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Curious George Goes to the Hospital



Last updated Thursday, November 17, 2011

Author: Margaret and H.A. Rey
Date of Publication: 1966
ISBN: 9780812423693
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2011

Synopsis: Readers learn all about the hospital as George goes in for an operation to remove a puzzle piece he has eaten.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What is your favorite Curious George book?
•  Have you ever been to the doctor’s office?
•  Have you ever been to the hospital?

Vocabulary Selection:
•  STETHOSCOPE -- an instrument used in auscultation to convey sounds in the chest or other parts of the body to the ear of the examiner.
•  BARIUM -- a soft silvery-white metallic element of the alkaline earth group. It is used in bearing alloys and compounds are used as pigments.
•  TRANSFUSION -- the act or an instance of transfusing. the injection of blood, blood plasma, etc, into the blood vessels of a patient
•  BLOOD PRESSURE -- the pressure exerted by the blood on the inner walls of the arteries, being relative to the elasticity and diameter of the vessels and the force of the heartbeat.
•  X-RAY -- electromagnetic radiation emitted when matter is bombarded with fast electrons. a picture produced by exposing photographic film to X-rays: used in medicine as a diagnostic aid as parts of the body, such as bones, absorb X-rays and so appear as opaque areas on the picture.
•  OPERATION -- the act, process, or manner of operating. surgery any manipulation of the body or one of its organs or parts to repair damage, arrest the progress of a disease, remove foreign matter, etc

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Have you ever had a shot/needle? What did it feel like?
•  Why did George not have to wear an apron when receiving an X-Ray?
•  Where do you think a monkey would go for an operation?
•  Why do the doctors wear caps and masks while performing an operation?
•  AT PAGE 37 -- What do you think will happen next?
•  AT PAGE 48 -- What do you think is in the package?

Craft ideas:
•  MAKE PUPPETS AND HAVE A PUPPET SHOW
•  DRAW AN X-RAY OF YOUR BODY WITH YOUR FAVORITE TOY INSIDE
•  MAKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE

*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!