Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean

Title: Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean

Author: Sarah S. Taylor and Ben Towle

Publisher: Hyberion Book

Copyright: 2010

Reading Level: Lexile 1080

Summary:



This short graphic novel is about Amelia Earhart and her experience as she achieve what other people said it was impossible. The novel begins in 1928, with Amelia trying to be the first woman to flight a plane across the Atlantic Ocean. Grace, a courageous girl trying to become a journalist, interviews Amelia and gets the motivation and inspiration needed to be successful. The novel takes a turn with Amelia’s mysterious disappearance. Fortunately, Grace used that as an excuse to break down the barriers that prevented her from becoming a reported.

Suggested Delivery:
Reading groups but students should read independently. Afterwards, have a small group discussion.

Electronic Resources:

1. Kids Konnect- This is Amelia Earhart's website, for students to utilize after the reading. It is easy to navigate and read for struggling readers. The website contains visuals, importnat quick facts and other helpful links.

2. Comic Strip- Students can use this website after their reading to create their own graphic novel. It is an easy to use tool that students can use to creat comic strips.

3. Amelia Earhart- Original Amelia Earhart website that teachers and students can use before the reading. They can learn more about Amelia by watching a short video clip.

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Vocabulary- Ambition, Circumnavigate, Endeavors, Apprehensive, Triumphant, Voyage

2. Reading Strategies-

Before Reading: Before students began their independent reading, explain the text structure of the novel. The graphic novel is written in a comic strip structure and for some students it will be frustrating to read it. Afterwards, ask students what they know about Amelia Earhart and write the facts on the white board.

During Reading: As students read the novel, have them do the split-page note taking activity for the vocabulary. They are going to put the word on the left hand side and the definition of the word on the right. Their definition will come from context clues and visuals. Afterwards, give students post-it notes so they can identify facts about Amelia. Facts include what she did, said, who she was and her importance in the story.

After Reading: After the reading, have a small group discussion about the novel. The discussion should be about the facts students identified, their definitions of the words, and their overall opinion of the book.

3. Writing Prompt- As a journal entry, have students write responses to the following questions:

1. Why is it important to have a role model?

2. Who do you consider to be a role model? Why?

3. Why was Amelia so important?

4. Would you consider her a role model?