Adventurous, Suspensful, Delightful, Friendly Environmental Message, Engaging Characters | Reviews: “This satisfying eco-adventure stars sixth grader Julian Carter-Li… the focus is on the young—a group that becomes gratifyingly diverse in age as well as experience and ethnic background. A highly enjoyable read.” Kirkus Review “…Teachers will be able to use this novel for Earth Day discussions and can foster conversations on environmental activism of all types. The resolution reminds readers that everyone, no matter how large or small, can take action on issues that are important to them.” Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library Awards/Recognition:
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Bibliography:
French, S. T. (2009). Operation Redwood. New York: Amulet Books.
French, S. T. (2009). Operation Redwood. New York: Amulet Books.
Reading Level: An AR rating of 5.0 (5th grade) with an interest level of middle grades (4th -8th grade).
Suggested Delivery: Independent Reading, Shared Reading, or Read A-Loud
Summary:
Julian Carter-Li’s uncle is a money hungry CEO who cares little for the impact of his actions. One day, Julian opens an e-mail on his uncle’s computer title “SIBLEY CARTER IS A MORAN AND A WORLD-CLASS JERK!!!” This e-mail begins a pen-pal friendship with Robin Elder and a summer vacation Julian will never forget. Soon, Julian becomes part of a fight to save Big Tree Grove, an old-growth Redwood forest. He’ll end up not only running away, making new friends, fighting a national company, but also finding something worth fighting for. Can Julian and Robin save Big Tree Grove, or is it destined to be a clear-cut forest?
Julian Carter-Li’s uncle is a money hungry CEO who cares little for the impact of his actions. One day, Julian opens an e-mail on his uncle’s computer title “SIBLEY CARTER IS A MORAN AND A WORLD-CLASS JERK!!!” This e-mail begins a pen-pal friendship with Robin Elder and a summer vacation Julian will never forget. Soon, Julian becomes part of a fight to save Big Tree Grove, an old-growth Redwood forest. He’ll end up not only running away, making new friends, fighting a national company, but also finding something worth fighting for. Can Julian and Robin save Big Tree Grove, or is it destined to be a clear-cut forest?
Key Vocabulary:
Old-Growth (72): a forest characterized by old trees and woody remains
Dissonance (95): when there is a disagreement
Second Growth (96): trees that grew after the removal of a previous forest
Clear-cut (99): removing all of the trees in a row
Legacy (111): something that is left behind from someone who lived before, especially in regards to a relative
Operation (117): a mission that includes planning and completing that plan
Ecoterrorism (214): an intentional act to slow down or stop activities that are intended to hurt the environment
Operative (233): someone who is part of an operation
Confrontation (283): a meeting that takes place face-to-face
Intrepid (295): being without fear
Quest (304): an adventurous pursuit of something
Controversy (319): a discussion with opposite views
Gumption (329): determined creativity
*Definitions are based off of dictionary.com
Old-Growth (72): a forest characterized by old trees and woody remains
Dissonance (95): when there is a disagreement
Second Growth (96): trees that grew after the removal of a previous forest
Clear-cut (99): removing all of the trees in a row
Legacy (111): something that is left behind from someone who lived before, especially in regards to a relative
Operation (117): a mission that includes planning and completing that plan
Ecoterrorism (214): an intentional act to slow down or stop activities that are intended to hurt the environment
Operative (233): someone who is part of an operation
Confrontation (283): a meeting that takes place face-to-face
Intrepid (295): being without fear
Quest (304): an adventurous pursuit of something
Controversy (319): a discussion with opposite views
Gumption (329): determined creativity
*Definitions are based off of dictionary.com
Before Reading Strategy:
Before reading, have the students predict what they think may occur in the book based off of the cover.
If the students are not familiar with redwood trees, give a mini lesson on important information such as the history of redwoods.
Before reading, have the students predict what they think may occur in the book based off of the cover.
If the students are not familiar with redwood trees, give a mini lesson on important information such as the history of redwoods.
During Reading Strategy:
Using the “Follow the Clues” graphic organizers (Raymer, 1999), have students write down important events at the end of each reading. Then, have the students write a prediction based off of that information.
