My Great Big Book Blog: Number The Stars

Written by Lois Lowry

Published by Mass Market Paperback

Reading level: ages 9-11, grades 4-6, Lexile measure 670L, DRA 50

Suggested Delivery: read as a whole class

Genre: Historical fiction

Classic ~ Gripping ~ Historical ~ Courageous ~ Friendship

Summary:

As a ten-year old in the year 1943, young Annemarie and her best friend Ellen live their lives, going to school, dealing with food shortages, and the Nazis who march through the town. But soon, the Jews of Denmark are to be relocated. Annemarie and her family choose to hide Ellen and pretend that she is a part of their family. With pretending, comes a dangerous mission for Annemarie to make sure she saves Ellen's life.

Vocabulary to Know:

Resistance: secret group of people dedicated to interfering with the Nazi war effort

Swastika: Nazi symbol

Synagogue: Jewish house of worship

Typhus: deadly disease spread by ticks/fleas/lice

Rationed: to limit the amount of (electricity)

Imprinted:to leave a mark behind

Copenhagen: the capital of Denmark

Star of David: Jewish star

Suggested Lesson Ideas:

+Before Reading Activity: Word Sorts can be a great way to get students thinking about the book they'll be reading. For "Number the Stars", choose key vocabulary (some shown above) that relate to the book and have students categorize them. For example: Setting/City, Characters, Symbols. An activity like this will familiarize students with terms before they go and read about them, therefore allowing them to comprehend better.
+During Reading Activity: Fishbowl Discussion would be great for a book like "Number The Stars". Getting all of your students involved is the best way to go! A book like this one generates many questions and comments for students. With one small group centered in the room with the rest of the students surrounding them, it is a great way to hear discussions and have the students on the outside preparing question and comments for those students in the center. An activity like this one keeps students thinking critically about the text.
+After Reading Activity: Use Exit Slips in order to see just how well your students are understanding the reading. Below is a good format that could be used after reading 1+ chapter(s) each day. On the slip below, students can put their thoughts on paper based on the reading done during that day. As an informal assessment, you as the teacher can see who is understanding the book, and who may have some hidden questions that need to be answered. http://michaelmilillo.weebly.com/exit-slips.html
+Writing Activity: Look at the following questions that could be possible prompts for students to respond to as they go along reading the book.

1. What do Ellen and Annemarie resolve not to tell their mothers in Chapter 1?

2. Why does Mrs. Rosen tell the girls in Chapter 1 that it is safer to avoid the German soldiers?

3. How long does Mrs. Johansen tell Kirsti she will have to wait for a cupcake?

Have students respond to at least one question as part of their writing every time the book is read.

http://www.bookrags.com/lessonplan/number-the-stars/shortessay.html#gsc.tab=0