Sky
Boys
Author:
Deborah Hopkins
Illustrator:
James E. Ransome
Copyright
2006
Historical - Groundbreaking - Engineering - Progressive - Wonderstruck
Interest
Level: Grades 3 – 5
Reading
Level
Grade Level
Equivalent: 6.3
Lexile
Measure: AD950L
DRA: 40
Guided
Reading: Q
Delivery:
Whole Group
Summary:
An account
told through the eyes of a young boy and his struggling Pop, through the
depression ridden 1930 construction of the iconic empire state building. We are
shown depictions of hundreds of men hauling, constructing and piecing together
thousands of tons of steal, millions of bricks only stopping momentarily to eat
lunch in the clouds. When the building is complete and open to the public Pop
and his son travel to the top where the structure scrapes the sky to look out
over the city of Manhattan. From up there, standing on the highest constructed
building in the United States, Pop and son are inspired that even though times
are tough anything is possible.
Electronic
Resources:
(Show short
excerpt from..)
Vocabulary:
1. Derricks: a rotating crane.
2. Rivet: a metal pin for passing
through holes in two or more plates or pieces to hold them together.
3. Snares: to catch.
4. Masons: a person who works with stones
and bricks.
5. Hauling: to pull or draw with force.
6. Columns: a slender upright support. (a
pillar)
ELA
Teaching Suggestions:
Comprehension
Before
Reading:
After
introducing the book (title, author, date published), talk about how it was
published in 2006 for the 75th anniversary of the opening/completion
of the Empire State Building.
-Ask
students the question: So if this book was published for the 75th
anniversary in 2006, then what year was the building opened?
-Do out the
math on the board.
-Once
figuring out the date the Empire State Building was opened, give students
background on what was taking place in the early 1930’s. (Stock market crash,
lots of people where out of work, etc.) <- Build schema and context.
During:
While
reading aloud the story, go over unfamiliar vocabulary with the students
explain such unknown words.
Pause to
give students context and ask direct and inferential questions to make sure
students are comprehending the text.
Ex. Does
anyone know what “derricks” are?
Ex. Why do
you guys think there are long lines of men all trying to get a job as a
construction worker for the Empire State Building?
After
Reading/Writing Activity:
-Have students break into groups and create a front page of a newspaper during the time of the opening of the Empire State Building.
-Teacher may have to pre-teach elements of a newspaper.
1. Article
2. Title
3. Date/Cost
4. Columns
5. Quotes
-Each group member may take a particular story to be covered.
Ex.
Topic 1. The Empire State Building opening.
Topic 2. The Great Depression taking place.
Topic 3. The joblessness and places to help those in need. [Soup kitchens, food lines.]
Newspaper Guidelines
-Must have a title. Ex. New York Times
-Must have correct dates.
-Each group member must have an typed article.
To make easier for students.
-Have them print their articles, headlines etc. to be glued onto a large piece of paper later.
-Have students break into groups and create a front page of a newspaper during the time of the opening of the Empire State Building.
-Teacher may have to pre-teach elements of a newspaper.
1. Article
2. Title
3. Date/Cost
4. Columns
5. Quotes
-Each group member may take a particular story to be covered.
Ex.
Topic 1. The Empire State Building opening.
Topic 2. The Great Depression taking place.
Topic 3. The joblessness and places to help those in need. [Soup kitchens, food lines.]
Newspaper Guidelines
-Must have a title. Ex. New York Times
-Must have correct dates.
-Each group member must have an typed article.
To make easier for students.
-Have them print their articles, headlines etc. to be glued onto a large piece of paper later.
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