The+Blessing+Cup+Reinforcing+Activity


 * Introduce the book, __The Blessing Cup__ by Patricia Polacco to the class.
 * Ask class to make some predictions as to what the book is about
 * Before reading the book, read the synopsis of the book
 * Questions to ask:
 * Who is going to be telling the story in this book?
 * Why would the author be writing a story about her telling a story?
 * Get at that the author is telling a story about herself
 * Read the book out loud to the class
 * Questions during the reading:
 * Who or what is a czar?
 * Was Ms. Polacco’s family rich?
 * Who was effected by the czar’s decision?
 * If you had to leave our home, what is one thing you would most definitely take with you?
 * Why did the family leave the china set for Uncle Genya?
 * o Questions for after the reading:
 * What are the different things the tea cup reminded the family and Ms. Polacco of? What is said over and over again when they use the cup?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why would the family say this over and over? Why wouldn’t they just drink some water?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">How did the doctor effect the family in this story? (might need to ask, “Did the family forget about Uncle Genya? How did they remember him?”)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do you think this story is real or make believe?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why do you think Patricia Polacco wrote this book?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pull out 3 biographies and split the class into 3 groups to read a book in their group. Have each group share what their book was about and one thing they feel like they learned from it. (Suggestions: __Africa is My Home__, __Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told__, or __Soar, Elinor__)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Questions for students when back together:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why do you think your authors shared these stories?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Did any of them get to where they were by themselves?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why would it be important to share these stories and what can we learn from them?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Did any of these books have the same exact story?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“These authors have important stories that teach us a lot, but you guys have incredible stories of your families and your ancestors that are very important as well!”
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Send students home with the intentions of having them collect “family history” about how their families got to where they are in now- did they grow up here, why stay, where are their grandparents from, why move, why are traditions or customs in your family, where did those traditions or customs come from, etc. Include how other have affected you or your individuals. (Additionally send home a newsletter and an electronic email so parents are aware)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Have students write their own story of their heritage in a book.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Have students share and read their books to either a first grade class, another second grade class, or each day have a different student share their story to the class.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Display the books in the room for students to read as they wish

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Other Social Studies Strands this book could be used for: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">-Geography <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">-History (about the Russian Jewish Immigration or history of the Czar) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">-Economics (Trade)

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tags:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Palacco
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Heritage
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Biography
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Traditions
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Family
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">History
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Customs
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Czar
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Generation
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Immigration