> On 9/20/07, Bill IVEY <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Hi! > > > > So my Humanities 7 class wants their first unit to be, "Who is the oldest > > person in the world?" They still need to refine exactly where they are > > going with this, but I think they see several possible directions. One > > approach would be: Who is thought to be the first human, how was that > > decided, what do we know about the first human, and how do we know that? > > Another approach would be looking more at longevity and being elderly. > > > > I thought of "Tuesdays With Morrie" as one possible group novel. Do you > > all have any other ideas, especially for the pre-history/anthropological > > approach? > > > > Thanks! > > > > Take care, > > Bill >
Bill & all, Sorry to be so behind the times. I read the lit digest when it arrives, but unfortunately, I don't always have time to respond. One book that immediately springs to mind is one that I teach with my 7th grade special ed students...Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. I use it because the majority of my 7th graders are 2-3 years behind in reading level, it is short and the language and themes are so universal. A synopsis for those who haven't read it lately...a family found the fountain of youth in a wood, they drank from it and are perpetually the age they were when they drank from the fountain. They must split up to avoid being detected and meet again at the spring every 10 years. This trip a young girl discovers them and their secret. The moral dilemmas and personal choices are great conversation and writing startes for the kids I work with. I feel like it fits into the "oldest person" theme because what if the story were true? :) I am able to teach an awful lot to a group of reluctant readers with this book and wanted to share the idea with all of you and Bill. Thanks for sharing all your good ideas, I enjoy them! Meri _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
