Literature Unit based on The Donkey Cart - Submitted by Wende
K-2nd
Library List:
The
Donkey Cart by Clyde Robert Bulla
The
Usborne Book of Farm Animals by Felicity Everett
General info and ideas -
-Look for clues as to when the story took place (stove on pg. 33, cars
on pg. 88, style of dress on pg. 6)
-Take a tour of a farm, or go to a petting zoo.
-Vocabulary Words - preserves, manger, hermit, windrows
- Sing the songs at the beginning of each chapter, and learn to play
them if so inclined.
- Read The Usborne Book of Farm Animals by Felicity Everett
Chapter 1 - Have a Christmas in summer party. Give children
little presents wrapped in Christmas paper, wear hats and mittens, and
sing a Christmas carol. Discuss seasons, and ask children what season
and/or month Christmas is really in.
- Discuss familial relations i.e.: mother, father, aunt, uncle, sister,
and brother. Use words for spelling list or handwriting practice.
- Read about donkeys on page 24 of The Usborne Book of Farm Animals
by Felicity Everett
- Play the “Pack your Bags” memory game
Chapter 2 - Talk about life on the farm
- Make farm
mini-book
- Talk about time – how time goes quickly when you are busy.
Chapter 3 - Discuss what children should do if they get lost.
- Go for a walk and pick and identify wildflowers.
- Discuss why the cave dwelling man’s eyes blinked when he went
into the light. Experiment by going into a dark room for a bit and then
turn on light. What happens to your eyes?
- Character Trait: discuss kindness- think of something you can do for
somebody.
- Make biscuits and serve with butter and honey
- Make a pinecone doll.
Chapter 4 - Make a chocolate cake, having the children doing
the sifting and measuring.
- Discuss the lifecycle of a bird. Ask why the goose would want to hide
her eggs. Read about geese on page 20 of The Usborne Book of Farm
Animals by Felicity Everett.
Chapter 5 - Find some hay to look at and smell. Go on a hayride,
if possible.
- Discuss the horse drawn farm implements compared to the tractors used
today.
- Read about horses on page 22 of The Usborne Book of Farm Animals
by Felicity Everett
- Discuss and look at pictures of clouds. How can you tell if it is
going to rain?
- Character Trait: discuss helpfulness, and the benefit of working together
to reach a goal.
Chapter 6 - Read about pigs on page 12 of The Usborne Book
of Farm Animals by Felicity Everett
- Color in farm
animal pictures
- Discuss county fairs, and put on your own. Make up prize ribbons.
Have children “train” real or stuffed animals to do tricks.
Have a sack race, pie-eating contest, or show off your biggest zucchinis
or pumpkins to win prizes.
Chapter 7 - Discuss being responsible for animals, keeping
them safe and fed.
- Play cowboy, riding on a stick horse and pretending to round up the
baby calf.
- Read about cows and calves on page 8 of The Usborne Book of Farm
Animals by Felicity Everett
- Play w/ Lincoln Logs ranch w/ cowboys and farm animals.
Chapter 8 - Discuss the job of a veterinarian. Visit a vet’s
office if possible.
- Talk about why the donkey was sick (from eating too much of something
that was bad for him) and ask children if they remember a time they
got sick from eating too much.
- Discuss natural remedies for tummy aches, and if possible, make some
tea from fresh ginger root, or taste some ginger ale.
Chapter 9 - Plan a picnic to celebrate the end of a great summer.