“Women must try to
do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a
challenge to others.” (Amelia Earhart)
Amelia Earhart: This
Broad Ocean
Written
by Sarah Stewart Taylor
& Eileen Collins (introduction)
& Eileen Collins (introduction)
Illustrated by Ben Towle
Published
by Hyperion Press, 2010
Strength,
Ambition, Dreams, Flying, Pioneer
Summary:
Amelia
Earhart has always loved to fly, her story is inspirational to women everywhere
and proves to anyone that with determination you can achieve your goals. This is a graphic novel, told through words
and images. The story mainly focuses on
Earhart’s epic flight across the Atlantic Ocean, as she was the first to do
so. The cliffhanger ending touches on
Amelia Earhart’s mysterious disappearance.
Reading Level: Lexile Measure: GN1080L
Suggested
Delivery:
Independent reading
Key
Vocabulary:
Obstacles, Competitors, Plagued, Telegram, Petrol, Moxie
Teaching
Strategies:
a)
Graphic novels may be a new format of reading for students, one which they have
not yet encountered. However, ensure
your students they are familiar with the layout by connecting it to their
favorite comic strips.
b)
Time Magazine has recently published an article about Amelia Earhart in the
present day. They have renewed the
search for her plane, I feel this will make the book relatable for
students.
c)
To provide students with background knowledge, the class could read the front
page article in the NY Times, originally published in June 1928. To further set the stage, the front page also
includes other important events that were occurring at that time.
d)
Read this novel during women’s history month.
Incorporate it into discussion about women role models, heros, along
with the impact and greatness women bring to “her-story.”
Comprehension
Strategies:
Pre-Reading:
As
this is a nonfiction text, implement a K-W-L chart in order for students to
keep track of facts, avoiding misconceptions.
During
reading:
As
events progress in the book, students should develop a timeline, chronicling
the events.
Post
Reading:
After
reading, students should complete the –K portion of their chart. Ask students to share their charts with each
other.
Writing
Activity:
To demonstrate their
literal and inferential comprehension, in writing, students should answer questions
found in a Discussion Guide that parallels the novel. These twelve questions assess students’
literal comprehension (for example, Explain
why Earhart and her team have so much difficulty getting airborne.
How do they try to solve the issues?) along with their
inferential comprehension (For example,
Determine how Amelia Earhart became interested in flying. Do you think her
father regretted introducing it to her
or not? Why?)
The link can be found below.
Electronic
Resources:
1)
The March 2012 article about recent developments on Amelia Earhart, which I
mentioned in the “teaching strategies” portion of this post, can be found at
the link below:
2)
The printable, front-page article from the New York Times also mentioned in the
“teaching strategies” portion can be found online at:
3)
The questions used in the writing activity are found at the link below. This a discussion guide for the whole book,
so check it out! It has more than just review questions.
Taylor, S. S., & Towle, B. (2010). Amelia Earhart:
this broad ocean. New York: Disney/Hyperion Books.
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