[LM_NET] HIT: Watson's Go To Birmingham Prep

[Angie Woodson <librarypup@GMAIL.COM>]

Below are the responses I received.  Thanks to all who responded!

Angie Woodson
Media Specialist
Van Buren Elementary
225 Shaw St., Plainfield, IN 46168
317-839-2575
awoodson@plainfield.k12.in.us

___________________________________________


I LOVE this book. You definitely need to prepare the kids. If you have
videostreaming capabilities, I would show a clip from the civil rights
movement of what was actually going on in Birmingham in 1963. Books about
that decade would help, too. There is so much in the book specific to the
time (the songs, the hairstyles, etc.) that it lends itself to historical
conversation. There are lots of guides on the Internet. I had one but can't
find it as I google now. I will keep trying. Enjoy!

___________________________________________


In terms of videos, there is a section of Eyes on the Prize that deals with
Birmingham: it's Volume 2 of the DVD set: No Easy Walk: 1961-63. I would
definitely pick and choose: I don't show the firehoses even to 5th graders,
even though I do an extended civil rights unit with them. I think I remember
at least a few minutes that will help to give shape to the bombing.
Also there is a new book out: Birmingham, 1963 by Carole Boston Weatherford.
It's a series of poems written by an imaginary friend of the 4 girls who
died.
Good luck with this. It's a real challenge to help kids to understand this
stuff.

___________________________________________

I think blindsided might just make a more
lasting impact on them. I believe that was the author's intent.

___________________________________________

All of his books are like this, funny in the beginning and a great turn
around with sadness, social issues, etc. in the end.  I love his style,
hook them and then pull them through the really important stuff.  I
would just let it happen, kids need to know that life happens, and we
need to learn how to deal with the good as well as the bad stuff!

BTW, I almost wet my pants when I read it out loud to my mother one
summer!!! We laughed so hard, then cried our way through the last few
chapters.  He does tend to somber a body down.

___________________________________________

Maybe if you soften the blow it will lose some of it's effectiveness?  The
power of the final events is that they  are completely unexpected.  The
Watson kids are clueless as to what is going on in the South, and it shocks
them.  Maybe it should be the same way for the young readers as well.

___________________________________________

If you can lay your hands on a copy of the video, *Our Friend Martin*, it
includes real footage of the fight for civil rights during his time,
including the bombing of MLK's home and the riots with police using fire
hoses against the demonstrators, etc. The video is actually a time travel in
a cartoon type format with only flashbacks of those scenes, but it traces
MLK's growing up years, to the time of his "I Have a Dream" speech in
Washington. Voices are done by many famous actors, including Whoopie
Goldberg. It is a really excellent  video that I purchased several years ago
for about $9.99 from Sam's Club. Its only drawback is that it is about 90
minutes in length, but it will definitely hold their interest and provoke
alot of discussion.

___________________________________________



I love Watsons.... and I made a movie with the author that shares how and
why he wrote this book (as his first book).  Sometimes personalizing the
book by showing your students the author helps.

You are welcome to view our program with Christopher Paul Curtis.

See: http://teachingbooks.net/ccurtis

Enjoy. And if you have further questions, just ask.

___________________________________________



Childrens' March by Teaching Tolerance is a good video about students
marching out of the Alabama high school  - it could introduce civil rights
and discussion.

___________________________________________

Check out http://www.splcenter.org/    --Go to Teaching Tolerance tab.  They
provide excellent education materials.




-- 
Angie Woodson
Media Specialist
Van Buren Elementary
225 Shaw St., Plainfield, IN 46168
317-839-2575
awoodson@plainfield.k12.in.us

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