Grade Level:Grade 2
Lesson/Unit:Caldecott Unit – Fact vs Opinion
SMART Objective: All 2nd grade students will research the Caldecott medal, locate and consume Caldecott books, fill in data charts, create an opinion essay, and vote using justification language for the current Caldecott winner (as an authentic activity)in four 45 minute lessons.
Lesson/Activity:
Ø Introduce students to the Caldecott Medal using the Library Catalog (Destiny) visual OPAC. Have students discuss why this award might be important to them as readers. Using the Library catalog visual OPAC , under the direction of the librarian, as a class, have each student select a Caldecott winning book to research for this project. Have student write down the call number on a slip of paper and find the book on the shelf in the Easy (E) section of the library. Give students a chance to look at their choice and talk with peers about the winning books.
Ø Create an informational text article at a 2nd grade reading level about the Caldecott medal. Students will read this article, with librarian’ help, to find details of importance. Note-taking organizer will be given to each student, and with modeling from the librarian, students will fill in organizer with facts from text article.
Ø Before beginning next session, review the information gathered from the article about the Caldecott medal. Explain to students they will be playing the role of the Caldecott committee in charge of choosing a winner from the selection of books chosen from the library catalog. Hand out Caldecott committee note sheet, and model with the collaborating teacher how the committee would check for the following facts: copyright date, place of publication, illustrator’s name, type of art work used to create illustrations, number of pages, number of illustrations, names of characters, etc. Use the document camera to show the students the copyright page in the book with this information. Then model how to fill in the opinion side of the sheet with feelings about the illustrations: cool colors of blue for ice cold room for the penguin, bold colors for strength in the struggle for freedom, I like the humorous smile on the character’s face when he gets away with telling his mother he did not do it, etc. This part of the lesson should be in conjunction with opinion writing as per the ELA district curriculum map. Have students fill in the sheet for their individual books. If time allows, have students share facts and opinions.
Ø Review last lesson. Place students together in groups of 4, or 5. Have each group defend their book as the best book for a Caldecott medal in the group. Each group should decide on one “winner” in the group. Share with the class. Then have each group defend their group choice to the entire class and choose a class winner.
Ø If the collaborating teacher wants to take it one more step….in the name of authenticity, The last week of January keep secret the newly awarded Caldecott winners for the current year, and have 5, or 6 books preselected by the librarian as choices for the real Caldecott committee. Have student groups repeat the committee exercise sheet with facts and opinions. Have the groups present and have a vote to declare a winner and honor choices. Share the real results online with the students. Sometimes you will have a few copies of winning books, sometimes you may need to set aside funds for a PO at Barnes & Noble to purchase a few of the winners to get the excitement factor for this culminating activity
Materials: Library Catalog – visual link to ALA site for Caldecott Awards, Caldecott text article, note-taking sheet, Caldecott Committee worksheet, range of Caldecott award winners and honor books
Assessments: Completed note-taking page, completed committee worksheet
Common Core Standards:
CCSS RL 2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
CCSS RI 2.1 Demonstrate understanding of key details in informational text.
CCSS W 2.1 Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
CCSS S&L 2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
Focus Area/American Library Association Library Standards:
ALA 1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format in order to make inferences and gather meaning.
ALA 2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.
ALA 4.1.3 Respond to literature and creative expressions of ideas in various formats and genres.
“Kid Friendly” Language:
I can read an easy picture book, and understand the illustrations help tell the story. I can understand some illustrations are so important to the story that they deserve an award.
The Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal award is given to the illustrator of a children’s book. The illustrator of a book is an artist who draws, paints, colors, or cuts out pictures to match the words in the book. This award is given out every year. The book must be published (made) the year before the award is given. The book must be published (made) in the United States. The award is given in honor of Randolph Caldecott. He lived in England, in the 1800’s, and was an illustrator of children’s books.
The Caldecott award must be given for original work. The artist cannot copy someone else’s work. The artist should make the illustrations in the book make you feel the story more deeply. The illustrator may use many different styles to make the pictures. The illustrators may use many different materials to create the pictures. The illustrator may use different tools to create the pictures. The best illustrators will make you remember the story in the book because of the creative pictures.
Name: ______
Date: ______
Facts I learned about the Caldecott Medal Award:
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______
Caldecott Award Books
Title: ______
Author: ______
Facts Opinions
Roosevelt Caldecott Award 2013
Judge: ______
Book #2) Title: ______
Author: ______
Illustrator: ______
Information Facts