Books by Kathleen Krull
1) On a large map chart Cesar Chavez' march from Delano to Sacramento, highlighting towns that are referred to in the text with colored pins
2) The march from Delano to Sacramento was approximately 300 miles. If Chavez and the other marchers could cover 15 miles in one day, how long did it take them to complete the march?
3) Brainstorm what it means to be courageous, listing examples on a chart. What did Cesar Chavez mean when he said, "Nonviolence takes more guts."? List examples of how Chavez utilized a nonviolent approach in negotiating with farm owners.
4) Chavez was inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Have students conduct independent research on these two men who inspired Chavez to use a nonviolent approach to social change. What did each of them say about social change and nonviolence?
5) The Chavez family lost their ranch and was forced to relocate during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Have students conduct research on the number of families who lost their land during the Depression. How many of these families relocated to California?
6) Extend learning on the Great Depression by reading Jerry Stanley's Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp.
Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought)
1) Have students locate the country of each woman from the book on a world map using a different colored pin for each century. Look for any patterns by geographic region and by time. Have students hypothesize on the reasons for any patterns that they see.
2) The book gives brief biographies on twenty women. Have students select their five favorite rulers and write one sentence on each ruler's feelings about leadership and family. Look at trends in the people selected by each student. Do choices reflect personal values or secret desires? Discuss in small groups.
3) Make up riddles for one of the women and share with the class, allowing them to guess which woman each student chose.
4) Have students write a letter to one of the women from the book telling her how one of her actions or her words affected them and their lives.
5) Brainstorm and list criteria for greatness. Choose five women from the book and decide which characteristics they possess and give examples.
6) Have students write a biography of them as they see themselves as adults.
7) Kathryn Hewitt's illustrations also contribute greatly to the enjoyment of Krull's book. Prior to reading, choose some of her caricatures and list all of the "things" that are shown in each one. Predict how these things will fit into each woman's biography. After reading each selection, compare predictions with the text.
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman
1) Wilma Rudolph had polio as a young child. Have students research polio, finding its cause, effects, and why it is no longer a threat to American children?
2) Wilma Rudolph was the first American woman to win three Olympic gold medals. Have any others won that many since? Who were they and when did they win their medals?
3) Wilma Rudolph was raised in the South during a time when segregation was still very much a part of life for Southern Blacks. Have students research the effects of segregation in the south and cite one specific example for presentation to the class.
4) Wilma Rudolph was able to succeed in spite of overwhelming odds against her. Why do you think that she was able to overcome adversity? Conduct further research into her character and come up with a list of factors that contributed to her success.
5) Have students create a poster celebrating their lives, highlighting successes in spite of obstacles.
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Updated: March 20, 2005