Linking up with the sweeties & cuties Amanda & Stacia for their mentor text linky. I present: Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller! This book is gorgeously illustrated and very inspirational. This picture book biography tells the story of Helen's childhood struggles up to her adulthood accomplishments.
The book is filled with enlarged quotes from Helen Keller that support her story and llustrations. I love introducing students to her story for the first time because it always captivates and inspire them.
Helen’s determination and perseverance to reach her goals in life, despite her physical disabilities, life lessons of never giving up are revealed throughout the story. Her story shows how she overcame darkness and silence to become a light and voice for so many.
My friend's sister used to work with the blind so I have a tub full of children's braille books that I let my students explore. This experience makes Helen's accomplishments even greater once they realize how difficult it must've been to communicate and learn.
I showed my students this documentary video of Helen Keller with her teacher Anne Sullivan. They are fascinated by the way Helen signs in her teacher's hand and how they communicate with each other. Their teacher/student relationship is remarkable!
I share these quotes of Helen Keller with my students because she's such an inspirational role model and her words are uplifting and encouraging to all people.
Do you have any adding machine tape? They're perfect to create timelines for biographies!
This beautiful book is wonderful for a biography unit, to teach theme, character analysis, and to inspire your students to triumph no matter the obstacle.
This book is a MUST HAVE for so many reasons, there are so many teachable moments you can have with your students! Can you tell I'm a huge Helen Keller fan? She's such an inspiration!
Check out the other great mentor texts at Collaboration Cuties and be prepared to fill another shelf with all the great reads!
Last day to enter this amazing giveaway-be sure to stop by!
This looks like a great biography to add to my list! Thanks for all the great extras too!!
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Jivey
ideas by jivey
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This book looks like a fantastic find! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHunter's Tales from Teaching
I swear I have spent more time lately on your blog then on mine! LOL! You are part of the "sandwich" referred to by Amanda and Stacia in the Mentor Text linky! You are the top of my bahn mi! (my favourite Vietnamese sandwich). I love Helen Keller. She made so many contributions during her lifetime, she was the ultimate teacher and student! Thank you for sharing so many resources!
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Teachingisagift
Beautiful and I loved the adding machine tape tip. :)
ReplyDelete~Brandee
Creating Lifelong Learners
I have never heard of this book but always love a great inspirational story! Thanks for sharing all the quotes too. They just put everything into perspective:)
ReplyDelete~Holly
Fourth Grade Flipper
You are the best, Joanne! ;)
DeleteI loved this post and pinned this book. Thank you for all of the ideas for using this book. Perseverance is one of "Values of the Month" so I will be sure using this book for that. I do have adding machine tape, sitting unused in my classroom, thanks for the great idea.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful book and ideas. How cool that you have the Braille books available for your students. I can see myself using this book in March for Women in History Month. I actually have a ton of adding machine tape. I need to use it! Thanks for the reminder! Great post!
ReplyDeleteGina
Beach Sand and Lesson Plans
Wow! What a neat book and I love that there is a YouTube video! I think that would be amazing to watch! Her story is so inspirational! I just love all of this. And that's all I can say. Love love love love...
ReplyDeleteLove ya!! :O)
Amanda
Collaboration Cuties
What a neat book. Such an inspiration for kiddos and teachers alike. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst Grade Buddies
We have a biography of Helen Keller in our reading book. I remember honestly thinking the students would think it was boring the first time we worked with it. Boy was I wrong. They love learning about her. Thank you for the extra ideas!
ReplyDeleteJessica
Literacy Spark
This looks like a beautiful text! I had several second graders interested in Helen Keller last year... Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSarah @ Hoots N Hollers
These seems like such a great story. I love the idea of using Helen Keller for a biography study. I remember writing a book report on Helen Keller in 4th grade.
ReplyDelete~April Walker
The Idea Backpack
Helen was/is such an inspirational woman! Thanks for sharing the mentor text with us.
ReplyDelete-Sarah
A Rocky Top Teacher