Illustrated by: Scott Dawson
Copyright Date: 2011
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Lexile Reading Level:
Grade Recommendations: 4th or 5th Grade
Common Core State Standards:
Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
Suggested Delivery: Aloud or Independent
- canal: an artificial waterway for navigation, irrigation, etc.
- hurricane: a violent, tropical, cyclonic storm of the watern North Atlantic, having wind speeds of or in excess or 72 miles per hour
- evacuation: the act or process of evacuating, or the condition of being evacuated; discharge or expulsion, as of contents
- strangling: to kill by squeezing the throat in order to compress the windpipe and prevent the intake of air, as with the hands or a tightly drawn cord
- shipwrecked: the destruction or loss of a ship, as by sinking
- whimpering: to cry with low, plaintive, broken sounds
- mildew: any of similar coatings or discolorations, caused by fungi, as that which appears on fabrics, paper, leather, etc.
- levee: an embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a rive
- Before: The teacher should read the first chapter of the book to model the excitement and anticipation of the story.
- During: Students should take note of the important information in the story. This can include:
- After: Use the SPAWN model to give students a chance to reflect on the book.
- Special Powers: If you were the main character in the story, what special powers do you think would be helpful? Why?
- Problem Solving: What are some problem solving strategies that you could give Barry to help him through his problem?
- Alternative Viewpoints: Pick one of the other characters in the story. Write a few sentences from their viewpoint. How does this effect the story or the situation?
- What if: Ask a “What if…” question that is related to the story. Provide a few sentences to answer it.
- Next: If you were to continue the story, what would happen to Barry and his family next?
Writing Activity Suggestion: If this book was made into a movie, pick a song that would be on the soundtrack. The song must connect to the story. Explain the connection the song has.
- Facts about Hurricane Katrina – This is a great website to show students. It can be used for a follow up project about Hurricane Katrina.
- How Do Hurricanes Form? – Use this video to teach students about how hurricanes form. The video was published by National Geographic.
- Scholastic – If you would like to order the book or find out more information about it follow the link.
- The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912
- The Shark Attacks of 1916