|
Two Dogs in a Trench Coat go to School
Last updated Thursday, September 23, 2021
Author: Julie Falatko
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 1338189514
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2021
Synopsis:
Sassy and Waldo are good dogs. They spend the day keeping their house safe. Has a squirrel ever gotten inside? No! But every day their boy, Stewart, comes home from this terrible place called school smelling like anxiety and looseleaf paper.
Sassy and Waldo decide to save Stewart. But they don't let dogs into school. So Sassy and Waldo decide to get creative. They put on an old trench coat, and now everyone at Bea Arthur Elementary thinks they are a new student named Salty from Liver, Ohio. Well, everyone except Stewart.
Sassy and Waldo love school! Everything smells like meat and dirty socks. And they discover a whole other way to help out Stewart!
| Note to readers: |
| • |
Ask the students how they are adjusting to being back in school with “In Person” learning.
|
| • |
If possible, show a picture of a real trench coat. It has a specific style. Ask them if they have ever seen a character in a movie or on TV wearing one (e.g., spy, private detective). See Pinterest (link below, under "Craft Ideas")
|
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
| • |
The main characters in this book are two dogs named Sassy and Waldo. Their human is a grade school boy named Stewart. Do you have pets? What kind?
|
| • |
If have a pet, or know someone who does, do they seem to know when you are scared, unhappy or mad? How do they respond to you? Can you give an example of how they act?
|
| • |
Has your cat or dog ever been obsessed by another animal in the neighborhood like squirrels?
Vocabulary
|
| • |
perimeter: a boundary line that marks off a specific area
|
| • |
imminent: ready to happen soon. Often used when something bad or dangerous is about to happen
|
| • |
intruder: a person who enters a building, ground or area without permission.
|
| • |
hypnotized: to influence, control or direct someone completely by charm, words or domination
|
| • |
overlord: a person with great power or influence to govern tyrannically
|
| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
| • |
The dogs are very concerned about Stewart who seem unhappy about school. They fear he might even be in danger. They devise plan to find out what the trouble is. They make a plan to disguise themselves. What do you think of these plans?
|
| • |
Waldo and Sassy eventually learn that Stewart is worried about a “project” he must complete that makes up a major part of his grade. He can’t even begin the think of what to do. Have you ever had this problem? What did you do to solve it?
|
*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!
|
