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Brave Irene
Reading Guide
Guide
created by Sue Ornstein, June 2000
Weather
Journal
Irene braves the elements on a stormy winter night. Have students
create a list of the different types of weather that occur during each
season. Then design a class weather journal and have students take turns
recording the daily weather and its impact on the students’ activities
(e.g., “Today it is sleeting. It is too wet, cold, and slippery for us
to play outside at recess”).
Sew
what?
Irene’s mother is a talented dressmaker. Give students their own
opportunity to “sew” clothing by providing them with two pieces of
felt, a large plastic needle, yarn, and a hole-puncher. With a felt-tip
pen, students should outline the design of the garment on a single piece
of felt. Then they should align the two pieces of felt, cut out the
garment, punch holes around the perimeter, and use yarn to sew the garment
together. They can then decorate it by gluing on ribbon, buttons, small
fabric scraps, or sequins. (Note: A glue gun is most effective, but its
use requires adult supervision.) A variation of this activity is to create
stuffed animals from two pieces of felt, filling the middle with cotton.
I Did
It!
Ask students to recall an experience during which they were confronted
with overwhelming circumstances but, like Irene, managed to persevere.
What motivated them? How did they feel during the incident? How did they
feel after it had ended? Discuss the traits that helped Irene succeed,
including bravery, persistence, resourcefulness, and commitment. Students
can then create badges or “medals of courage” for their classmates.
Pet
Names
Irene’s mother has endearing pet names for her -- “dumpling,”
“cupcake,” and “pudding.” Have students write about what pet
names are used in their family, and by whom. Provide an opportunity for
sharing, as students will enjoy learning about their classmates’ family
terms of endearment.
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