On the playground one day, Jack tells his teacher, Miss Jane, all about the amazing school he would build if he were given the chance. Told in humorous rhyme, If I Built a School is a whimsical story about making decisions for the benefit of the group—and in the name of fun.
This inspiring picture biography talks about the accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806), who was born a free man in Maryland during a time when many African Americans were enslaved. Benjamin was very curious about the world around him. After examining a pocket watch, Benjamin decides he wants to build his own striking clock. Using his mathematical skills, his powers of observation and problem-solving, and the resources from his own backyard, Benjamin succeeds in building a clock after nearly two years of work. Ticktock Banneker’s Clock gives readers a glimpse into the life of a man who persevered despite setbacks and used his ingenuity and organizational skills to achieve a goal. From her first climbs at the age of six, Ashima Shiraishi has shown an extraordinary gift for rock climbing, and gradually gained fame and awards because of it. The way she “solves problems”—her way of thinking of a rock climb—makes it seem easy. But in this first-person narrative, Ashima describes the immense effort, imagination, and mental discipline that must be applied to each climb.
Teacher’s Guide • 17
Teacher’s Guide Sampler 9
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