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2 nd Grade parents and students, Get ready to read some amazing books.

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In order for this to be a successful learning experience for everyone, the activities associated with each book must be completed.

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4 books

Learning Resources

Comprehension Game

THIS BUNDLE INCLUDES:

The Pirate Substitute

Lessons At—A—Glance June 1—June 11

Blackbeard the Pirate

Dia for Maria Celebrating Food and Family

Comprehension Games

AARRR Go Fish Matey Celebrating Food and Family

Portfolio

Choose 4 artifacts to put in your portfolio.

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The Pirate Substitute

Many students look forward to school days when they have a substitute teacher, but what would it be like if their substitute teacher was a pirate? In The Pirate Substitute, the pirate substitute teaches a life lesson to a shy student in his class. Vocabulary words: clink, heave, shanty, smear, geography, literature As you come to the vocabulary words in the book discuss what they mean and how the author helps you to understand the words (clues, pictures, or the glossary). Building Background: What do you already know about pirates? What jobs would be good for a pirate? Checking for understanding: After reading the listed pages, discuss your answers. p. 4- Do you think the class expected the pirate to be their substitute? p. 5- What can you tell about Jack from the beginning of the story? p. 9- Why was Jack drawing a picture of a pirate during class? p. 12- Why was Jack the last to reach inside the treasure box? Finished reading- Why did Pirate Chalk Beard give his hat to Jack? What

lesson did Jack learn from Pirate Chalk Beard? After reading (Choose 1) Activity 1: Analyzing Characters Think about Jack’s and Pirate Chalk Beard’s thoughts, words, and actions in the book. Using the character web, write words to describe each character. Be sure to use details from the story to help you. Example Think-aloud: I know that one of the main characters in this story is Jack. Jack is a quiet person. I know this because he does not talk much in the beginning of the story. I also know Jack likes to draw pictures because he drew a picture of Pirate Chalk Beard fighting a group of skeletons that was very good. Activity 2: Let’s Get Creative! Pretend you have an interesting substitute teacher. Maybe a pirate, athlete or alien? Create a story telling about your substitute teacher. Tell what happens in class while your teacher is out.

All books should be read over multiple days. Reading strategies If you get stuck on a word: Look for a part that you know. Is it like another word you know? Cover the ending and see if you know the word. Does the picture help you? Vocabulary: As you come to the vocabulary words in the book discuss what they mean and how the author helps you to understand the words (clues, pic-tures, or the glossary).

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Blackbeard the Pirate

Blackbeard the Pirate tells the true story of a famous pirate that ter-rorized the seas for years. Born in the late 1600’s, he learned to sail at an early age. Once he began robbing ships, he became one of the most feared pirates of the seas. Blackbeard’s story is inspiration for many colorful pirates in today’s books and movies. Vocabulary words: cargo, legend, pirate, privateer, sail, treasure As you come to the vocabulary words in the book discuss what they mean and how the author helps you to understand the words (clues, pictures, or the glossary). Building Background: Have you heard of a man named Blackbeard? Do you think that is his real name or nickname? What else do you already know about pirates? This book is nonfiction and has real information about Blackbeard, making this book a biography. Checking for understanding: After reading the listed pages, discuss your answers. p. 6- What is the difference between pirates and privateers? p. 8- What was Blackbeard like? p. 11- How did Blackbeard trick his crew? p. 14- How did Blackbeard get captured? After reading (Choose 1) Activity 1: Visualizing When we read, we often visualize, or create pictures in our minds while reading. One way we can visualize is by drawing a picture. Use the visualizing worksheet to draw what you pictured in your head after reading the pages labeled on the worksheet. You may have to reread and think carefully about what you see in your head. Then draw it on the paper. Activity 2: Biography Let’s write a biography. Pick one person or animal in your home. Write about the life of the person you chose. Include information like when they were born, their childhood, and what they are doing now. (Optional: draw a portrait of the person you wrote about.)

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Dia for Maria

As Dia de los Muertos approaches, Maria and her family are preparing to celebrate their loved ones, including a very spe-cial family member. Maria explains the Mexican holiday and learns that it is important to celebrate all family members. Vocabulary words: altar, gravestone, celebration, marigolds As you come to the vocabulary words in the book discuss what they mean and how the author helps you to understand the words (clues, pictures, or the glossary). Building Background: What is a celebration? Discuss what celebration means to you. What are some reasons you have celebrations? Checking for understanding: After reading the listed pages, discuss or write down answers. p. 6- In your own words, explain the holiday Dia de los Muer-

tos. p. 10- Why does Maria place a bowl of ice cream in Ratona’s old

hiding spot? p. 14– Why does Mom say that seeing Maria with Ratona makes

her happy? Finished reading- Why is Dia de los Muertos a joyful holiday? After reading (Choose 1) Activity 1: Become a Journalist You will be interviewing someone in your family about their favor-ite celebration. Choose a family member. Ask them the questions listed below and write down their responses. The final question is for you to answer! Interview questions- Who are you? Describe yourself. What is your favorite celebration? When do you have this celebration? Where do you celebrate? Why is this your favorite celebration? Final question! - How is Maria’s celebration similar and different to the celebration shared by the person you interviewed? Activity 2: Book Review Did you enjoy this story? Would you recommend it to a friend? Write a brief summary of the story and explain to a friend why they should or should not read it. You can even draw a thumbs up or a thumbs down!

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Celebrating Food and Family

Harvest is a time when family traditions are celebrated with grati-tude for food and each other. These traditions vary from place to place around the world. This book will help you learn the differ-ences and the similarities of celebrations in other countries. Vocabulary words: ancestors, tortoises, yams As you come to the vocabulary words in the book discuss what they mean and how the author helps you to understand the words (clues, pictures, or the glossary). Building Background: What are some of your family traditions? Do you know where these traditions began? Do you think all fami-lies have the same traditions? Checking for understanding: After reading the listed pages, discuss or write down answers. p. 5- Why do the celebrations take place in the fall? p. 8- What do the people of West Africa do before they can eat

any yams? p. 12- How do people celebrating Sukkoth honor their ances-

tors? Finished reading- How can you tell that food is an important part

of all the cultural celebrations? After reading (Choose 1) Activity 1: Be the Artist! Draw a picture of you and your family celebrating your favor-ite tradition. Write a caption for your picture that describes the tradi-tion and how you are celebrating. Activity 2: Compare and Contrast Think about the celebrations in this story and the one from Dia for Maria. How are the celebrations the same? How are they different? Now, think about one of your family celebrations. How is your cel-ebration the same and different? You can write your answers or dis-cuss answers with family.