This is strictly a literature and language arts unit designed for third, and perhaps fourth, grade. Using the following book list, each of the selections is accompanied by a spelling list, chapter questions, and writing prompts. These writing prompts are specifically designed to help prepare the third grade student with practice in the narrative writing format that is required by the fourth grade mastery test which students take in September.
Along with these plans, I strongly suggest making use of daily oral language lessons, which allow for regular teaching and steady reinforcement of the standard conventions of grammar.
At the end of the body of lessons plans are suggested unit culmination activities which reinforce the concepts explored throughout the theme. These cross-selection activities provide learners with the opportunity to demonstrate higher level thinking skills, requiring analysis and comparison between the plots, settings, and characters in each of the stories.
In addition, the student bibliography lists additional titles which relate to the theme of mother-daughter relationships. These are appropriate for those students who choose to further explore the theme, or for supplemental reading activities such as “read-a-loud” time or “reading buddies.”
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Patricia MacLachlan
This story combines wisdom, gentle humor, and the practical concerns of prairie life with an appealing rhythmic writing style that is sure to capture the interest of third grade students. It is a tale told by Anna, whose mother died the day her younger brother Caleb was born. The house on the prairie is now quiet; noticeably absent is the singing that papa once did with mama. Then papa puts an ad in the paper, asking for a wife, and he receives a letter from Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton, of Maine.
Sarah then decides to come and stay for a month. Anna wonders, will she sing? Will she be nice? Will she stay?
Spelling List
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Bonnet Pictures
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Envelope Pitchfork
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Gleamed Prairie
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Gopher Received
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Hearthstones Rough
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Hundredth Shoulders
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Laughing Smiling
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Maine Suspenders
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Meadowlark Twentieth
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Pesky Whispered
Main Characters
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Anna Whitting-Young prairie girl who tells the story
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Caleb Whitting-Her brother, whom she refers to as “troublesome”
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Papa-Jacob Whitting, who advertises for a wife
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Sarah Elizabeth Wheaton-Who answers his letter and visits from Maine
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Occasional appearances are made by Papa’s horse, Old Bess, and the two dogs, Lottie and Nick
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Matthew and Maggie-Neighbors from the nearby farm
Chapter Questions
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Chapter 1-Who are the main characters of the story? Describe everyone using as many details as you can! Why was it hard for Anna to love Caleb?
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Chapter 2-Describe Maine, as Sarah had in her letters. What questions did Caleb have for Sarah?
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Chapter 3-What did Sarah bring Caleb and Celeb? Why were these things important?
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Chapter 4-What did Sarah do for Papa and Celeb? What was the first song she sang with the family?
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Chapter 5-What things about Maine does Sarah miss? Describe them as she would have.
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Chapter 6-What did Sarah and the children do together? What does Sarah teach them how to do?
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Chapter 7-What did Maggie bring Sarah? Why was it important that they meet and talk together?
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Chapter 8-What were Sarah and Papa arguing about? Why do you think Sarah wanted to save the chickens and the roses?
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Chapter 9-Why do Caleb and Anna become suddenly sad when Sarah learns to ride a horse?
Writing Prompts for Sarah, plain and tall
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The author described many of the jobs that are performed in a home on the prairie. Do you help out at home? Are your chores like those performed in the prairie home? How are they different?
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Write an advertisement asking for “The best friend in the world.” What qualities do you think are important? How would you like your new friend to be the same as, or different from, yourself?
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Pretend you are Anna or Caleb and you are about to meet Sarah for the first time. What are you feeling? Will you like each other? What are the first things you will do together?
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Pretend that you are faraway from your hometown. Describe your neighborhood and town as you would to a person who has never seen where you live.
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Maggie told Sarah that she must have a garden. If you were faraway from home, what important activity would keep you from getting homesick?
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott, Adapted by Monica Kulling
This is the story of four very different sisters growing up in mid-nineteenth America. The story is based on Alcott’s own life. Like the March family, her family was very poor. Alcott worked as a seamstress, a servant, and a teacher to help out. All these occupations are reflected in the live of the four sisters. Remember, there are many versions of this wonderful classic. You may want to use a more accessible version as a classroom modification for reluctant readers, or a more advanced version for experienced readers.
Main Characters
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Marmee, (mother) -mother worked as a volunteer for the Soldier’s Aid Society, and was always kindhearted, sensitive to the differences in the girls’ personalities
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Meg March-the oldest sister who loved beautiful things but could sometimes be vain and self-centered
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Jo March-modeled after Alcott, a writer who is quick-tempered and high-spirited, often in trouble, loved to read, and even saw herself as the man in the family
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Beth March-shy and thoughtful, loved music, and always looked on the bright side of events
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Amy March-the youngest sister, couldn’t wait to grow up, loved art and drawing
Spelling Lists
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Fireplace Through
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Christmas Splendid
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Awful gossip
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Sighing daughters
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Suddenly admired
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Silent beauty
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Practicing parcel
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Volunteer delivering
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Boxes patiently
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Eager arrived
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Hardships croquet
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Journey brilliantly
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Pilgrims carriage
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Guidebook musician
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Sweetness furniture
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Gathered continue
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Delighted piano
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Handkerchief scribbled
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Rescue exclaimed
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Audience roundabout
Chapter Questions
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Chapter 1-What were the March family christmas traditions? Why was father away this year?
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Chapter 2-How did Jo and Meg differ while making their plans for attending the New Year’s Eve party? What was their secret plan for controlling Jo’s behavior?
