Language+Arts

toc We have core books we read each year as well as genres to cover.

[[image:sob.jpg width="126" height="183"]]Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare -
Twelve-year old Matt is trying his best to survive on his own until his father returns to their cabin in the Maine wilderness with the rest of the family. Matt develops a deep friendship with a Native American boy. Matt must decide if he should continue waiting for his family or begin a new life with his friend.
 * Our Major Themes and Projects Found Here

[[image:lion-witch-and-wardrobe.jpg width="124" height="200"]]Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis -
The novel is filled with mythical creatures, humorous moments, and suspenseful situations. Although many events and characters seem improbable, the four children in the book—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—are realistically portrayed. They are well-rounded characters with individual strengths and faults.
 * We use this book to cover fantasy - comparing fantasy with reality and finding realism in the book.
 * We also watch the movie and compare movie to book.

[[image:tall_tales.jpg width="105" height="142"]]American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne -
Osborne has chosen familiar fictitious characters--Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Febold Feboldson--and actual people, such as Johnny Appleseed and Davy Crockett, and relates episodes that stress the individuals' human weaknesses as well as strengths.
 * This book coordinates with our social studies unit on Westward Expansion.
 * The children use this book to retell Tall Tales in a variety of forms.

[[image:family_apart.gif width="127" height="208"]]Orphan Train Adventures: A Family Apart by Joan Lowry Nixon -
A kind of period piece, circa 1860, A Family Apart has a distinct Horatio Alger tone. Well constructed incidents, including the widowed mother giving up her children so they can be sent west to find a better life, a grass fire set by sparks from the train, and a holdup of the train contribute to fast action and considerable suspenseparticularly about the oldest girl, Frances, who disguises herself as a boy so she can better help her brothers and sisters.
 * This book also coordinates with our social studies unit on Westward Expansion.

Genres:
Historical Fiction Fantasy Mystery Tall Tales