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| Diary of a Wimpy Kid By: Jeff Kinney Genre: Fiction Ages: 11-13 |
Theme:
Middle school can be a tough place for students. Students not only have to worry about academics, but fitting in socially as well.
About the author:
Jeff Kinney knew he wanted to be a cartoonist since college. While in college he created a comic strip called "Igdoof." This comic strip was not too successful so in 1998 he started writing down ideas for Diary of a Wimpy Kid. After six years, he published it. It is now read by more than 70,000 kids a day! In 2006 he signed a deal to turn it into a series.
Pre-reading activity:
What is a diary? Discuss with students what a diary is and what it is used for. As a class, come up with an example diary entry about their typical day at school.
Post-reading activity:
Students will keep a week long diary of their daily events in and outside of school They also draw comics and illustrations to go along with their entries. Students share their diaries after the week has passed.
Source used:
http://www.wimpykid.com/
I used this book while I was student teaching in a 4th grade classroom. I actually used it as one of the literature circle choices, and students were very eager to choose this particular book because of its popularity right now. I didn't have my students do it, but I think a diary is a wonderful project for students to work on throughout the school year. Maybe this book could be a beginning of the year books and students write in their diary or "journal" every day or week all year long.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was student teaching in 6th grade, I saw some of the boys reading this series. Since many girls have books for them about just fitting in and friends, boys need their own books too, and this is just the series for them. This series is very funny and boys will definitely relate to it. I think that having a "journal" would be great for them to write about the things they are thinking, especially since boys don't usually talk about things going on or problems they're having very easily.
ReplyDeleteCourtney- I agree! It would be great to have the students start the project in the beginning of the year! They could then use it as a way of measuring their growth throughout the school year!
ReplyDeleteKaylee- I never thought about how girls tend to have more series geared towards them! Boys at that age do need something to relate to!
ReplyDeleteThis book has been so popular! I love that this book makes students want to read and not sit infront of the XBox! I love the idea of having students keep a diary. I think that most kids today are so involved with technology they wouldn't think of keeping a diary. I think that it is a great long-term writing activity for students. Since children are so into technology, they could even keep a private blog as a diary. I have always wanted to read this book!
ReplyDeleteAlyse- You have to read it! I have read them all as well as seen the movies! They really are very cute and fun for adults who work with children! I love the idea of using a blog as a way to incorporate technology!
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