Dandelions-+Reinforcing+Activity


 * Objective:** Students will be able to describe life on the prairie using a mock-journal entry from the point of view of Papa, Mama, Zoe, or Rebecca.


 * Materials:**

- Copy of //Dandelions// //-// Notebook Paper - Pen/Pencils


 * Procedures:**

1. Students should be asked to reflect on the story and discuss in small groups:
 * How did the story make you feel?
 * Can you relate to any of the characters? If so who, and how so?

2. After about 10 minutes of brief discussion, the teacher should go through the book again, this time only showing the pictures to students so that they can see what the author visualized as the setting of this story.

3. Next, the teacher should ask students to pretend as though they are one of the characters from the story, either Papa, Mama, Zoe, or Rebecca. Students should record in their journals a response to one of the following prompts: 4. When they are finished writing, students should create a drawing, collage, or other media that goes along with their journal entry.
 * You and your family are traveling to a new place, to begin a new life in the time period that Dandelions takes place. Describe how you are feeling and the things that you see along the way. What is different about this new place?
 * Imagine that a few months have passed since you and your family settled the new land. Describe your feelings and your surroundings. Have things gotten better or worse?
 * Throughout this entry, write about any other aspects of your life: what you eat, what you wear, what you do for fun, where you go to school, friends, et cetra.
 * Students should provide vivid detail for the prompt they choose

5. Once the assignment is completed, students should be asked to read a few lines of their journal entry and share their drawing with the entire class.