The Best and Most Beautiful Things in the World

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.  --Helen Keller

Who Was Helen Keller? This spring, fourth graders are exploring a title from the popular Who Was? series.  Our Reading Road Trip biography tells Helen Keller’s life story, describing her childhood loss of sight and hearing and her learning of communication skills with the help of teacher Annie Sullivan. The inspiring narrative follows Helen as she works to earn a college degree and as she reaches out to help others with disabilities.

After reading the book, Reading Road Trippers have been creating amazing projects and earning points for their teams.  Check out a Sign Language Alphabet video, researched and performed by Ella D.

When she was just two years old, Helen Keller became deaf and blind.  She lived in a confusing world of silence and darkness. With the help and patience of teacher Annie Sullivan, Helen learned to read, to write, and to do many remarkable things. 



Helen Keller Facts by Morgan R.



Historical fiction inspired by the life of Helen Keller: Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Elizabeth Miller.  At age twenty-one, lonely and partially blind, Annie Sullivan travels from Massachusetts to Alabama to teach six-year-old Helen Keller self-discipline and communication skills.

Learn more about Annie Sullivan in Helen’s Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller’s Teacher by Marfe Ferguson Delano.  Photographs, illustrations, and text chronicle the life of Helen Keller's tutor, Annie Sullivan. 

Explore a biography in graphic novel format: Helen Keller: Courageous Advocate by Scott L. Welvaert.  A brief biography of Helen Keller, following her life, her struggles with blindness and deafness, and her many achievements in spite of her disability.

Braille Alphabet Poster by Rebecca B.

Let's take a look at a Mini Photo Biography, researched and narrated by Henry G.

After reading the book, Hailey C. created an acrostic poem about Helen Keller:

   Had a helpful teacher

   Eye disorder

   Language impairment and loving

   Ear disorder

   Never gave up

   Knowledgeable

   Eager to learn

   Learned well

   Long time to overcome language impairment

   Encouraging

   Ready for anything

Braille Poster Project by Thomas R.

Coconuts for Calvin: We're Invited to a Reading Luau!

Let's pack our bright printed shirts, our swaying grass hula skirts, and an armful of fragrant flower leis.  Reading Road Trip is taking a long flight-- halfway across the Pacific Ocean-- to the island paradise of Hawaii, our beautiful fiftieth state.  
We'll surf the spectacular waves and sun ourselves on the sparkling sand beaches!  We'll party at a pig roast and pick fresh pineapples!

Calvin Coconut Poster by Amy G.; Diorama by Katie O.

And then, we’ll check out Fourth Grade Reading Road Trip favorite Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury!  It's a full-of-fun chapter book about a boy growing up in Kailua, Hawaii, with his mom and little sister.  Calvin’s mom wants Calvin to be “the man of the house” and to be responsible, but comical situations and trouble seem to follow him wherever he goes.  We can learn more about award-winning author Graham Salisbury at his website.  Click on the red-highlighted words to get started.

Take a look at an Author Interview,

created and performed by Rachel and Amy:

Calvin catches the attention of the school bully on the day before he returns to school in “Mr. Purdy’s Fourth-Grade Boot Camp.” Meanwhile, at home,  the unfriendly teenage daughter of his mom’s best friend-- also known as live-in babysitter Stella-from-Texas-- has taken over Calvin’s room and his turf.

Hawaii by Morgan R.

When I was going to Hawaii in first grade, I couldn't wait to get to the hotel.  Once we got there, I saw a big pool, a huge room, and a great view!  The next day, we went on a boat ride.  We saw some big turtles.  The driver even let my sister Bridget and I drive the boat.  After that, we went to a cheeseburger place.  Later that day, we went down to the beach because it was super hot out.  We did a lot of other stuff, too.  I can't wait until we go back to Hawaii!

Calvin Coconut: Dog Heaven: Calvin creates an interesting way to express his desire for a dog after his teacher asks him to write a persuasive essay about something he really wants. 

Postcard from Hawaii by Amy G.

Calvin Coconut: Hero of Hawaii: When a hurricane causes the river near his Hawaiian home to flood, Calvin Coconut makes a daring rescue.

Book Advertisement by Blair B.

Calvin Coconut: Kung Fooey: Calvin learns about teasing and standing up for others when a new student joins his class.  In the meantime, live-in-babysitter Stella-from-Texas practices for her driving test.

Calvin Coconut by Rachel O.

Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix: Calvin tries to earn money to buy Stella-from-Texas a present for her sixteenth birthday because he feels guilty for taking advantage of her cat allergy.

Volcano by Emily L.

Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath: When Calvin gets a school assignment to do original research, he decides to investigate his dog's stinky breath and ends up learning about more than smells.

Calvin Coconut: Food Fight by Amy

It’s coming on March 13^th!  Calvin Coconut: Man Trip: Calvin flies from Oahu to the big island of Hawaii to go deep-sea fishing trip with his mother's boyfriend and learns to appreciate other living creatures--especially one enormous marlin.

Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet, Chapter 11 Scene by Rachel and Amy

 More Fiction from the Aloha State!

The Mystery in Hawaii: The 50^th State by Carole Marsh.  Siblings Grant and Christina travel to the Hawaiian Islands with their grandparents, Mimi and Papa, where they learn about the history of Hawaii, but as they explore volcanoes and beaches, they uncover a mystery.

High Tide in Hawaii by Mary Pope Osborne.  Jack and Annie travel in their magic tree house back to a Hawaiian island of long ago where they make friends, learn how to surf, and encounter a tsunami.

Calvin Coconut Poem: Get the Kite by Amy

I grabbed the kite

It pulled me away

I got pulled and tugged in every way.

I got covered in sand

Scratched up and kind of bloody.

I'll never forget this day.

I ended up okay.

But getting all bruised up

Was not the way I planned

To start my day.

Calvin Coconut Diorama by Blair B.