Title: Recess at 20 Below
Author: Cindy Lou Aillaud
Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
Copyright: 2005
Age Level: 5- 10 years
Lexile: AD900L
Suggested Delivery: Read aloud or independent read
Words to describe this book: bizarre, exciting, fascinating, intriguing, enjoyable
Summary: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play outside in negative 20 degree weather? Well if you have, this is a fabulous read. This is a story about students who live in Alaska that play outside in freezing cold temperatures. Between snowball fights, football and soccer in the snow, and sledding, the fun never stops despite the freezing weather.
Key Vocabulary:
Definitions found at http://merriam-webster.com
Before Reading Activity:
Electronic Resources:
http://alaska.gov/kids/
This website includes facts about Alaska, their culture, geography, outdoor information, and more! It's a great way for students to become familiar with the state of Alaska. Also, it provides students with misconceptions about Alaska and about their wildlife.
http://www.recessat20below.com/book.html
A website about the book Recess at 20 Below. The students can learn about the author and her background information. She explains why she created her book, Recess at 20 Below and describes her life living in Alaska.
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/
An interactive website for students to explore the different kinds of climates and weathers. For example, students can learn about the topic "winter storms". The website informs students with how and why storms happen, the different kinds of storms, and pictures to provide visuals.
Writing Activity: Many students favorite part of the day is when they get to go outside and play with their friends during recess. Have students write about their favorite recess experience. How was the temperature? How would your experience relate to the students in Alaska? What made it such a great recess?
Author: Cindy Lou Aillaud
Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
Copyright: 2005
Age Level: 5- 10 years
Lexile: AD900L
Suggested Delivery: Read aloud or independent read
Words to describe this book: bizarre, exciting, fascinating, intriguing, enjoyable
Summary: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play outside in negative 20 degree weather? Well if you have, this is a fabulous read. This is a story about students who live in Alaska that play outside in freezing cold temperatures. Between snowball fights, football and soccer in the snow, and sledding, the fun never stops despite the freezing weather.
Key Vocabulary:
- parka - a very warm jacket with a hood
- glacier - a very lard area of ice that moves slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface
- frost - a think layer of ice that forms on the ground, on ice, etc.
- static - relating to, or producing static electricity
- shock - used to describe something that surprises and usually upsets people
- mountain - an area of land that rises very high above the land around it
Definitions found at http://merriam-webster.com
Before Reading Activity:
- Do a picture walk of the book before reading it. Ask students to make predictions based on the pictures and the title of the book. What do they think this story will be about? Where do you think this story takes place? What makes you think that?
- Use a double-entry journal to increase students comprehension. On the left hand side, have students write down a quote or statement that surprised them in the book. On the right hand side, have students write their reaction towards the quote/statement.
- Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast recess at your school to recess in Alaska. Have students pair and share and write down their ideas. Afterwards, create a classroom diagram. What are the similarities? What are the differences?
Electronic Resources:
http://alaska.gov/kids/
This website includes facts about Alaska, their culture, geography, outdoor information, and more! It's a great way for students to become familiar with the state of Alaska. Also, it provides students with misconceptions about Alaska and about their wildlife.
http://www.recessat20below.com/book.html
A website about the book Recess at 20 Below. The students can learn about the author and her background information. She explains why she created her book, Recess at 20 Below and describes her life living in Alaska.
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/
An interactive website for students to explore the different kinds of climates and weathers. For example, students can learn about the topic "winter storms". The website informs students with how and why storms happen, the different kinds of storms, and pictures to provide visuals.
Writing Activity: Many students favorite part of the day is when they get to go outside and play with their friends during recess. Have students write about their favorite recess experience. How was the temperature? How would your experience relate to the students in Alaska? What made it such a great recess?