Nicole Clegg

Themed Literature Unit

Pursuit of Dreams

Second Grade

Learning Targets and Concept Generalizations

• Students will be able to identify main theme(s) in featured literature and find supporting details from the text.
• Students will draw from the text and their prior knowledge to make connections between self and aspirations of characters.
• Students will understand that it takes perseverance and vision to realize dreams.
• It takes many small steps to actualize dreams.
• Not every attempt in the pursuit of a dream is successful.
• It is important to know oneπs self when determining dreams to pursue.
• Students will work cooperatively in small groups.

Annotated Book List

Brown, T.A. illustrated by Lewin, T., (2004). High as a Hawk: A Brave Girlπs Historic Climb. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

This story of an eight-year-old girlπs climb up Coloradoπs Long Peak to fulfill her deceased motherπs dream is a beautiful introduction to the theme of pursuing dreams. I find the story to be a poetic introduction to the generalization that it takes many small steps to actualize dreams (in this case more than a life time).

Edwards, P.D., illustrated by Cole, H., (2003). The Wright Brothers. New York, NY:

Hyperion Books for Children.

This repetitive story demonstrates the generalizations of how it takes small steps to actualize dream(s). The reading level is appropriately matched with most second graderπs reading abilities.

Geeslin, C., illustrated by Juan, A., (2004). Elenaπs Serenade. New York, NY: Atheneum

Books for Young Readers.

This is a magical story that celebrates the unique gifts we all possess and the necessary risks that need to be made in the pursuit of dreams. Specifically, this story illustrates two of my generalizations. First, it is important to know oneπs self in determining dreams to pursue. Secondly, it takes many small steps to actualize a dream(s).

Lindbergh, R., illustrated by Paparone, P., (1998). Nobody Owns the Sky. Cambridge,

MA: Candlewick Press.

This is a beautifully told and illustrated story of a young woman, Bessie Coleman whose dream it was to fly. The many struggles she had to face and her self knowledge make this book a perfect match to my themed literature unit.

Krull, K., illustrated by Diaz, D. (1996). Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph

Became the Worldπs Fastest Woman. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Co.

The biography of Wilma Rudolph is an inspiring story that illustrates my literature unitπs theme of pursuing dreams. In particular, this book addresses the major concept that it takes perseverance and vision to realize dreams.

Krull, K. illustrated by Francher, L. & Johnson, S., (2004). The Boy On Fairfield

Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss. New York, NY: Random House.

The story of how Dr. Seuss became Dr. Seuss is a beautiful story of how the pursuit of dreams is a journey.