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Fish in a Tree
Last updated Thursday, June 6, 2024
Author: Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Date of Publication: 2015
ISBN: 9780399162596
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2024
Synopsis:
“Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.”
Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher, Mr. Daniels, sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her - and to everyone - than a label, and that great minds don't always think alike.
| Note to readers: |
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Twelve-year-old Ally has been in seven schools in seven years. Her father is in the military and he and the family get moved around a lot. This has led to problems for Ally and she’s keeping a BIG secret.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you had or do you know someone who has had to move frequently during the school years?
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What kind of problems does that create for you or them?
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READERS: Read Note to Readers.
Vocabulary
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dyslexia: various reading disorders associated with difficulty decoding written language.
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sympathy: act of feeling sorrow or compassion for another.
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pistachio: a nut from a Eurasian tree with a green kernel; part of the cashew family.
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llama: a wholly-haired South American hoofed mammal; often used as a pack animal.
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humiliate: a cause a person a painful loss of pride or self-respect.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Do you know anyone one with a problem like Ally’s?
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What kind of help are they getting?
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READERS: Show students the Sketchbook of Impossible Things and the end of the book. Discuss the drawings.
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| Craft ideas: |
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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16th. Make a greeting card for you father, grandfather or uncle.
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Draw a picture of something you are going to do on you summer vacation.
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| Special activities: |
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Do the provided word search
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*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!
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