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Birdie's Lighthouse takes place in the mid 1800s in a fictional Maine fishing village and lighthouse island. The story is based on the experiences of several true-life lighthouse heroines, including Abigail Burgess Grant, who lived in the lighthouse at Matinicus Rock, pictured above.
Projects and themes to use this book in the classroom might include the following:
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Weather, Hurricanes & Storms
Hurricanes and Storms
Hurricane and storm science information from the Miami Museum of Science.
The Weather Unit
A variety of weather-related lesson plans for elementary level students.
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Historical Fiction in the Classroom
One of the lighthouse heroines who inspired Birdie's Lighthouse was the Maine lightkeeper Abigail Burgess Grant, whose story is told in Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. Have the students read both books and discuss which parts of both books are real and which might be made up. (For instance, dialogue would be fictionalized.) Using the author's note in Birdie's Lighthouse, have the students make up their own stories about life in a lighthouse. What information do they need to research?
Survival Bibliography
A bibliography of books about survival, including a number of historical fiction titles.
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Journals and Letter Writing
Journals
Birdie's Lighthouse spans one year in Birdie Holland's life. Students can be encouraged to keep daily or weekly journals for a specified time and illustrate them. In reading Birdie's Lighthouse, students can compare their journals and Birdie's. Sample questions might include: What are some of the changes that took place in Birdie's life, and in their own lives? What are some of the ways in which Birdie's life is different from theirs? What are some of the different feelings Birdie has that we can see from her diary?
Supporting Others at a Time of Need Lesson Plan
Reading, writing, and journal mapping using a variety of books.
Using Historical Journals in the Classroom
http://www.state.vt.us/vhs/educate/diaries.htm
Developed by the Vermont Historical Society, this excellent lesson plan is probably best suited for Grade 4 and up but could be adapted for younger grades. It includes two on-line historical journals of 19th century Vermont schoolchildren. Includes discussion questions and an outline for using the journals in the classroom.
Letter Writing
Birdie feels a strong connection with the members of her family, and even her pets. How do we see that reflected in the illustrations and in her journal? (For instance, we see her holding a string at the beginning of the book as she waits anxiously for her father to return, and again when her brother leaves.) Many children today are separated from family, both immediate and extended. One classroom project would be to have the students write a letter from Nate to Birdie, and then her response. Student s could also write letters to their own family members who are separated.
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