Book 1: Miss. Nelson Has A Field Day by Harry Allard
Book Level: Grades Kindergarten-3rd Grade
Standards: Guided Reading Level: L
DRA Level: 20-24
Standards: 1.6- The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of the fictional texts.
Summary Response:
There is a substitute teacher named Miss. Swamp who returns back to the school to help coach
the football team called the Smedley Tomatoes. The team is not very successful before she ar-
rived to coach the team. They all want nothing more to win a game for their school. They just
know that Miss. Swamp was a mean substitute. But with her mean attitude, the students are
wondering if they can win with her as the new head coach.
Personal Response:
Miss. Nelson books always were my favorite book to read when I was in school. I believe that
other children will love this book also. This was a amazing book to me growing up, because
I’m sure as everyone that they had a teacher that they didn’t get along with while in school. On
a personal note, I know the feelings of not caring for a teacher at first because you think they
are mean, I Understand but sometimes these teachers are not giving the proper chance to show
how amazing they can be to the students.
Pedagogical Response: This book is appropriate for children in kindergarten to third grade. It
has a universal appeal to the children because the students thought she was a mean substitute
teacher, but she ended up helping the school secure their first win on the field. I believe that
talking about the characters while reading the book would be excellent for the students be-
cause this will help them understand the book. The characters in this story that are most likely
able to be identified would be Miss. Nelson and Miss. Swamp. These two characters are the
same person so this will make the children think harder while reading.
Explanation and Sample: This assignment is a comprehension check after finishing reading
Miss. Nelson has a field day. This will help the students develop skills of comprehension and
summarizing the story.
Book 2: Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Book Level: 2nd- 5th Grade
DRA Level: 34-38
Guided Reading Level- P-Q
Standards: 1.7- use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, settings, and
events.
Summary Response:
Two imaginative pranksters named George and Harold were able to hypnotize their principal
into thinking he is a enthusiastic, incredibly dim witted superhero named Captain Underpants.
They wanted to change him because he was always cruel, and mean Mr. Krupp. Whenever he
turns back into Captain Underpants he is nicer and willing to help people. The moral of this
story is rather than laughing at people, it’s best to laugh with someone and yourself to have a
happier life.
Word Count: 79
Personal Response:
I loved these books growing up and how Harold and George were able to hypnotize Mr. Krupp
into doing their deeds. His infamous line is something that my son says randomly at times af-
ter I read him this story, which is TRA-La-Laaaaa! This story keeps children intrigued and
wanting to hear more. Harold and George thought they would be able to control Captain Un-
derpants but he was able to switch it around on the two mischievous boys into behaving well
in school and doing chores at the school so he won’t let the football team know that they
pranked the team. It’s easy to read and has a good guy and bad guy that will have you rotting
for good.
Word Count: 120
Pedagogical Response:
This book is a great book for children in Second to Fifth Grade. It has a universal appeal.
Children loves books with a sense of adventure in it no this is a great book for children who
have a great imagination. The students can learn about being nice to people while in school.
The important thing to gain from this book selection is that most people can help each other
and it’s always good to be nice to everyone. The characters in this story are Harold and
George ( the students) and Mr. Krupp(Captain Underpants ).
Word Count:95
Book 3: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Book Level: Grades: 3rd-7th Grade
DRA Level-40-50
Standards: 1.7-The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts.
C) ask and answer questions using text for support
Summary Response:
It’s a new school year and Greg Heffley finds himself thrown in eight grade in middle school,
where smaller children share the school with children who are bigger, meaner than them. The
world of growing up before you are reading are uniquely revealed through a Gregs’s words
and drawings that he records in his diary. As the school year proceeds, Greg always finds him-
self thrown into a series of unusual situations. He and his best friend Rowley must confront
bullies, survives the final year. Greg wants to become popular before high school but contin-
ues to fail at his plans throughout the book.
Personal Response:
This book is something most children go through while in school. This book was something I
loved to read. I believe that a lot of children will enjoy this books just based on the things that
goes on in middle school and it’s relatable to them. I know how it feels to be bullied or misun-
derstood while in school, I was skinny and had long legs so I always wanted to find a way to
fit in and I finally realized that it’s okay to de different and to just live your life.
Pedagogical Response:
This book will be appropriate for children from 3rd to 7th grade. It does have a universal ap-
peal because the children can understand this story and relate a lot to this book. It’s reliable
because it shows the ups and down of students that are in middle school. I think talking about
the characters after reading the book would be great because it will help the children under-
stand this book. The Characters in this book are Greg, Rowley, and Greg’s older brother Rod-
erick, and younger brother Manny.
Explanation and Sample: This activity will help the children get a true understanding of the
book. Before they began reading the story, I would want the students to look at the cover of
the book and write what they think and once that is complete to have them look at the first
page and make assumptions based on that page. When the book is complete the students will
have a great understanding of this story.
