Not Just a Gingerbread story

It's that time of year in elementary schools where students are learning about that yummy cookie - Gingerbread!  There are so many fun activities to do with all the different versions of The Gingerbread Man.  I just have to add one more!  As a librarian, I'm always looking for books that help students not only enjoy a good story, but also learn how to find other good stories.  So, The Library Gingerbread Man by Dotti Enderle is a perfect fit.  During this story the Gingerbread Man pops out of a library book and is chased by all kinds of characters, creatures and such from the nonfiction section of the library.  To follow up, I had students explore the nonfiction section and choose a new character for the book.  What fun finding their favorite nonfiction books and justifying why they think their character should make it into the book.  To find out more about this lesson and get the printables for the lesson check out the link below.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Gingerbread-and-Dewey-in-the-Library-1009413

Strega Nona and 2nd graders

Recently I had fun with a Tomie dePaola favorite, Strega Nona's Harvest.  For a second grade lesson I integrated comparing characters, character traits, providing text evidence and learning a little about the author.  My lesson sequence was as follows:
1.  First we went to a website to learn a bit about Tomie dePaola: www.readingrockets.com.  They have great author interviews.
2.  Next I explained their purpose in reading this book; identifying character traits and giving text evidence.  This was not the 2nd graders first time to show text evidence or learn about character traits, but they still need guidance.  I used a whole-brain method to define character traits...
        Character Traits: Its' who the character is on the inside. (point to your heart).  You can tell by what the character does (do arm and feet fake walking motion) or says (use one hand to make talking motion near your mouth).  The students copy your motions while you say the definition.
3.  Then I show them this Venn Diagram and I tell them the character traits for Strega Nona, Big Anthony and both.  Their job after the story will be to give text evidence of what the character says and does to show these traits.
4.  During reading I stop and point out text evidence.  By the end of the story they are getting quite good and giving the evidence.
5.  After reading, each pair shares a Venn diagram to write just one text evidence for each part.  There is way more than one.  Guide partners that are not giving strong text evidence.