The Wolf in Children's Books: Part 2 of 2

Students will conduct research about wolves to determine if wolves are portrayed accurately in children's picture books.

A lesson plan for grade 3 Information Skills

By Vanessa Olson

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Learning outcomes

Students will gather information about wolves and compare it to information presented or inferred in children’s stories they read in Part 1.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 Minutes

Materials/resources

Nonfiction books about wolves, encyclopedias, and other print reference sources with information about wolves.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, as told by A. Wolf, by Jon Sciezka

Technology resources

Computers with Internet access.

Pre-activities

Complete Part 1.

Activities

1. In Part 1, students created a class chart of their impressions of wolves based on the information presented or inferred in the stories they read. Students use this chart to determine what kinds of information they need to find about wolves in order to make a judgment about the accuracy of their impressions.
2. Students use print and nonprint resources to look for information about wolves that will support or refute their impressions of wolves.Students will mark the individual items on the classroom chart with an “A” for accurate, “P” for partially accurate, or “I” for inaccurate as they discover the truth about wolves.
3. When the chart is complete, discuss the findings and make a list of the stories (from Part 1) in which wolves are portrayed accurately, partially accurately, and inaccurately.
4. Read to class The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, as told by A. Wolf, by Jon Sciezka. Using the information from their research, have students work in pairs or small groups to write a letter to the editor from A. Wolf telling how wolves have been misunderstood and telling the real truth about wolves.

Assessment

Completion of the classroom chart and a group and participation in closing discussion.

Letter to the Editor.

Supplemental information

These books have information about wolves and how literature and lore have affected attitudes about them:

• Gray Wolf Red Wolf by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
• Wolf by Maureen Greeley

Related websites

Wolf pictures
http://staff.washington.edu/timk/wildlife/mammal/wolf/wolf01.html

Canadian Wildlife Services
http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hww-fap/wolf/wolf.html

Timberwolf Kids’ Page
http://www.timberwolfinformation.org/kidsonly/kidsonly.htm

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