Descriptions Grade Five
The following books are included in the Grade Five AnimalTales package.
How Smudge Came
Nan Gregory
How Smudge Came tells the story of a woman who finds a stray dog that she takes to her group home. Not being allowed dogs in her home, Cindy must keep Smudge a secret, which means taking him with her to a hospice where she works as a cleaner. A bond between Cindy and Smudge quickly forms, but when her secret is revealed, Smudge is quickly whisked away to a SPCA. Devastated, Cindy tries to get Smudge back, only to discover he has already been adopted. Students have the opportunity to take the perspective of Cindy and relate to her feelings. Even though there are many differences among people, there are still many similarities that we share, including, for many, a love of animals.
Students will:
- describe the qualities of a responsible pet owner
- discuss appropriate living situations for a pet
- research different ways that animals can help people
Always Blue for Chicu
Karen Dugan
Always Blue for Chicu tells the story of a wild parrot that is captured by smugglers and is taken to sea by a kind sailor. When the sailor has to return to his ship, he must give Chicu up. Chicu’s life is then spent with a variety of owners who do not know much about providing adequate care for parrots. Students will learn the complex needs of a parrot and the importance of doing research to be as prepared as possible before getting a pet. Making an effort to plan ahead and prepare by doing research is a skill that students can apply to many aspects of their life.
Students will:
- identify reasons why prospective pet owners should research the needs of a pet
- determine the benefits and challenges of owning a pet
- compare the needs of different pets
- discuss animals in captivity
The Girl and the Wolf
Katherena Vermette
The Girl and the Wolf tells the story of a girl who wanders away from her mother while picking berries in the woods. When she realizes that she went too far and cannot find her mother, she begins to panic until a calm wolf appears. Through a series of questions from the wolf, the girl realizes that she has the knowledge and skill to find her way back to her mother. When the girl ultimately finds her way back, the wolf disappears. Students may identify with the situation the girl found herself in, needing to solve a problem all on their own. Remembering to draw upon knowledge and past experiences in challenging situations can help students find solutions.
Students will:
- identify examples of animals that have cultural significance
- research cultural symbolism of animals
- recognize appropriate human interactions with wildlife
- identify examples of negative stereotypes
Norman, Speak!
Caroline Adderson
Norman, Speak! is a story about a boy and his family who adopt a dog named Norman from their local animal shelter. After bringing Norman home and trying to teach him cues, they discover that Norman doesn’t respond to them, or even to his own name. One day, while playing at the park with another dog, Norman’s family learns that Norman has been confused because he doesn’t understand English – he actually “speaks” Chinese! Determined to understand and communicate with Norman, the family enrolls in a Chinese language class.
Students will:
- explore different ways people and animals can communicate
- discuss how labelling animals and people can have negative impacts
- practise considering another’s perspective to build empathy
- discuss strategies to overcome challenges
