Text Set for Overcoming Obstacles and Accepting Differences

—Grandpa's Tree

Reference: Harrigan, R. (2007, Winter). Grandpa's tree [Web log post]. Retrieved from A Different Light, a blog with poetry, fiction and essays about disability:

     http://adifferentlight.wordpress.com/short-story-sticks-stones-and-names/grandpas-tree/.

—Text Type: Poem from an online blog.

—Gist of Text: This poem focuses on the abilities of a boy named Eric and shows his persistence when climbing a tree his Grandfather planted, despite being in a wheelchair. Eric’s parents want to cut the tree down because of the accident that left their son in a wheelchair, however Eric fights to save the tree because of the fond memories of his grandfather.

—Rationale: This text is appropriate for third graders because it focus on strengths of people with disabilities.  It is a rather long poem that deals with parents coping over their son being in a wheelchair, due to a recent accident.  This would be a good fit for high level readers due to length and content.

A Picture Book of Helen Keller

Reference:  Adler, D. A. (1992). A picture book of Helen Keller. Holiday House.

—Text Type: Picture book (biography)

—Gist of Text:  This thirty-two page picture book tells the story of Helen Keller and her great accomplishments, despite being deaf and blind.

—Rationale: This text focuses on the accomplishments of Helen Keller, as well as obstacles she had to overcome through simple text structure as well as supporting illustrations.  This would be a good introductory book for the teaching about Helen Keller, as well as a good fit for a struggling reader, due to the supporting illustrations.  

Russ and the Apple Tree Surprise 

Reference:  Rickert, J. E. (1999). Russ and the apple tree surprise . Woodbine House.

—Text Type: Picture Book

—Gist of Text: This short story is about a young boy who wants a swing set in his backyard, instead of an apple tree.  Russ soon discovers the apples, the tree produces and sees the positive reasons for having his own apple tree.

—Rationale: This text focuses on Russ’ abilities and interests. Russ has down syndrome, however the author does not mention his disability, making her readers focus on Russ.  It addresses the needs of struggling readers, or low-level readers by providing supporting photographs as well as limited text per page. 

Extraordinary People with Disabilities 

Reference:  Kent, D., & Quinlan, K. A. (1997). Extraordinary people with disabilities. CT: Children's Press

—Text Type: Multiple biographies of  people with disabilities.

Gist of Text: This text focuses on people who have made a significant impact on history, despite their disabilities. The text is made up of multiple biographies of individuals with disabilities and their accomplishments to society.

Rationale: This text is for high level readers, due to its great length, as well as vocabulary used.  It has some supportive photographs, however limited. This text focuses on accomplishments of individuals with disabilities, which relates to the strength based approach theme.

I'm Like You, You're Like Me: A child's book about understanding and celebrating each other.

Reference: Gainer, C. (1998). I'm like you, you're like me A child's book about understanding and celebrating each other. Free Spirit Publishing.

—Text Type: Picture book

—Gist of Text:  This picture book focuses on the similarities of all children, as well as celebrating any differences they might have. 

—Rationale:  This text addresses the needs of struggling readers by supported illustrations, as well as limited text and vocabulary.  It can help to reinforce tolerance of differences in the classroom.

Kid's Corner

Reference: Center for Disability Information & Referral (CeDIR). (2007, July 30). Kids’ Corner. Retrieved November 1, 2010, from Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, Bloomington. website: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/kidsweb/. 

Text Type: Website for children

Gist of Text:  This website helps teach children about different types of disabilities people may have.  It provides educational books, movies, and games, that depict people with disabilities in a positive light. 

—Rationale: This website is very kid-friendly and focuses on strengths and accomplishments of people with disabilities, as well as ways to help them with struggles they may experience.  This website would benefit medium-level readers, due to use of vocabulary as well as simple navigation.

Thank You Mr. Falker 

Reference:  Polacco, P. (2001). Thank you Mr. Falker. Philomel.

—Text Type: Picture book

—Gist of Text: This book is about Tricia, a struggling reader who finds encouragement from her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker. 

Rationale:  This story focuses on Patricia Polacco’s own struggles with reading as child.  She does not directly identify Tricia as having dyslexia, allowing more readers to relate to her struggles.   Thank you, Mr. Falker relates to overcoming obstacles through having positive role models to turn to.  This story can be read independently by strong readers, however the illustrations can provide help with comprehension for more struggling readers.  This story can also be read aloud to the whole class to promote comprehension for all students.  

Blindsight: Adventure Documentary

“Just because you lose your sight, doesn’t mean you lose your vision.”

Blind climber Erik Weihenmayer

Reference: Walker, L., & Orr, R. (n.d.). Blindsight [Movie trailer, Facts, Climbers].   Retrieved November 1, 2010, from http://www.blindsightthemovie.com/release.html 

—Text Type: Adventure Documentary video clip/website on Blindsight.

Gist of Text:  This website focuses on the documentary, Blindsight, where six blind Tibetan teenagers set out to climb the north side of Mount Everest. This inspiring story helps children set high expectations for themselves and not let disabilities get in the way of their goals.

—Rationale: This film is rated PG, however I would show the video clip to aid instruction on overcoming obstacles.   The website has some difficult vocabulary, so it would be appropriate for high-level readers. 

**—Scaffolding instruction would be needed for medium- to low-level readers in order to navigate through the website to learn more about each climber.

Kids Health: Kids with Special Needs.

Reference:Sheslow, D. V., PhD. (2008, November 1). Kids with special needs Kids who might need extra help [Audio and read along]. Retrieved October 26, 2010, from http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/friend/special_needs.html# 

Text Type: Audio version of article from children’s website.

Gist of Text:  This article helps discuss children who may need extra help due to a health or learning impairments.  It is available on audio as well as in Spanish.

—Rationale:  This article addresses the needs of many types of students by having audio version to help aid struggling readers, as well as identifying important terms.  It focuses on reasons why students may need extra help and how peers can assist them.  

Brothers and Sisters 

Reference:  Dwight, L. (2005). Brothers and sisters. Star Bright Books.

Text Type: 1st person narrative and stories about siblings of children with disabilities.

Gist of Text:  This narrative text focuses on what it is like for siblings of children with disabilities.  It provides examples of everyday family life and how children with disabilities are very much like children without disabilities.

Rationale: This text focuses the family life of children with disabilities and focuses on accepting all types of people.  It provides photographs as well as simple text on each page to aid struggling readers.