book 2: bad news/good news activity guide · beacon street girls - book 2 activity guide – bad...

Book 2: Bad News/Good News Activity Guide

More fun activities for girls on: www.beaconstreetgirls.com Copyright 2006 Beacon Street Girls, All Rights Reserved

Book 2: Bad News/Good News Activity Guide

More fun activities for girls on: www.beaconstreetgirls.com Copyright 2006 Beacon Street Girls, All Rights Reserved

Bad News/Good News Intermediate Reader, 236 pages ISBN: 0-9746587-0-7 A new girl in town, a parent’s potential new job overseas, and a botched community service project to make blankets for a homeless shelter threaten to break up the strong friendship of the Beacon Street Girls. Themes

• jealousy • community service • adult mentors • honesty • arguments • loyalty • misunderstandings

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Beacon Street Girls - Book 2 Activity Guide

Discussion: 1. Shoplifting 2. Being the New Kid Writing: 1. Thank-You Notes 2. Bad News/Good News Stories 3. Change a Rule Research: 1. Community Service Art: 1. Project Thread 2. Community Collage 3. Cartoon Critters

These activities may be used in your classroom and/or after-school program. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to email us at: [email protected]. Get FREE Bonus Materials for your class: Go to the books section of our site: http://www.beaconstreetgirls.com/Books/tabid/62/Default.aspx to download posters for your classroom. You will also find: Book Club questions for each book, quizzes, and activities.

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Beacon Street Girls - Book 2 Activity Guide – Bad News/Good News

More fun activities for girls on: www.beaconstreetgirls.com Copyright 2006 Beacon Street Girls, All Rights Reserved 1

Discussion Activity 1: Shoplifting

“When Ethel found out, she didn’t yell at Maeve or tell her parents. Instead, she asked Maeve to write her a letter about what she’d done, and why.” ~Bad News/Good News p. 100 In Bad News/Good News, we find out that when Maeve was in second grade, she stole candy from Irving’s Toy and Card Shop. Instead of telling Maeve’s parents, Mrs. Weiss asked Maeve to write a note of apology.

What do you think about this?

What did Maeve learn from this experience?

Do you think shoplifting hurts anyone aside from the shop owner?



Discussion Activity 2: Being the New Kid

“‘Hey, guys, Charlotte said, trying to sound soothing. ‘There’s nothing wrong with being friendly and helping Isabel feel welcome. Let’s just give her a chance, OK?’” ~Bad News/Good News p. 38 Charlotte was new in Book 1, Worst Enemies/Best Friends, and now Isabel is the new kid to Abigail Adams Junior High. Isabel’s situation is a little different because she is entering school after everyone has had time to adjust.

Have you ever been the “new kid”? (at school, in a club, on a team, at camp, etc.?)

Was it a hard or easy adjustment? Because …

What suggestions do you have for someone who is new?

How can you make things easier for a new kid?


Art Activity 1: Project Thread “Some of the older boys just sat back and watched, but the older girls loved the blankets. Before they left the shelter, Keisha came running up, still clutching her lavender blanket. She pulled her thumb out and gave Maeve a hug.” ~Bad News/Good News p. 226

Supplies

• Fleece

• Tape

• Yardstick or Ruler

• Scissors

• Optional: Needle and Thread* Directions

• Decide how big you want your blanket and buy the appropriate amount of fleece (any color).

• Along the top and bottom of the fleece (short sides) apply a straight line of tape all the way across—leave 3 inches showing on both ends.

• Cut a fringe to the tape along the top and bottom (short sides). When finished with fringing, remove the tape.

• Cut out the card below, fold in half, and write a special message to the person or organization you are giving the blanket to. ☺

*Extra • If you’re super creative, you can sew patches, buttons, and other decorations onto

the blanket to make it truly spectacular!



Art Activity 2: Community Collage “Charlotte could hardly believe it. The Tower room and Marty and Miss Pierce and Ms. Rodriguez and Social Dancing and Nick and the bakery and Irving’s Toy and Card Shop and most of all, her beloved friends—she wouldn’t have to leave them after all!” ~Bad News/Good News p. 233

Supplies

• Poster Board

• Magazines

• Glue

• Scissors

• Optional: Markers, colored pencils, glitter, recycled materials, etc. Directions

• In small groups, make a collage of things that represent your community.

• Cut out pictures and words from magazines and paste them onto poster board. Don’t be afraid to layer the pictures!

• Present your finished collage to the class or group and explain why you chose certain pictures and words.

Extra

• Check out how the other groups represented your community. Are they similar or different?



Art Activity 3: Cartoon Critters Art Activity 3: Cartoon Critters

“‘I love painting—and I love drawing comics and cartoons—but my favorite of all is collage-art—I love making special little boxes for my friends.’ Isabel smiled shyly, looking around the table. ‘Maybe I can show you guys some of the stuff I’ve done.’”

“‘I love painting—and I love drawing comics and cartoons—but my favorite of all is collage-art—I love making special little boxes for my friends.’ Isabel smiled shyly, looking around the table. ‘Maybe I can show you guys some of the stuff I’ve done.’” ~Bad News/Good News p. 41 ~Bad News/Good News p. 41 You don’t have to be Picasso, or even a famous cartoonist, to think of funny ways to express yourself using animals. Think of a silly situation in life and choose a creature from the animal kingdom. Isabel likes using birds. What kind of animal do you want to draw? Make a funny cartoon with a catchy caption … doodle freely and don’t worry about it looking perfect. Remember, cartoons are for fun!

You don’t have to be Picasso, or even a famous cartoonist, to think of funny ways to express yourself using animals. Think of a silly situation in life and choose a creature from the animal kingdom. Isabel likes using birds. What kind of animal do you want to draw? Make a funny cartoon with a catchy caption … doodle freely and don’t worry about it looking perfect. Remember, cartoons are for fun!

