Saturday, May 05, 2012

The Underneath and Supplemental Free Activities!

My name is Carolyn Wilhelm and I am so glad to be a guest blogger for Ann Marie Smith's Innovative Connections blog today.  I write for my own K-2 blog, but I guest blog on other blogs, as well.  I have taught mostly primary classrooms, but have also taught grades 4 and 5 and loved teaching units about novels.  Guest posting gives me a chance to blog about a novel.

I recently read THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt, a book suggested for ages 10 and up.  This narrative deals with tough realities of life for some animals who take turns telling the story.  The harsh conditions of living in the bayou are revealed through wonderful writing which helps the reader feel empathy and concern, as the animals struggle with their living conditions.  At different points in the story a single animal could be freed from the cruelty, but instead tries to help the others.  

Interwoven with the story of the animals is a mysterious tale of a lamia (Grandmother Moccasin), based on the local folklore of the bayou.  The magic snake also has some conflicts and problems. The story is remarkable and has a satisfying ending. 

So, what is the underneath, for which the book is named?  It is the space beneath a house that is built above the ground.  The human character is a rough hermit back-woods type of character who has become very mean from his difficult life.  Gar-Face (because of his scars) mostly stays away from people.  He gets a dog, Ranger, which disappoints him so much on their first hunting trip, that he chains dog beneath the house and barely gives him enough food.  A calico cat about to have kittens finds the space, and together they make a little family.  The two kittens are Puck and Sabine, and all is well when they are too small to venture out into the open.  The dog and three cats make a perfect family until the kitten, Puck, breaks the rule and goes to the open, setting off a series of suspenseful events. Students who love complex stories about animals will not want to put this book down.  The way Kathi Appelt writes engages the reader to want to read until the story is resolved.  

The questions at the end of the book deal with anthropomorphism, lamia (half-serpent and half-human), promises made by characters in the novel kept and at what cost, music's big role in the book, the theme of loss, learning from mistakes, the role of the hummingbird, and true friendships demonstrated in the story. Teachers will find the set of questions very helpful for using this book as a novel study.

For the independent reader or small group, here is my free PDF (with an answer key) to accompany the book. 
Innovative Connections Carolyn Wilhelm Guest Blog FREE PDF
Thanks for reading, 
Carolyn

The Wise Owl Factory on Innovative Connections blog by Ann Marie Smith






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Thanks to Carolyn for guest blogging today! This is a fabulous, valuable post, and it's such a bonus for her to include this fantastic freebie! Teachers, you can download this free pdf instantly! No logging in anywhere! I encourage you to visit Carolyn's Wise Owl Factory Book a Day Blog! She's got UBER awesome posts on books with supplemental materials! Click on her blog button to check it out! Don't forget to download your free pdf docs to accompany THE UNDERNEATH!!

Have a beautiful day!
Ann Marie

9 comments:

  1. I have never heard of this book....but it sounds so interesting. I am definitely going to have to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion Carolyn!

    ~Stephanie
    Teaching in Room 6

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    1. Carolyn always posts the best books and supplemental handouts to go along with them!! :)

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  2. Thanks, Stephanie and Ann Marie! It was fun to read a big kids book for once! Carolyn

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    1. I will have to get the book now....your write up is very detailed and a good outcome is what I love when it comes to animals!!! THANKS bunches, Carolyn!

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  3. Carolyn, I've never heard of this book either, and can't wait to check it out. You are such a wonderful blogger and asset to the education community! Thanks for all you do and share, Heidi

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    1. Heidi---THANKS for checking it out and I hope Carolyn pops back in to see comments... :)

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  4. I haven't heard of this book yet either! I love finding out about new, awesome books! Thanks so much, Carolyn for sharing this great resource!

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  5. I love this book!!! I read it every year to my 3rd graders and they love it. I do some preteaching before I start it. My students love it as well!!! Beautifully written and it should have won the Newberry!!! Anyways thanks so much for the freebie!

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by! I know Carolyn will be thrilled!

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