Grace For President

Introduction

Summary: The book is about a young girl who is surprised that there hasn’t been a female President in the United States of America. In her school she decides to run for President in the Election.  The boy running opposite of Grace is Thomas Cobb who wins everything in school. Grace isn’t going to let that get her down. She knows with hard work, speaking with her classmates and with determination her campaign will be successful.

  Written by: Kelly S. Dipucchio

   Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham

   Copyright: 2008

    Genre: Fiction

     Pages: 40

Task

Classroom Use: Having a small election similar to what was displayed in the book would be a good demonstration of the process. I think two teachers should collaborate and the each class should nominate a student. The students would have a week to campaign and the two classes will then vote at the end of the week.

 

Teacher Thinking Notes: Students will create vocabulary journals to help understand the key concepts. 

Process

Steps needed to have a mini Election in the classroom:

  • Have students to learn the differnt Vocab. Words by creating a foldable or have them write words and meaning in their journals.
  • Divide the class up into two groups
  • In each group one person will be randomly selected to run as the class President.
  • In the one week students will learn about the overall process of campagining.
  • The two candidates that are running will have time to create their speeches and present them to the class.
  • Also the two candidates will have time to create campaign posters
  • The last day will be the Election Day

Evaluation

                                                 Collaborative Work Skills

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Working with Others

Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together.

Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause \"waves\" in the group.

Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team member.

Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player.

Focus on the task

Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed.

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person.

Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task.

Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work.

Contributions

Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort.

Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard!

Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required.

Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.

Preparedness

Brings needed materials to class and is always ready to work.

Almost always brings needed materials to class and is ready to work.

Almost always brings needed materials but sometimes needs to settle down and get to work

Often forgets needed materials or is rarely ready to get to work.

 

Conclusion

At the end of the week students will complete a three paged worksheet answering followung up questions about the book and what they overall learned from the activity. The link to view the worksheets are posted on the credits page.

After students have completed the activity worksheets as a class students will watch a Youtube video displaying the book in a read along. Link is posted below and on the credits page.

                                                                           Video Link:

                                                                                    [video:http://youtu.be/mGNbbgwh8Bs]

Credits

                                                      A list of helpful websites:

Teacher Page

[img_assist|nid=14236|title=g6|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=349|height=418]Teacher`s Comments about the Book:

I thought that this book was so creative and cute. I really liked this book because the message was that regardless of gender the right candidate won. I liked that Grace was trying to break barriers at her school and make a difference even though other classmates laughed at her. Through the book you saw that she was addressing issues in the school and volunteering. Really trying to help her fellow students. While Thomas Cobb felt that he was going to win because he was boy. Thomas really didn’t put in the work to be the school President. I think the book presents a life lesson in its self that you have to put the work in for something that you want. I thought Grace question was so simple but allowed the reader to think about it. Why haven`t our country had a women President yet?