Poppy - AVI


 

 

 

http://www.avi-writer.com/ - Avi - Author

 

http://highmail.highlands.k12.fl.us/~polstoj/Poppy%20Vocabulary - Poppy Vocabulary

 

http://www.edhelper.com/books/PoppyWordWall.htm - Poppy Word Wall

 

 

http://webcontent.harpercollins.com/text/teachers_guides/pdf/0060000120.pdf - Poppy Background

 

Poppy

  1. Hold a discussion about bullies. As a class, brainstorm to list the characteristics of a bully. What does the book Poppy have to say about bullies?
  2. Invite students to write about something they have in common with Poppy. Have they ever been scared of someone like Mr. Ocax? Have they ever wanted to show their families something about themselves? Have they ever liked someone who their family didn’t understand? Then ask them to think about what part of their story they might want to share with other students online. (Remind them not to give anyone’s last name or personal information online.)

 

 

http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/mammals/pero-man.html - Deer Mouse 

 

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/animals/mice.php - Mouse Clip Art

 

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/animals/owls.php - Owl Clip Art

 

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000644.shtml  - Mice

 

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001418.shtml - Owl Pellets

 

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002401.shtml - Porcupine

 

 

An Environmental Lesson From “Poppy” By Avi

 

 

 

Classroom sessions/estimated time:  Reading the novel, Poppy will take approximately 3 weeks if you read 15 minutes daily.  Creating models of ecosystems will take 5 class periods.  Map activity will take 1 class period.

 

Grade Level:  5/6

 

Purpose:  The purpose of this lesson is to study the concept of an ecosystem and to learn about the physical characteristics typical of ecosystem environments.

 

National Geography Standards Addressed:

#1:  How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, 

       process, and report information from a spatial perspective. 

#8:  The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth’s surface.

#15:  How physical systems affect human systems.

 

Indiana Social Studies Academic Standards Addressed:

Grade 5:  5.3.5:  Map and describe the characteristics of climate regions of the United States.

               5.4.4:  Explain that in any particular environment some kinds of plants and animals

                          survive well.

 

Objectives:  

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to

  1. identify six ecosystems,
  2. describe the main differences and similarities between the six ecosystems,
  3. explain map essentials,
  4. identify the flora and fauna of an ecosystem,
  5. identify animals common to each ecosystem,
  6. explain the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through an ecosystem, and
  7. locate ecosystems throughout the United States.

 

Materials Required:

 

 

Procedure:

  1. Introduce the novel by passing out a copy of the map of DimwoodForest from Poppy. Have students study the map.  Ask several questions to check for understanding, thus reviewing map essentials.  For example, “If you are standing on Bannock Hill, in which direction would you travel to reach Gray House?”
  2. Next, begin reading Poppy.  On the blackboard or a flip chart, make a list of all the animals and plants mentioned in the first chapter.  Explain that each of the six ecosystems students will study will have certain animals and plants.
  3. In chapter 2, Lungwort explains that the family will have to move due to a food shortage.  Explain and discuss the flow of energy in a food chain.  Discuss the connection of the flow of energy in a food chain to the ecosystem and to humans.
  4. Continue to read the novel.  Explain that students will work cooperatively to create a model of an ecosystem (desert, deciduous forest, taiga, tundra, grassland, and tropical rain forest). Each model will include a map that shows where the ecosystem is located. The map will contain map essentials:  title, orientation (compass rose), date, author, legend and scale.  Each model will have the plants, animals, climate and landscape that pertain to that ecosystem.  In addition to the model, students will explain at least five food chains in their ecosystem.
  5. Locate areas of the United States that contain the six ecosystems studied.  Indicate those locations (rough boundaries) on a large map of the United States.  Discuss any patterns or relationships that the students may observe between the ecosystem locations.
  6. Invite other classes to view the models of the ecosystems and the U.S. ecosystem locations map.

 

Assessment:  

 

Adaptations/Extensions:

Resources:  

 

Vocabulary 

 

Chapter 1 - Mr. Ocax - Pg. 1 - 8

 

ebony (1)

vole (2)

appetizing (1) 

ponderosa (2)

swiveling (2)

talons (3)

savory (2)

mused (3)

 

Chapter 2 - Poppy Remembers - Pg. 9 - 15

 

ghastliness (9)

porcupines (11)

indignant (14)

protruding (10)

gruesome (11)

weasels (11)

vicious (13)

stoats (11)

ruffian (13)

 

Chapter 3 - Poppy Alone - Pg. 16 - 24

 

peller (17)

pistons (19)

impudent (22)

clacked (17)

plummeted (20)

fair (22)

crevice (18)

careening (21)

haven (18)

catapulted (21)

 

The Emergency Meeting - Pg. 25 - 35

 

lopsided (25)

revulsion (28)

wanly (26)

brethren (31)

delegation (28)

formality (28)

 

Chapter 5 - Leaving Gray House - Pg. 36 - 47

 

deputation (39)

obstructions (41)

joshing (43)