Language in Education3503 Book Talk Activity Plan Sydney Milligan

Book Title: The Artist and Me

Author: Shane Peacock
Illustrator: Sophie Casson
Year: 2016
Grade Range: K-4

General Learner Outcome 1 (Grade 4): Students will

listen, speak, read, write, view, and represent to explore
thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.
1.1-Discover and Explore
1.2-Clarify and extend

Specific Learner Outcome (Clarify and extend 1.2): Clarify your understanding
by finding additional resources to help aid in confusion. Extend out to peers to gain
insight and form additional knowledge.

Objective: Students will learn the importance of relationships and the power of
bullying and treating others with less respect than they deserve can leave a huge
impact on an individual.

Summary:
The Artist and Me is about a boy who bullies and mocks an older gentleman
as a young child, and is now reflecting back on this terrible time in his life. This bully
mirrored the many people who tormented Vincent Van Gogh during his lifetime. The
little boys incentive to be a bully stemmed from the old man showing he was
different from others. The boy deep down senses that the old crazy man was truly
creating miraculous paintings to show people there are so many ways to see the
world. Later, when the boy is grown up, he visits an art gallery with his grandson
and realizes how terrible being a bully was; he realized he could have been creating
a dream for himself instead of trying to tear apart someone elses.

Description:
1. To introduce this book, I would invite my students to our reading corner in
the classroom. I would call the reading corner our comfy corner. I envision
that each student will have their own little piece of carpet that they choose at
the beginning of the year. Having their own piece of carpet, gives them a
sense of comfort and property, which can help aid in focus. I would make
sure everyone is comfortable and able to see the cover of the book, because
seeing a visual will help my students connect ideas to what they think the
story is about. I would prompt questions and ask, Who do you think the
characters in this book are? What do you think this book is about? etc. I
would guide their learning with question prompts to create a form of
visualization and brain storming techniques.
Language in Education3503 Book Talk Activity Plan Sydney Milligan

2. Next, I would read the book out loud to my class, and make
sure to show all of the illustrations and stop whenever
there was something that needed further explanation.
3. After reading the book, I will allow time for discussion. I
would then ask again questions for example Has your
opinion of the characters changed from what you thought
before you heard the book to now? What do you think the
topic of the storyline is? Can someone explain to the class
what the book is about? All of these questions create some
form of discussion and a beginning thought process that
allows students to begin to understand what the book is
about, and possibly think of possible assignment ideas that
may come their way in the near future.
4. Next, I would explain that each student must create a
character recipe card for both of the characters in the book.
The recipe cards are a way for me to assess that the student
was a) listening to myself read the book, and b) show
understanding what the difference is between the two
characters.
5. After each student has created a recipe card for both of
the characters in the book, they must come up with a
solution for the bully (the little boy), which will formulate a
solution for him and his actions. They must create 4 ideas
to help change the attitude of the little boy or 4 ideas on
how he could have communicated better in the book with the old man.

Assessment:
Students will be assessed through a formative manner with the recipe
character cards they each create. After the students have finished the recipe cards
for both of the characters, they will be assessed in a summative format on their
understanding of the message in the book, and assessed on their ability to create
alternative attitudes, solutions, and motivations to change how the characters act in
the book. As long as my students follow guidelines, show that they know what the
book is about, and create at least four alternatives to change the communication/
attitude, they will be graded well. The message I want to share with my students
with this activity is that there are many ways to prevent bullying, and there are
many other attitudes one can choose instead of acting in a negative manner. I want
each student to understand the cause and effect bullying has on an individual and
what can result from it.

Reflection:
I think this book would be beneficial in any classroom from k-4, but possibly
directed at a higher-level audience. The references to Vincent Van Gogh can be hard
to understand, but the message of the book is very important. The message of The
Artist and Me is to appreciate individuals for who they are without judging, as one
day you will realize you are the victim to all demons. It is important to recognize
Language in Education3503 Book Talk Activity Plan Sydney Milligan

that everyone has a purpose in life, and what ever that purpose may be, is for a
reason.
I believe reading this book to grade 4 students would be very constructive
and would leave an ever-lasting impression on each student. Making sure to point
out the message of the book and how applicable it is at their age is a big deal, and I
believe would make a huge difference. Even if the message is relayed to only a few
students, eventually the attitude will be spread among all, and truly, one person
changing their attitude can make a world of a difference. I believe the context of this
book is very relevant at their age and would be a creative way to discover untold
truths in the classroom. It would also comfort those who may have or are
experiencing being bullied, and reiterate they are not alone and there are many
solutions for those who are being affected by negative behavior. I believe talking
about these issues in the classroom at this age would create discussion and further
inquiry about possible solutions for the tough situations students are encountering.