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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz



Last updated Thursday, May 18, 2017

Author: L. Frank Baum
Illustrator: Scott McKowen
Date of Publication: 2005
ISBN: 1402725043
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2017

Synopsis: They're off to read the Wizard--the original, imaginative American tale written by Frank L. Baum just over a century ago. All the beloved characters are here, along with the splendid Emerald City and the heartwarming motto: "There's no place like home."

Note to readers:
•  Begin at chapter 11, page 69.
•  Summary to up to chapter 11: Dorothy lives in Kansas with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and dog Toto. One day there is a cyclone, it lifts the house, and takes it to the land of the Munchkins. When her house landed it accidentally killed the wicked Witch of the East, and everyone is grateful to her. She asks for help to get home to Kansas, and the good Witch of the North tells her to follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City, and see the Wizard of Oz. Along the way Dorothy meets a scarecrow, tin woodman and lion. They all go with her so that they can ask for brains (scarecrow), heart (tin woodman), and courage (lion).

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever seen or heard of the movie 'The Wizard of Oz' or 'The Wiz'?
•  Have you ever seen or heard of the musical 'Wicked'?
•  From the cover of the book, what does it look like is happening?

Vocabulary

•  Spectacles- a very impressive show
•  Audience- a formal meeting with an important person
•  Sorrowfully- feeling or showing sadness
•  Comrades- a close friend you have worked with
•  Meekly- having or showing a quiet and gentle nature
•  Retorted- a quick and often angry reply

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What does Emerald City look like?
•  What does the Wizard want Dorothy and her friends to do in exchange for what they want?
•  What animals does the wicked Witch of the West send after Dorothy and her friends?
•  How did Dorothy kill the witch?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a mother's day card.
•  Make a scarecrow, tin woodman, or lion from the story. See examples on Pinterest.
•  --Scarecrow: Use construction paper to cut out a hat, eyes, nose and mouth. Trace both hands, and cut out from construction paper. Color a paper plate, and glue all pieces previously cut out to the plate.
•  --Tin Woodman: Cut out eyes, nose, and a mouth from construction paper. Use foil, or grey construction paper, to cut out a funnel shape for the hat. Use popsicle sticks to make a square head, and glue all pieces previously cut out to the popsicle sticks.
•  --Lion: Cut out 2 heart shapes from construction paper. The second heart should fit inside the first heart, glue. Cut out a 3rd heart for a nose, glue. Draw in eyes. Fringe the edges of the first 2 hearts.
•  Check our craft ideas for May on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/may-2017-fantasy-folklore-fairytales/

Special activities:
•  Listen to music from 'The Wizard of Oz'.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!