Read alouds can be used to teach and integrate social studies in the classroom. Eve Bunting's book, The Wall, makes a great mentor text for Memorial Day. Student will learn about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We love how this story is told through a child's point of view making it engaging for students. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The Diaz Family is getting ready to celebrate the Day of the Dead. Angelito is feeling nervous because it is his first time visiting the Land of the Living. All morning, Angelito’s sister has been telling him how scary the Living are with their bulging eyes and long red tongues!
When Angelito steps out of the elevator and arrives in the Land of the Living, he realizes he has been separated from his family. He finds a friendly looking boy about his age and the two become friends. They spend the afternoon coming up with a plan to protect themselves from the enemies, the people Angelito thinks are the living. However, when Pablo suggests the boys take off their masks, Angelito realizes he is one of the living! Both boys are surprised and Angelito runs away.
When Angelito reunites with his family, he reflects on all the fun he had with Pablo that afternoon. Thankfully, the two are able to connect and Pablo even makes sure to show Angelito’s sister how scary the living can be!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
The Dead Family Diaz lends itself to teaching so many different skills in addition to a lesson on Memorial Day. Check out just some of the skills our book companion covers:
- Help students to analyze what the cause and effect of different events that take place in the story.
- Practice sequencing the important events from the book.
- Integrate letter writing by having students write letters to from the characters point of view.
- Engage students in descriptive writing activities.
- Teach students about synonyms and antonyms.
- Practice identifying and using multiple meaning words.
- Lead a class discussion friendship and accepting differences.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
If you are looking for a resource to teach The Dead Family Diaz in your classroom, you will want our Starts With a Story Book Companion. Our goal with these book companions is to help make planning read alouds easier for teachers!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
- The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis
- Cobweb Christmas by
Shirley Climo
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
