Dear Teacher by Amy Husband

Summary of Dear Teacher: 

It is mid-August.  Michael, a student at Sunnybank Elementary School, has received a letter from his principal welcoming him to another school year and introducing his new teacher, Miss Brooks.  This note prompts Michael to begin a letter writing campaign to Miss Brooks, informing her of his summer exploits as a secret agent along with his dog Bruno. The duo jet-set around the world, from Mount Everest to Egypt to the Amazon River.  They encounter pirates, find treasure, and ride motorcycles.  In each letter, he warns Miss Brooks he may not be back in time to start school, but assures her that he is dreadfully unhappy about missing his class and home work—especially in math. On August 29, Michael receives a response from Miss Brooks, a wise and witty teacher.  She expresses her regret at his missing out on being soccer captain, the school trip to the zoo, and class swimming lessons.  The final note is a post card from Michael to his parents, hinting at his next adventure. 

Evaluation:

Dear Teacher (by Amy Husband) is a unique book.  It appears as a large “Top Secret” envelope that seals up.  All the letters and illustrations are viewed as you open up the book vertically (rather than the usual horizontal manner).  The letters are written in a variety of ways, such as typed on school letterhead, on a post card, and as a telegraph.  The majority of them, though, are in a handwriting font on notebook paper with quirky, child-like illustrations of Michael’s adventures.  The story (as told through the letters and pictures) is imaginative and entertaining.  I have seen my 10 year old son looking at the book every day since I brought it home!  While the story is positive and upbeat, the subtext reveals the fears and apprehensions that some students feel about school.  Children ages 7-10 will enjoy and benefit from reading Dear Teacher.

Teaching Opportunities:

• Language Arts—Teach (or review) the parts of a personal letter vs. a business letter; compare them to the letters in the book
• Geography—Locate on a map the places Michael visits
• Social Studies—Research the places Michael visits
• Literature—Analyze the characters;  discuss the difference between direct and indirect characterization;  brainstorm character qualities that describe Miss Brooks and Michael using their letters
• Persuasion—Evaluate how Miss Brooks indirectly assures and persuades Michael to come the first day of school; learn about types of persuasion and/or write a persuasive letter/paragraph

Best Dog Picture Books (Series) for Primary to Intermediate

I wanted to put the LaRue books in my Top 5 Dog Books (series).  This series by Mark Teague has some unique qualities though that deserves its own entry.  Also, since it is geared more from older students, I am including a few other dog series for that audience. 

Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School (ages 6-12).  While Ike LaRue is in obedience school, he sends letters to his owner, Mrs. LaRue.  Each letter has a two-page spread with a black & white picture and a color picture.  Students should be challenged to critically evaluate:  Which ones do you think really portray what is going on?  How do you know? The character of LaRue is complex.  While he is clearly imaginative and clever, he is also mischievous and melodramatic.  It makes for an interesting discussion on characterization and plot.  The most common activity promoted for this book is letter writing which I have posted links for below.  It may also stimulate a discussion on article writing.  Students may practice writing an article about a real or make-believe event.  Finally, students will find it amusing to imagine an obedience school for children.  They may draw pictures of what it looks like, write a story about it, or compose a letter home about their experience.  Motifs to explore are cleverness, creativity, imagination, honesty, and persuasion.

Lesson Plan Extension Ideas & Activities for Dear Mrs. LaRue

Dear Mrs. LaRue Discussion Guide

Teaching Ideas from Scholastic

A Detailed Lesson on Letter Writing from an Education Major

Computer Activities for Dear Mrs. LaRue

Writing Lesson #1 Dear Mrs. LaRue

Writing Lesson 2: Dear Mrs. LaRue (see left-hand column)

Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation (ages 6-12).  This book is my favorite of the series.  Left alone while his owner is on vacation, Ike LaRue is accused of being responsible for a duo of missing cats.  Everyone thinks the cats are innocent victims, but, in fact, they are responsible for a string of disappearing small birds and critters.  Only Ike (and the reader) knows the truth...or do they? The story is told through letters, newspaper articles, and pictures.  Many educators use this book to teach letter writing to younger children.  I like this book for older children, though, because of its more complex characters and plot as well as its use of irony and humor.  Finally, use this book as a spring board (or as part of a unit) on the study of the mystery genre.  Motifs to explore are cleverness, perseverance, creativity, imagination, equality, fairness, and justice.

Lesson Plan Extension Ideas & Activities for Detective LaRue
*  Discuss the three types of irony:  verbal, dramatic, and situational.  Then, together identify examples of irony using the letters, articles, and pictures. 
*  Discuss the difference between the black & white pictures and the color pictures.  What is there purpose?  What is learned about the character and the plot through them.
*  Discuss point of view.  Who is telling the story?  How reliable is the character?  Can we trust him?  How does the point of view impact the reading of the story?  How would this story be different if it were from the cats’ point of view or police’s? 
*  Write a letter on one of the scenes from another characters’ point of view.

Detective LaRue

Teaching Ideas

Extension Activities:  Mystery Genre

Mystery Genre Activities

Exploring the Mystery Genre

Write a Mystery Workshop

Free Mystery Plans & Units

LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail (ages 6-12).  In this installment in the series, Ike LaRue is up to more mischief.  To clear his name (and help out all dogs), he runs for mayor.  It follows the style of the previous books and lends to similar discussions (irony, humor, fantasy vs. reality, personification, letter writing, and so forth).  There are lots of fun activities that students can do that are specific to this book, such as making campaign posters or holding mock elections.  Also, social studies connections can be made about elections and voting.  Motifs from this book are cooperation, teamwork, leadership, honest, community, good manners, and responsibility. 

Lesson Plan Extension Ideas & Activities for LaRue for Mayor

Compare/Contrast Worksheet on Cats vs. Dogs

Links to Lesson Plans on Elections & Voting

More Links to Lesson Plans on Elections & Voting

Your Vote Counts Lesson Plan

Honorable Mention

Marley (ages 5-10).   Using inspiration from his Marley & Me books, John Grogan has written two series of picture books on his energetic dog.  The first book I read was Bad Dog, Marley. I was put off with the constant “Bad Dog, Marley” repetition.  The end turned out happily though.  I was much more delighted with the other two stories: A Very Marley Christmas and Marley Goes to School.Marley’s character is a combination of a real dog and a fictional personified one.  There are times when he is just a normal puppy, like chasing a ball or cuddling up with his owners.  On the other hand, he is unrealistically portrayed (for humor and excitement) when he uses a copy machine or lets the mice out of their cages.  Thus, this series invites the discussion of fantasy vs. reality and the use of personification.  Also, check out Marley and the Kittens and the I Can Read Marley series.

An Odorous Mention

Walter, the Farting Dog.  I was shocked to see a series on a farting (a word I hate) dog.  On the other hand, I was curious about it.   I read two books in the series so far: Walter the Farting Dog: Banned from the Beach and Rough Weather Ahead for Walter the Farting Dog.  The stories are creative and, well, interesting (though I am not sure that is the right word—LOL). Some call it immature and vulgar while others find it humorous and entertaining.  Check it out to decide for yourself.  Other titles are: Walter the Farting Dog, Walter the Farting Dog Goes on Cruise, Walter the Farting Dog and the Windy Day, and Walter the Farting Dog: Trouble at the Yard Sale.