raccoon, that comes out from its den in the Springtime, now what other animals can you think of that hibernate, migrate, etc. for the Winter? Go to http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html to see how some animals spend their Winter. Once you have explored the website, I would like for you to make a prediction of what animals you think will be seen and/or talked about on the following pages. List at least five animals and in addition to naming them list one thing you know about that animal. This could be something you learned from the website or something you already knew. Lastly, you can write your answers on the back of the KWL worksheet.
Stage 3: Post-reading:
These activities are to be completed after you have read the book.
Activity 1: After reading the book and visiting the above links, you should have learned some facts about Spring you previously did not know. In case you want to know more, go to http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/spring/e ncyclopedia.php and there you will find more interesting facts about Spring. Once you can think of three things you learned, you are to go back to the KWL Chart you worked with during the pre-reading phase. Now you are to fill in the third column on the KWL Chart with three facts that you learned about Spring.
Activity 2: You are now going to create your own "Spring Acrostic Poem". Go to http://www.teach-nology.com/work sheets/misc/spring/poem/index.html and print off the worksheet. An explanation of this type of poem can be found at the top of your page and there is even an example of an acrostic poem. As you are writing your poem, remember to be as creative as possible and to use some of the knowledge that you learned today!
*You are almost done, just one last thing to do. You need to fill out this rubric and when you have finished hand it in with all your other work.
Sources:
http://covers.allbookstores.net/c/1190951388/book/full/9780670879618
http://www.clipartandcrafts.com/clipart/themes/seasons/images/flower-tree.gif
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/wil/Spring_Alphabet.pdf
http://media.npr.org/blogs/talkingplants/images/2007/12/ice_pansy_crop_430.jpg
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html
http://www.wordsaremyworld.com/images/buckets.jpg
http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/spring/encyclopedia.php
http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/spring/poem/index.html
