Pink and Say

This picture book takes place during the Civil War.  When 15 year-old Sheldon Curtis is wounded badly and left for dead, African-American Pinkus Aylee comes to his rescue.  Even though both boys are fighting for the Union, both are fighting for different causes. 

Reading Level:
     Lexile: 590

Genre/Theme:
     Diversity/Friendship
     Historical Fiction
     Civil War
     Courage

Subject:
     Social Studies
     English Language Arts

Teaching ideas for a 5th Grade Classroom:
     Web Resources: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/pink-and-say-lesson-plan offers a lesson plan which gives the idea for this book to be used as an initiation for the Civil War.

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/acquiring-vocabulary-through-book-170.html?tab=3#tabs also offers a lesson plan which helps students aquire new vocabulary through the reading of this book.

Suggested Delivery:  Small Groups

Before Reading:
     Vocabulary to introduce:  mahogany, winderlight, marauders, vittles, spectacles, inconsolable
Using a KWL Chart, ask students what they know about the Civil War.  Record their responses.  Ask students what they hope to learn.  Record their responses. 

During Reading:
Students should continue working on KWL Chart.  Students should use highlighting tape to mark any unfamiliar words they come across, or keep a list of unfamiliar words in their reading journals.

After Reading:
Students will complete KWL Chart.  Students will pretend to be reporters working during the Civil War.  There job is to interview either Pink or Say at Andersonville Camp.  They must ask (and answer) atleast 5 questions.

Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. New York: Philomel Books.