Summary:
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher is a novel told in the different perspectives of the children in the Fletcher Family. The family is made up of four adopted boys, two dads, and they are dealing with their grouchy new neighbor. Throughout the story the boys are forced to deal with making difficult choices, and the frustrations that come with being a member of a large family. Sam, the oldest of the boy, is the star of the school musical. Jax, the fourth grader, is trying to interview their neighbor for a school project, but is unable to connect with him and is simultaneously dealing with losing his best friend. Eli, another fourth grade boy is having a new experience at a school for academically gifted children. Frog, the youngest of the boys, has new invisible friend. This family is made up of members from very different backgrounds, but are very close because of their family bond.
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher is a novel told in the different perspectives of the children in the Fletcher Family. The family is made up of four adopted boys, two dads, and they are dealing with their grouchy new neighbor. Throughout the story the boys are forced to deal with making difficult choices, and the frustrations that come with being a member of a large family. Sam, the oldest of the boy, is the star of the school musical. Jax, the fourth grader, is trying to interview their neighbor for a school project, but is unable to connect with him and is simultaneously dealing with losing his best friend. Eli, another fourth grade boy is having a new experience at a school for academically gifted children. Frog, the youngest of the boys, has new invisible friend. This family is made up of members from very different backgrounds, but are very close because of their family bond.
Key Words To Describe the Book:
Teaching Strategies:
Key Vocabulary To Help With Understanding:
Electronic Resources:
Kids Health: This is a website where students can read and learn about diversity. What does it mean? What does it looks like? Where can it be found? Those are all questions that can be answered on this website. Its easy to read and follow allowing different levels of readers to access it.
Dana Alison Levy: This is the authors website. Here students can learn about the author, read excerpts from the book, and learn more about the characters in the book. This is a great way for the students to learn about the author and how they wrote the book. There is even an address so students can write to the author if they choose to do so.
Before Reading Activity:
Have the students take part in a read-pair- share activity. Have the students read a synopsis of the story. After they have read it have the students talk about it with a classmate. Students should think about what they feel is going to happen through out the novel. Will you like the structure of the novel being told in different perspectives? How will the boys deal with everything they are going through? After have the students share with the class their predictions.
During Reading Activity:
While the students are reading have the create a character map. In the character map students will explain each of their characters. Characteristics of the character and then explain how all the character are connected besides for being family. This will help readers to keep track of all the characters and not get confused by the different perspectives.
After Reading Activity:
After students have completed this book have them create a book trailer. In the book trailer they need to have a summary and visuals to represent things that happen in the book. The book trailer can be made with pictures and a voice over, or the students can create a video of themselves acting out the different things they talk about in their summary.
Writing Activity:
Have students take part in a SPAWN writing activity. Students can either have a "super power" and can change a part of the text. The change can change the outcome of the text, or just a particular situation. Students can respond to a problem that is created in the story and how they would react to it. Students can create an "alternate viewpoint." Here students can' write a story from a different perspective then what it is told in. Students can write a "what if" reflection. Here students can take a part of the story and say "what if" this happened. Lastly, students can write what happens "next." Here students can make a prediction on what would happen if the story continued.
- Family
- Decisions
- Diversity
- Modern
- Wacky
Teaching Strategies:
Key Vocabulary To Help With Understanding:
- Inappropriate: Not right or suited for some purpose or situation
- Pinnacle: The best or most important part of something
- Archimedes: Greek mathematician, physicist, and inventor
- Tolerate: To allow (something that is bad, unpleasant, etc.) to exist, happen, or be done
- Defended: To fight in order to keep (someone or something) safe
Electronic Resources:
Kids Health: This is a website where students can read and learn about diversity. What does it mean? What does it looks like? Where can it be found? Those are all questions that can be answered on this website. Its easy to read and follow allowing different levels of readers to access it.
Dana Alison Levy: This is the authors website. Here students can learn about the author, read excerpts from the book, and learn more about the characters in the book. This is a great way for the students to learn about the author and how they wrote the book. There is even an address so students can write to the author if they choose to do so.
Before Reading Activity:
Have the students take part in a read-pair- share activity. Have the students read a synopsis of the story. After they have read it have the students talk about it with a classmate. Students should think about what they feel is going to happen through out the novel. Will you like the structure of the novel being told in different perspectives? How will the boys deal with everything they are going through? After have the students share with the class their predictions.
During Reading Activity:
While the students are reading have the create a character map. In the character map students will explain each of their characters. Characteristics of the character and then explain how all the character are connected besides for being family. This will help readers to keep track of all the characters and not get confused by the different perspectives.
After Reading Activity:
After students have completed this book have them create a book trailer. In the book trailer they need to have a summary and visuals to represent things that happen in the book. The book trailer can be made with pictures and a voice over, or the students can create a video of themselves acting out the different things they talk about in their summary.
Writing Activity:
Have students take part in a SPAWN writing activity. Students can either have a "super power" and can change a part of the text. The change can change the outcome of the text, or just a particular situation. Students can respond to a problem that is created in the story and how they would react to it. Students can create an "alternate viewpoint." Here students can' write a story from a different perspective then what it is told in. Students can write a "what if" reflection. Here students can take a part of the story and say "what if" this happened. Lastly, students can write what happens "next." Here students can make a prediction on what would happen if the story continued.