PART ONE
The Little House
Burton, V. L. (1942) The Little House. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company Realistic Fiction/Kindergarten-third grade.
Part Two
This was the first time reading this book, and I must say it made me feel a bit sad. This story makes you realize the real issues that are and have been happening all over the country. This story reminds me of the environmental issues that industrialization causes. I do think it is a great story to share with students to allow them to experience the different feelings or thoughts this story might cause. I don't feel like this story was made with a negative attitude towards industrialization, i think it was a great way to project different messages this story brings.
The Little House
Burton, V. L. (1942) The Little House. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company Realistic Fiction/Kindergarten-third grade.
PART TWO
My personal thought about this story is sad. This was the first time I read this story, and I was really sad as I kept flipping the page. The more I read the sadder the story got to me. The illustrations helped convey a message on every page and I felt that. I feel like reading it would have had a different effect on me than it did now as an adult. As a child one does not really think about the results of industrialization on the environment, as one does as an adult. I am not surprised this book won a Caldecott award, as I mentioned the illustrations really conveyed a mood and tone to the story. As the house got happier the colors got brighter, and I really felt that. Since I personally love the countryside, I really felt the story Viewpoints. I can see why so many criticized this book for its implicit anti-urban message, but i do not personally agree the story was written with that intention.
PART THREE
The plot emphasizes that as time changes so does people, places, and things. Over time the world around the little house changes. Roads, buildings, begin to surround the little house turning the countryside into a busy city. The more time passes the louder and busier the town gets; the little house begins to miss the little things that the countryside provided and soon feels lonely and sad. The difference between the countryside and the city is the setting of this story. The theme of the story tells the beauty of nature vs. the challenges of urban growth. The style of this book is simple yet has very detailed illustrations the show the change over time of the story. The point of view of this story is from a third person point of view that knows what the little house is feeling as things are changing so rapidly. It allows readers to sympathize with the little house.
PART FOUR
This is a perfect book to read to my future students and allow them to share their thoughts on it. I am curious to see how they will perceive the story, since it really made me emotional.
Common core standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
Lesson Objective:
After reading The Little House, students will be able to recognize how changes in the environment affect the community, by independently reflecting on the story and relating it to their own lives, including at least one personal example that shows a thoughtful connection.
Discussion questions:
How would you feel if your neighborhood changed rapidly over time? What are some feelings or thoughts you would have?
What changes happened around the little house that made her start reminiscing about the countryside?
What do you think was the author's message he wanted all readers to know?
Lesson Activity:
Schools, neighborhoods, cars, clothes, shoes, styles, etc. are changing over time. Students will be able to compare and contrast the changes of the story with the changes they can observe in their day-to-day life using samples and illustrations to create a timeline.
Additional resources:
