The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco

Literature and Author Study WebQuest
created by Mrs. Ella Baldwin

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process| Evaluation | Conclusion

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco is a holiday story about a family that helps others in a time of need even though their cultural backgrounds and beliefs are different. Patricia Polacco recalls information about her own family to create a story that touches your heart. This webquest is designed to introduce you to Patricia Polacco, her books, another culture and special holidays.

Listen as the teacher reads aloud The Trees of the Dancing Goats. Discuss the book. What did we learn from the book? What are some things we are going to learn more about?

• The teacher will read aloud The Trees of the Dancing Goats and discuss.
• You will visit Patricia Polacco's website to learn about the author and her work.
• You will learn about and compare Georgia, Michigan and Russia.
• You will compare the weather in these places.
• You will learn about and compare Hanukkah and Christmas.
• You will read other Patricia Polacco books and choose one to write a report on.
• You will have some fun at Patricia Polacco's website.

• http://www.patriciapolacco.com/index.htm
• http://www.holidays.net/christmas
• http://www.holidays.net/chanukah
• http://www.coloringcastle.com/pdfs/us_states/united_states_blank.pdf
• http://www.weather.com
• http://www.britannica.com/
• Student Writing Center or other word processing software
• http://www.50states.com
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/world/outlinemap/

Part 1 Patricia Polacco's life and work

• Print out the Patricia Polacco scavenger hunt questions. Click here.
• Answer Questions about her life (#1-16.) Click here
• Answer Questions about her home ( #17-21) Click here
• Answer Questions about her work (#22-24) Click here

 Now that you've learned about Patricia Polacco, let's compare her state, our state and the country of her grandparents.

Part 2 Michigan, Georgia and Russia

• Go to map page and print out world map. Click here
• Using the worksheet and a world map or atlas, identify the location of Michigan, Georgia and Russia. Color Michigan blue, Georgia green and Russia orange.
• Print out the comparison chart for Michigan, Georgia and Russia. Click here
• Click here to get facts about Georgia
• Click here to get facts about Michigan
• Use the World Book Encyclopedia - computer edition- to complete the comparison chart for Russia.
• Print out the weather chart. Click here
• Go to the weather page each day for a week and complete the chart. Click here for the weather

Now that we know a little about these places, let's learn about Christmas and Hanukkah, the two holidays discussed in the story.

Part 3 Christmas and Hanukkah

• Print out and complete the comparison chart for Christmas and Hanukkah. Click here
• To find information on Christmas Click here
• To find information on Hanukkah Click here
• Use Student Writing Center and write about a special holiday or holiday tradition in your family. Illustrate with one picture/clipart. Print it.

Part 4 Other Patricia Polacco Books

• Print out a book report form. Click here
• Choose a book from the classroom or library by Patricia Polacco. Read it and complete the form.

Part 5 Just for fun

• Go to Patricia Polacco's web page and print out a bookmark. Click here
• Go to Patricia Polacco's web page and print out a coloring sheet. Click here
• Send a postcard to someone telling them fun information about Patricia Polacco or one of her books. Click Here

• Print off the checklist. Click here
• The teacher will check off each completed item.
• All items will be compiled into a portfolio to be shared with parents.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about Patricia Polacco and reading her books. She is a terrific children's author. The Trees of the Dancing Goats is a very special holiday story.

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