Thematic Literature Unit

Book: Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

Theme: Gardens
This book connects to the theme because
Karlie Hoehn it tells a story of a grandpa who wished
to study Horticulture (the practice of
gardening) but was drafted into a world
war. He met his wife, and they lived a
good life. The grandpa went on to plant a
spectacular garden that portrayed his
life story, and the garden is the story
being told to his great-grandson
throughout the book of this grandpa and
his garden of stories. The book ends with
grandpa being forgetful, but his garden
will never forget.

Comprehension Why is the book good for teaching

The ability to understand and interpret
what you read or had read to you. Being
able to answer questions, give a
summary, and understand plot,
characters, and setting.
Who will lead the center and why?
The center will be led by the teacher
and completed independently. They will
share their drawing together at the
end.
comprehension?
This book is good for teaching
comprehension because it has many
settings for students to learn about,
each page has its own story, the students
will learn new vocabulary that is
characteristic of pre-World War II, and
the concept is simple enough for young
students to understand and draw
conclusions from.

Before the center During the center After the

Before the center we center
will have been learning The students will be split up
about gardens over into small groups and they will After the
the week and we will be given two worksheets. The center, as
listen to the story first one is a comprehension previously
being read aloud on stated, the
YouTube questionnaire of sorts with students will be
(https://youtu.be/2AawZoM questions that I will read out asked to share
FNKc) because the loud for the students and then
background music is their sketches
ambient and they will answer them based on in their small
afterward, we will our discussion about plot, groups and then
discuss the plot, characters, and setting . The we can hang
characters, and second worksheet is for them them up around
setting of the book the room for
and how it relates to to do a Sketch-to-Stretch, I
will read the prompt to them the remainder
gardens. of the week.
and they will be given time to
sketch.
Name:
Color the circle for the answer
1. Grandpa lived where?
○ In the city
○ On a farm
○ By the ocean
2. In fourth grade Grandpa got sick with what?
○ Polio
○ The flu
○ Chicken Pox
3. Where did grandpa meet his wife?
○ At work
○ A Café
○ The pool
4. What does Grandpa forget?
○ His favorite hat
○ His pet dog
○ His camera
Name:
Sketch what the story Grandpa Green meant to you. You
can include words if that helps you.

What did this book make me feel?

What did this book remind me of?
What was my favorite part of the book?
What did my five senses feel when I read this book?