After Ever After

Title: After Ever After

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright: 2010

Read Level: Lexile 820

Summary:

Jeffrey Alper was diagnosed with cancer when he was just four years old. Jeff started his chemotherapy treatment but the after math caused him attention and learning challenges. Tad, Jeff’s best friend, decides they can help each other graduate eighth-grade. Tad was going to help Jeff with his school work and Jeff was going to help Tad with his physical therapy. Unfortunately, one of them does not make it to their graduation day.

Suggested Delivery:

Independent reading followed by think-pair-share.

Electronic Resources:

1- Jordan Sonnenblick- This is the author's webpage and it is a useful tool for students before the reading. As a good reader, it is important to find out who the author is and his/her style of writing. When you know more about the author, you comprehend the book better.

2- Captain Chemo- This website is a tool that students can use to better understand Cancer and Chemotherapy treatment with a game. They can utilze the website to learn morea about the topic in an engaging manner.

Teaching suggestions:

1- Vocabulary- Relapse, Treatment, Chemotherapy, Leukemia,  Interrogation, Marrow

2- Reading Strategies-

Before Reading: Have students look through the book. Ask them to write in their journals what they think the book will be about based on the front and back cover. Ask them to write down everything they know about Cancer, Friendship, and Family. Introduce new vocabulary and encourage students to keep a section in their journal with vocabulary words.

During Reading: As students read the book, they must write the vocabulary words down and have a definition based on context clues. They should also write down questions about the reading.

After Reading: Have students pair up and share their opinions, questions and vocabulary words. Together, students should come up with two questions, two opinions, and three vocabulary questions they have from the whole book. Once that is completed, have students write them down on the white board.

3- Writing Activity- Students should select two questions, two opinions and two vocabulary questions to answer in their journal. This will be their exit ticket and used as an assessment.