nieworld.com

Teachers

Students

Families

» Projects «

Email NIE

Prologue »
Chapter 1 »
Chapter 2 »
Chapter 3 »
Chapter 4 »
More »

Chapter 3
Woodrow´s Big Surprise

Dear Boys and Girls,

I am very excited to have a new little brother! And I´m fearful, too. It will be a big responsibility to teach a pup the things it has taken me so long to learn. One thing is for sure, I will help Wally learn to read the newspapers when he gets older. I want him to be able to talk about things that are happening in our world. I hope you enjoy today´s activities.

Your friend,
Woodrow

Fun Newspaper Activities

1. In this chapter, we learn that Woodrow hated long cars rides because they made him sick and he loved being able to spend time with his real mama. Look through The News-Journal and clip pictures of things that you love and hate. Compare your lists with friends and family. Discuss how they are alike and different.

2. Woodrow is really looking forward to having a younger brother. Check the comics in The News-Journal for examples of sisters and brothers interacting. Make a chart of how many times they were being helpful to each other and how many times they were not. Make a graph of your findings and then, with friends and family members, discuss how your family acts most of the time.

Woodrow´s Activities

1. Learn to use photos to understand people´s feelings. Feelings are called emotions too. Clip out your photos for your scrapbook.

2. Write as many words as you already know describing the feelings in the photos. (LA.A.1.2.3a)

3. Now go to a dictionary and look up meanings for the words you wrote. Write a full sentence for each word.

4. Share your words with members of the class, and see how many students can answer them from the newspaper article. We´re not sure which newspaper article you mean. (LA.A.1.2.3.a)

The Write Connection

1. Write a letter to Woodrow giving him advice now that he is about to have a little brother.

2. Draw a picture of Woodrow and Wally together. Imagine that they are talking to each other. Write down what each of them is saying.

Suggestions for Parents

1. At the end of today´s chapter, Woodrow thinks, “If I can be just a little like Barney, I will be a good teacher.” Re-read this section with your child.

2. Ask your child, “What makes a good teacher?”

3. With your child, make up a list of qualities all good teachers have.

4. Ask your child to predict what kind of a teacher Woodrow will be, explaining reasons for his predictions.

Barbara Shapley is a career educator and education writer. Woodrow and Wally, Too! is a fictionalized account about a real basset hound, who is smart and loving. Woodrow and Wally, Too! Copyright 2004. Contact Barbara Shapley at bashapley@comcast.net.

Copyright © 2010 NIE WORLD (www.nieworld.com). All content copyrighted and may not be republished without permission. The News-Journal has no control over and is not responsible for content on other Web sites. Privacy Policy.