Caption: Caption:



Caption: Caption:

Hola! Isabel here … If you don’t like to draw, you can cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers and make a collage cartoon ☺ Hola! Isabel here … If you don’t like to draw, you can cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers and make a collage cartoon ☺



Maeve’s idea for u

Research Activity: Community Service


“‘Hey,’ Maeve said, staring at Isabel as if she’d just had the best idea on earth. ‘If you’re artistic, you might want to help me out with my fabulous custom-made blanket idea!’ She started describing the project with great enthusiasm, barely noticing how quiet Katani was across the table.”

“‘Hey,’ Maeve said, staring at Isabel as if she’d just had the best idea on earth. ‘If you’re artistic, you might want to help me out with my fabulous custom-made blanket idea!’ She started describing the project with great enthusiasm, barely noticing how quiet Katani was across the table.” ~Bad News/Good News p. 41 ~Bad News/Good News p. 41 helping the community is to make blankets for the homeless. Can yo

think of a need in your community? What could you do to change things? What kind ofproject would be helpful?

helping the community is to make blankets for the homeless. Can yothink of a need in your community? What could you do to change things? What kind ofproject would be helpful?

Maeve’s idea for u

Research Activity: Community Service

In your groups, brainstorm ways that you, as kids, could contribute to the community or make a positive change. Construct a detailed plan about the steps you would take to make something happen. Include details such as phone numbers and adult resources that you would need to consult for help.

In your groups, brainstorm ways that you, as kids, could contribute to the community or make a positive change. Construct a detailed plan about the steps you would take to make something happen. Include details such as phone numbers and adult resources that you would need to consult for help.

Can you think of a need in your community? Can you think of a need in your community?

What would you do to change things?


Resource List: (organizations, helpful adults, websites, etc.)



Writing Activity 1: Thank-You Notes Writing Activity 1: Thank-You Notes “‘You raise an interesting point,’ Ms. Rodriguez said. ‘Doing something helpful, and wanting credit for it …’ She looked thoughtful. ‘I think Abby’s raised something worth thinking about. You know, adults struggle with these issues, too. When we do something to help someone, shouldn’t that be the primary goal?’”

“‘You raise an interesting point,’ Ms. Rodriguez said. ‘Doing something helpful, and wanting credit for it …’ She looked thoughtful. ‘I think Abby’s raised something worth thinking about. You know, adults struggle with these issues, too. When we do something to help someone, shouldn’t that be the primary goal?’”


Has anyone ever done anything special for you and not received credit for the good deed? Here’s your chance to make someone’s day! Write a “Thanks for the good deed” note. If you want, hand-deliver the note and make someone smile.

Has anyone ever done anything special for you and not received credit for the good deed? Here’s your chance to make someone’s day! Write a “Thanks for the good deed” note. If you want, hand-deliver the note and make someone smile.

Some examples: Some examples: Thank your mom or dad for making a delicious dinner. Thank an older sibling for helping you with your homework. Thank a friend for being there when you needed him or her most. Thank your mom or dad for making a delicious dinner. Thank an older sibling for helping you with your homework. Thank a friend for being there when you needed him or her most.

Thank you!


Thank you!


Thank you!


Writing Activity 2: Bad News/☺ Good News Writing Activity 2: Bad News/☺ Good News “‘Anyway,’ Maeve was saying cheerfully, twirling her locker combination, ‘I’ve got major news. And this doesn’t just affect me, either, it affects everyone!’”

“‘Anyway,’ Maeve was saying cheerfully, twirling her locker combination, ‘I’ve got major news. And this doesn’t just affect me, either, it affects everyone!’” ~Bad News/Good News p. 12 ~Bad News/Good News p. 12 Write your own good news/bad news story. Switch back and forth between good news and bad news until you have created an interesting, funny, and/or exciting tale! Finish with a happy ending (good news) or a sad ending (uh-oh … bad news!).

Write your own good news/bad news story. Switch back and forth between good news and bad news until you have created an interesting, funny, and/or exciting tale! Finish with a happy ending (good news) or a sad ending (uh-oh … bad news!).

Some examples: Some examples: Sara and Jane both wanted to bake a birthday cake for their friend Kelly … Sara and Jane both wanted to bake a birthday cake for their friend Kelly … The good news was that Jane knew how to bake a cake. The good news was that Jane knew how to bake a cake. The bad news was that Sara spilled the batter on the floor before the cake went into the oven. The bad news was that Sara spilled the batter on the floor before the cake went into the oven. ☺ Good News/ Bad News ☺ Good News/ Bad News



Tyra and Jodie went to the Mall … The bad news was that they both lost their lunch money. The good news was that they won the “lunch for two” contest at the Food Court.

Bad News/☺ Good News



Writing Activity 3: Change a Rule Writing Activity 3: Change a Rule

“‘I’m happy to be able report this morning that one school rule has been changed—thanks to a suggestion from Charlotte Ramsey.’ She smiled in Charlotte’s direction. Charlotte sat up a little straighter. She couldn’t believe her ears.”

“‘I’m happy to be able report this morning that one school rule has been changed—thanks to a suggestion from Charlotte Ramsey.’ She smiled in Charlotte’s direction. Charlotte sat up a little straighter. She couldn’t believe her ears.” ~Bad News/Good News p. 30 ~Bad News/Good News p. 30 If you could change any rule, which rule would you change? Write a one-page persuasive essay about why this rule should be changed. If you are passionate about fighting for what you believe in, you never know what might happen!

If you could change any rule, which rule would you change? Write a one-page persuasive essay about why this rule should be changed. If you are passionate about fighting for what you believe in, you never know what might happen!

If I could change a rule, I would change: If I could change a rule, I would change:


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