Book+Reviews

==Children's Book Review 

Children’s Trade Book Review Book information:  Title: // John, Paul, George & Ben //  Author and Illustrator: Lane Smith  Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children  Copyright Date: 2006  What is it about?  This text focuses on teaching about the Founding Fathers and how each of their personalities helped contribute to America starting the Revolutionary War. It teaches about how the Founding Fathers came together to sign the Declaration of Independence in order to be an independent country, separate from European rule and more specifically, the rule of King George III.  What are the related subject areas, content concepts or vocabulary found in the book?  The main focus of this text is American History and how the United States of America was founded. The Declaration of Independence is also discussed and covered in this picture storybook. Students will learn about who was responsible for writing this document, as well as why it was written. The vocabulary terms found in this text are associated with American values and the Declaration of Independence. The following vocabulary terms are found throughout the text: freedom, liberty, pursuit, happiness, and independent.  What NCSS themes and Pennsylvania social studies standards does the text cover? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">PA Standards: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> ** 8.3.3.A **: Identify and describe the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups in United States history. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> ** 8.3.3.B **: Identify and describe historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to United States history. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">NCSS Themes: 1) Time, Continuity, and Change 2) Power, Authority, and Governance and <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">3) Civic Ideals and Practice  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">   <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Which grade level is it appropriate for?   <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> This text would be most appropriate for grades 3-5. The concepts introduced and focused upon in the text are more advanced; therefore, any students below 3rd grade may not grasp the concepts as well as older students. Also, these are the grades that often teach about American History, making this the perfect book for instruction when teaching about this topic.   <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">   <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">What is your suggested method to use this book in the classroom? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> I would use this book during whole group reading as a read-aloud. It would introduce students to how the Declaration of Independence was written and why. It talks about the individuals who came together to write it as well. Sections of the text could also be used in separate lessons. For example, the second to last page talks about what each of the Founding Fathers was most well-known for. Also, when teaching about presidents, the text can be used to introduce George Washington.