Steve Myers
TEED 521 Fall '07
Seattle University Master in Teaching Program

Themed Literature Unit: Giving Back to Others

In this unit of study students will explore through reading, writing and art what it means to give back to others.

Learning Target #1
Students will understand what it means to give back to others, and why it is important to do so.

Learning Target #2
Students will understand and use different skills and strategies while reading about giving back to others.
(Skill/Process)

Learning Target #3
Students will write clearly and effectively while appreciating someone who has given back.
(Skill/Process)

Learning Target #4
Students will be able to identify the main idea and supporting details of a text while reading stories about people giving back.
(Skill/Process)

Content Generalizations
-Giving back, whether it is something big or something small can make a difference in someone’s life.

-Giving back makes both the person who gave and the person who received feel good.

-There are many different ways a person can give back to others.


Annotated Book List

DiCamillo, Kate. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press
Giving is a common theme in this book. Through, friendships, relationships, and helping in her community, the protagonist, India Opal provides many examples of how you receive even when you give. This story will be read-aloud to the students throughout the unit.

Fisher, Leonard Everett. (1995).Gandhi. New York: Atheneum Books For Young Readers.
This biography tells the story of Gandhi’s life-long struggle to gain freedom for India through non-violent resistance. Students will recognize how Gandhi was will to give his life so others would not have to suffer like he and his people had under British rule. This book will be used in literature circles.

McCully, Emily Arnold. (2006). Marvelous Mattie. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.
This book tells the story of Margaret E. Knight, a young inventor who is determined to make the working conditions in the mill she works at safer by developing a metal guard to protect the machine workers. This book will be used in literature circles.

Polacco, Patricia. (1992). Mrs. Katz and Tush New York: Bantam Books.
This is a story about the intergenerational relationship between a young African-American boy (Larnel) and an older Jewish woman (Mrs. Katz). The two characters form a friendship after Larnel gives Mrs. Katz a kitten to keep her company after her husband passes away. This book will be used during literature circles.  

Stewart, Sarah. (1997). The Gardener. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.
This is a story of a country girl moving to the big city. The main character, Lydia Grace Finch transforms not only her surroundings but also Uncle’s disposition as she gives back to her family and neighborhood. This book will be used in literature circles.

Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. (2002) Something Beautiful. New York: Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
This book tells the story of a young African-American girl who is in search of finding something beautiful in her inner-city neighborhood. She is able to find beautiful things after talking with her neighbors and working to clean up the neighborhood. This book will be used during literature circles.

Silverstein, Shel. (1992) The Giving Tree. New York: Harper Collins.
This simple yet very touching book tells the story of a young boy growing older and the tree that just keeps on giving and giving. This story will be read aloud to the students after the theme has been introduced.