Written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Lane Smith
Copyright 2010
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Reading Level: ages 6-10, grades 3-5, Lexile measure 910L
Suggested Delivery: read aloud
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Reading Level: ages 6-10, grades 3-5, Lexile measure 910L
Suggested Delivery: read aloud
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Funny ~ Great Pictures ~ Lessons ~ Surprising ~ Irresistible
Summary:
When Lulu's parents refuse to allow Lulu to have a Brontosaurus as a pet, Lulu decides to head out on her own adventure in the deep, deep forest in search of her own pet Brontosaurus. On her search through the forest, Lulu encounters more than just a Brontosaurus. Finally, when Lulu does find a Brontosaurus, she finds out that as much as she wants him to be her pet, he does not want to be Lulu's pet. What is Lulu to do?
Vocabulary to Know:
-Brontosaurus: very large dinosaur with a long neck and tail
-Trudging: to walk slowly and heavily because you are tired
-Clomping: to walk loudly with heavy steps
-Ferocious: fierce or violent
-Pitiful: causing feelings of dislike or disgust
-Misunderstanding: failure to understand correctly
Suggested Lesson Ideas:
+Before Reading Activity: A fun and engaging activity that could be done before reading this book would be to have a Word Scavenger Hunt around the classroom. Simply place words around the room that relate to the book (some vocabulary listed above) and have the students locate them, and then come back as a whole group after to discuss how they could relate to the book.
+During Reading Activity: While reading this book, a helpful strategy to better comprehension would be to use Directed Reading. This strategy involves thinking in 3 parts: split book into three sections, then make predictions, look for evidence during reading to support or not support the predictions. Directed Reading allows students to think ahead and then find out why or why not their predictions took place.
+After Reading Activity: Popcorn Review can get students thinking on the spot about the book. Popcorn Review is when you have students "popping up" during the review process to state a fact or detail about the book. This is followed by other students popping up in a random fashion to add related information, another fact in a sequence, or a subsequent story event. You could arrange the desks in groups at the front of the room, and invite students to sit up front. Ask students to stand and state a fact or event. Then ask other students to pop up and elaborate on the previous fact/detail, or have them state an new one. Students who are participating should be held accountable for their responses. Accuracy should be checked, and they should correct their response if they are not on the right track, before moving on to the next student. After on group of students have all responded, move on to the next group of desks.
+Writing Activity: Lulu had many different characteristics that described her. Have students think back to Lulu and her personality and have them fill out a character web (shown below).
+During Reading Activity: While reading this book, a helpful strategy to better comprehension would be to use Directed Reading. This strategy involves thinking in 3 parts: split book into three sections, then make predictions, look for evidence during reading to support or not support the predictions. Directed Reading allows students to think ahead and then find out why or why not their predictions took place.
+After Reading Activity: Popcorn Review can get students thinking on the spot about the book. Popcorn Review is when you have students "popping up" during the review process to state a fact or detail about the book. This is followed by other students popping up in a random fashion to add related information, another fact in a sequence, or a subsequent story event. You could arrange the desks in groups at the front of the room, and invite students to sit up front. Ask students to stand and state a fact or event. Then ask other students to pop up and elaborate on the previous fact/detail, or have them state an new one. Students who are participating should be held accountable for their responses. Accuracy should be checked, and they should correct their response if they are not on the right track, before moving on to the next student. After on group of students have all responded, move on to the next group of desks.
+Writing Activity: Lulu had many different characteristics that described her. Have students think back to Lulu and her personality and have them fill out a character web (shown below).
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| Character Web |
For Further Knowledge and Exploration...
Are you interested in the Caldecott-winning illustrator? Check out his website!
Want to know more about the Brontosaurus and how it earned a new name?