Using the “Follow the Clues” graphic organizers (Raymer, 1999), have students write down important events at the end of each reading. Then, have the students write a prediction based off of that information.
Jennifer and Dottie Raymer (1999). The big book of reproducible graphic organizers: 50 great templates to help kids get more out of reading, writing, social studies & more, 14. New York: Scholastic Professional Books. | Jennifer and Dottie Raymer (1999). The big book of reproducible graphic organizers: 50 great templates to help kids get more out of reading, writing, social studies & more, 14. New York: Scholastic Professional Books. |
After Reading Strategy
Have the students do a webquest on Save the Redwoods League's website: http://education.savetheredwoods.org/kit/edmap/index.php For this interactive map, new facts appear next to each term each time the mouse rolls over it until it reaches the end of the cycle. The picture below is a box that quickly appears after you click one of the forests. | |
Inferential Comprehension Writing Strategy:
Pretend you are Julian; write your own letter to the media on why you think that the Big Grove Forest should be saved? Be sure to include your opinion (as Julian) on redwoods in general.
Pretend you are Julian; write your own letter to the media on why you think that the Big Grove Forest should be saved? Be sure to include your opinion (as Julian) on redwoods in general.
Electronic Resources:
This website can be used to gain more information about redwood trees. This website also includes a link to an informational page with an interactive picture of the various organisms that live in redwood forests. Not only will students learn about the redwood trees, but they will also become invested in how the story plays out.http://www.operationredwood.com/theredwoodforest.php
To enhance the experience of the redwoods, show your students pictures of red woods. Here is a video from Arkive (a company based in the United Kingdom) on the plant life in redwood forests : http://www.arkive.org/coast-redwood/sequoia-sempervirens/video-00.html
If you don’t want the video, you can do a click through of the photos or a slide show: http://www.arkive.org/coast-redwood/sequoia-sempervirens/
This website can be used to gain more information about redwood trees. This website also includes a link to an informational page with an interactive picture of the various organisms that live in redwood forests. Not only will students learn about the redwood trees, but they will also become invested in how the story plays out.http://www.operationredwood.com/theredwoodforest.php
To enhance the experience of the redwoods, show your students pictures of red woods. Here is a video from Arkive (a company based in the United Kingdom) on the plant life in redwood forests : http://www.arkive.org/coast-redwood/sequoia-sempervirens/video-00.html
If you don’t want the video, you can do a click through of the photos or a slide show: http://www.arkive.org/coast-redwood/sequoia-sempervirens/
Resources:
Coast redwood video - Sequoia sempervirens -ARKive. (n.d.). ARKive - Discover the world's most endangered species. Retrieved July 30, 2013 from http://www.arkive.org/coast-redwood/sequoia-sempervirens/ video-00.html.
Dictionary.com - Free Online English Dictionary. (n.d.). Dictionary.com - Free Online English Dictionary. Retrieved July 30, 2013 from http://www.dictionary.com.
Interactive Forest Facts | Save the Redwoods League. (n.d.). Redwoods Learning Center | Save the Redwoods League. Retrieved July 30, 2013 from http://education.savetheredwoods.org/kit/edmap/index.php.
Jennifer and Dottie Raymer (1999). The big book of reproducible graphic organizers: 50 great templates to help kids get more out of reading, writing, social studies & more, 14. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.
Coast redwood video - Sequoia sempervirens -ARKive. (n.d.). ARKive - Discover the world's most endangered species. Retrieved July 30, 2013 from http://www.arkive.org/coast-redwood/sequoia-sempervirens/ video-00.html.
Dictionary.com - Free Online English Dictionary. (n.d.). Dictionary.com - Free Online English Dictionary. Retrieved July 30, 2013 from http://www.dictionary.com.
Interactive Forest Facts | Save the Redwoods League. (n.d.). Redwoods Learning Center | Save the Redwoods League. Retrieved July 30, 2013 from http://education.savetheredwoods.org/kit/edmap/index.php.
Jennifer and Dottie Raymer (1999). The big book of reproducible graphic organizers: 50 great templates to help kids get more out of reading, writing, social studies & more, 14. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.
Fiction