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Chapter 3-What were Jo’s and Meg’s Jobs? How did Beth and Amy keep busy during the day?
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Chapter 4-Hod did Jo make friends with the Lawrence family? How did Beth get a new piano?
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Chapter 5-What was Amy’s problem at school? Why was Jo so angry at Amy?
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Chapter 6-What does Meg mean when sh e says, “Home is a nice place, even though it isn’t splendid?” Why does she say this?
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Chapter 7-Why was it difficult for Jo to play croquet? Why were she and Laurie so happy when Jo won?
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Chapter 8-What were Laurie and Jo’s secrets?
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Chapter 9-Why did mother go to Washington? How did Jo earn $25?
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Chapter 10-What was Beth’s sickness, and why did Amy go stay with aunt March?
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Chapter 11-What trick did Laurie play on the girls?
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Chapter 12-What changes did father see in each of the girls?
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Chapter 13-How did aunt March, Jo, and the other family members feel about John Brooke?
Writing Prompts for little women
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Pretend you are Meg. How do you feel about John Brooke, and how do you handle Jo’s anger toward him? What will you do to help Jo feel better about Mr.Brooke?
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Which of the sisters is most like yourself? Tell why!
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Which of the girls would be a good best friend for you? Which one would be a good sister?
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Pretend that you are the fifth “little Women.” Where do you fit into the family? Tell about your experiences as one of the March girls!
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Become either Mr. or Mrs. March for a day. How do you handle your busy household full of girls? What adventures and activities might be part of your life?
Ramona And Her Mother
Beverly Cleary
Ramona’s mother finally gets her turn to star in one of these very funny classics. In this selection, Ramona is trying to act grown up, but no one seems to notice her, especially with big sister Beezus getting in the way.
Main Characters
Ramona-A feisty, adventurous seven and a half year old, trying desperately to grow up/
Beezus-Beatrice, the twelve year old sister with whom Ramona is often at odds, as she struggles for the constant attention of her parents mother and father-in a constant balancing act, trying to better their struggling financial situation while at the same time raising two active young girls
Spelling Lists
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Brunch forehead
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Squeezed upward
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Squirted tickle
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Smooth preferred
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Economy wailing
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Satisfying finally
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Coiled repairman
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Swirled announced
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Trouble amusement
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Moment guilty
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Washbasin fascinated
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Enough annoyed
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Disbelief spattering
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Scowled pajamas
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Apparently sensible
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Plastic interesting
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Difficult muttered
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Impossible determined
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Pleasure learning
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Unscrewed reasonable
Chapter Questions
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Chapter 1-Who is Willa-Jean, and how does she behave at Ramona’s house?
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Chapter 2-Why was Ramona angry? How did she handle her anger?
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Chapter 3-Why was this such a bad day for Ramona? What does “cross” mean?
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Chapter 4-How did Ramona and Beezus feel when their parents had a quarrel?”
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Chapter 5-How did Beezus want her hair cut? How much money did Ramona have saved in her Q-tip box?
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Chapter 6-What was the secret that Ramona and Mrs. Rudge shared?
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Chapter 7-How did Mr. and Mrs. Quimby react when Ramona announced that she wanted to run away? Why did Mrs. Rudge call Mrs. Quimby on the telephone?
Writing Prompts For Ramona And Her Mother
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Pretend that you live next door to Ramona and her family. Would she come to your house after school? Do you think you could keep her out of trouble, or would you end up getting involved with her adventures?
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Would you want to sit next to Ramona in school? Why or why not?
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Think of someone you know who is like Ramona. Convince them that they should read about Ramona and her adventures!
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Make a list of ten ways to keep Willa-Jean busy so she will not bother you!
Meet Addy
Connie Porter
Addy is a nine year old girl living during the Civil War era. She and her mother escape from slavery after their owner, Master Stevens, sells her father and brother.
Main Characters
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Addy-courageous girl, smart and strong with many chores to do on the plantation.
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Addy’s Momma-A woman whose love helps the family survive
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Poppa-Addy’s father, whose dream of freedom gives the family strength
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Sam-Addy’s older brother, strong-willed and determined to be free
Spelling Lists
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Tobacco streak
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Wearing magic
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Freedom baggy
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Breath disguise
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Voices believe
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Crickets gourd
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Heavy swampy
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Stumbling sweaty
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Attention courage
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Pallet leather
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Worming strength
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Struggled silence
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Bucket brave
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Finished churning
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Shift disappear
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Early scream
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Medicine current
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Building dangerous
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Toward finally
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Hurried plantation
Chapter Questions
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Chapter 1-What were Addy’s parents discussing in the darkness while she slept?
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Chapter 2-What were Addy’s chores on the plantation? What happened to Sam and Poppa?
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Chapter 3-What was Momma’s plan for Addy and Ester?
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Chapter 4-What special gift did Addy receive from her mother?
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Chapter 5-What did Miss Caroline mean by, “I don’t cotton to those rebels?”
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How did Miss Caroline help Addy and her mother?
Writing Prompts
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Do you agree with Momma’s choice to leave Esther behind? Would you have made the same decision?
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If you were auntie Lula or uncle Solomon, what would you tell Esther about Addy and her Momma as she gets older?
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Pretend you are the nine year old son or daughter of Master Stevens. Will you play with Addy? How would you help her out, do you think you could make her life better?
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Addy has made it to freedom, and now she is in your classroom. What is she like? Will she share her adventures and secrets with you? Will you become friends?
