Connor, L. (2004). Miss Bridie chose a shovel. Boston, M.A.: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0-618-30564-5.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: K-3
Summary: When immigrating to the United States in 1856, Miss Bridie chooses to take a shovel from her homeland with her. The shovel stays with her throughout her life and it becomes a useful tool as she adapts to living in the United States. Not only is it useful for all of her gardening needs, the tool also reminds her of her homeland and reminds her of how far she has come throughout the course of her life.
Activity: The illustrations of this book are done with woodcuts. Have students select one object that they would take with them if they had to emigrate, and have them create a woodcut of it. Since woodcutting is harder for children, there are numerous ways to make woodcutting accessible for children. Here is one website with an example of how to do woodcuts with children: http://artforkidshub.com/easy-alternative-woodcut-for-kids/
After they have completed their wood cut, have students share them in small groups. Have students share and answer questions like: Why did they choose that item? How would that item be useful in another country? Is their item more sentimental or practical?
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: K-3
Summary: When immigrating to the United States in 1856, Miss Bridie chooses to take a shovel from her homeland with her. The shovel stays with her throughout her life and it becomes a useful tool as she adapts to living in the United States. Not only is it useful for all of her gardening needs, the tool also reminds her of her homeland and reminds her of how far she has come throughout the course of her life.
Activity: The illustrations of this book are done with woodcuts. Have students select one object that they would take with them if they had to emigrate, and have them create a woodcut of it. Since woodcutting is harder for children, there are numerous ways to make woodcutting accessible for children. Here is one website with an example of how to do woodcuts with children: http://artforkidshub.com/easy-alternative-woodcut-for-kids/
After they have completed their wood cut, have students share them in small groups. Have students share and answer questions like: Why did they choose that item? How would that item be useful in another country? Is their item more sentimental or practical?
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce