Secrets on Book Talk Thursday

Yes, that is right!  Today's Book Talk Thursday is all about secrets!  Read on to find out more about the secrets I have in store for you!

I have had the privilege of working with fifth graders this year, and this is the first year they take the state writing test.  So, I have been focusing a lot on writing for various reasons, even if it is just the beginning of an idea.  This week we have been working with one of my favorite books, The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups.
In this book, David Wisniewski goes undercover to find out the secrets to the rules parents tell their children.  He finds out why parents say things like, "Eat your vegetables" and "Don't pick your nose".  And we, as grown-ups always tell our children a good reason like "They are good for you" or "It is disgusting".  But do children know the real reasons?  How about "To keep vegetables from taking over the world" or "It will deflate your brain".  Yes, we all know those are the real reasons!  And now our children can find out!

I loved reading this to the fifth graders.  They "got it", unlike my third graders did.  The best is when I showed them it was from the nonfiction section of the library.  I wonder how many of those kids went home and asked their parents about the "real rules".  **Disclaimer:  There is one "bad" word in the book and some inappropriate humor.  I skipped over those parts when I read it. **

I found this wonderful lesson on Writing Fix.  If you have never visited this site, you must!  There is a plethora of wonderful writing lessons all for free!  Yes, FrEe!  After reading the book, I had the students think of a rule their parents have and the real reasons for them in their writer's notebooks.  Then, they had to think of what the secret reason would be for that rule.  After they are finished in their writer's notebooks, we will move it to the fun writing paper I created for them to use.

And you benefit from the fun freebie!  I have created a planning page and writing page to use with the book.  You can download it by clicking {here} or on the image below.
I cannot wait to see what the fifth graders come up with!  I may even get them to illustrate them and put them into a book!  How fun!!

So, which grown-up rule would you like explained? 
Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

5 comments

  1. This sounds like a lot of fun! Would love to try it out on my fifth graders! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Enjoy it! My fifth graders had a lot of fun with it!

      Andrea

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing this! I can not wait to use it!

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    1. You are welcome! I hope your students enjoy it!

      Andrea

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  3. I've seen that book so many times, but I still haven't read it. Must check it out, and thanks for sharing your freebie!

    Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late
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