Hidden

Hidden
Written by Helen Frost
Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2011

Secret, Crime, Love, Bond, Free verse

Summary:


Reading Level: Lexile Measure: HL670L
Suggested Delievery: Whole group/Independent

Teaching Strategies

a) Get your upper elementary students excited and interested in poetry!  Not only is this novel a quick read, but is written in free verse poetry which tells a compelling story of two girls, Darra and Wren, who surprisingly meet at summer camp.  As readers discover, these two girls are connected, by a crime committed by Darra’s father, stealing a minivan with Wren hiding in the backseat.  Years later, the girls are forced to confront this “hidden” past and call to front their suppressed memories of each other, bringing about a compelling novel.    

b) Since this book deals with crime and great fear, support students’ connections through discussions on their greatest fears as children and how these fears affected the way they conducted themselves. 

c) The comprehension strategies I have listed below has an emphasis on the author.  Direct the students to the website and allow them to explore: www.helenfrost.net

Comprehension Strategies:

Pre-Reading:

This novel is told using different viewpoints.  This may be a new concept for your students, as most novels are told from the narrator’s or main character’s point of view.  However, an element of good inferential comprehension is being able to determine the author’s purpose, as this is assessed in DRA’s.  What better way to introduce differing viewpoints than through the tale of the Three Little Pigs!  The students can examine the story though the eyes of the wolf and the three pigs.  Find a classic telling of the story, either in the form of a picture book or film for the 3 pigs viewpoint.  After, read the story from wolf’s point of view.  Ask the students to complete a venn diagram comparing and contrasting the two stories.  Use the venn diagrams (link included below) to fuel classroom discussion regarding the importance of recognizing the author’s viewpoint and how this is integrated into their purpose for writing, along with how this effects how we should interpret what we read. 

During reading:

Continue the trend of using a graphic organizer to separate different viewpoints.  The meters of poetry are separated by numbers to represent the passing of time.  Students can use these numbers to guide their thinking as they compare and contrast viewpoints and follow the girl’s changing relationship.

Post Reading:

At the end of the novel, Frost includes a 1-page section titled “Diving Deeper: Notes on Form”.  This section addresses the placement of words on the page, the significance of punctuation, length of lines, stanzas, and sentences.  Reread and examine parts of the novel to identify and fully grasp the “hidden” messages in the form of the poetry. 

Writing Activity:

Helen Frost visits schools! Not only does she do 40-60 minute presentations she focuses on their writing too! She will does poetry workshops where she will teach your students to write poetry! I believe this is an exceptional service and must be taken advantage of.  Full contact information can be found on her website at:

http://www.helenfrost.net/item.php?postid=20

 

Electronic Resources:

This video is a 10 minute interview of Helen Frost, explaining her path and purpose of writing poetry.  At the end of video, Frost reads a passage from Hidden.  Use this video to hook students on the novel, raising their interest level.

 

My pre-reading activity was inspired by this comprehensive lesson on readwritethink.org.  This link also provides a link to a virtual venn diagram. 
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/wolf-analyzing-point-view-23.html?tab=1#tabs