Teacher’s Guide for

A Dime a Dozen by Nikki Grimes

Illustrated by Angelo

 

 

Pre-reading:

 

Facilitate a discussion on dreams and ambitions. Some questions you might consider:

How do people encourage you? How can people discourage you? What qualities in a person make the difference whether dreams are pursued or not?  What are your dreams?

 

Comprehension Guide/ Quiz Questions:

 

Knowledge:

 

1. What is the main character’s dream?

  1. Identify the challenges the main character faces in making the dream come true.

 

Comprehension:

 

  1. Describe the main character’s relationship with her mom, dad and sister.
  2. Retell the key events in the book.

 

Application:

 

  1. What can you learn from the author and main character’s story?
  2. Give examples from the text that prove the main character’s determination.

 

Analysis:

 

  1. How would this book be different if it were written through the eyes of the sister?
  2. What does the author mean when she says in the poem “Stroll”, “I’m heading places/that aren’t marked/on my mother’s/ map.”

 

Synthesis:

 

  1. How is your life similar to the main characters? How is it different?
  2. How does the poem “The Last Word” represent more than just a conversation?

 

Evaluation:

 

  1. Which poem is the most inspiring to you? Why?
  2. Which illustration do you think best captures the emotion of the poem? Why?

 

 

 

Multiple Intelligence Projects for

A Dime a Dozen by Nikki Grimes

Illustrated by Angelo

 

 

Verbal/ Linguistic:

 

Write a poem about a member of your family. Learn from Ms. Grimes’ excellent example! Don’t just TELL us about the person SHOW us. Like a photograph made of words: a single moment that captures an aspect of your relationship. Be sure to write at least three (yes, THREE) drafts of the poem with significant changes shown through each metamorphosis! Experiment with line, rhythm, rhyme (though it is not necessary) and form. Reread A Dime a Dozen for inspiration!

 

Logical/ Mathematical:

 

Fill out the character form below on A Dime a Dozen or create a chart of your own that reveals aspects of this feisty writer.

 

Visual/ Spatial

 

Create an inspirational poster for a dream that you want to pursue. It can be completed in any medium (collage, paint, even sculpture) but it must somehow remind you of your goal. After the art is complete, write a short essay about what it means to you and where you will keep it to inspire you.

 

Body/ Kinesthetic

 

Play A Dime a Dozen charades. Make slips of paper with these scenes on them and then ONE person acts them out while others call out the name of the poem.

 

Hopscotch with dad  (Hopscotch)

Cooking- chop chop with Grandma (The Last Word)

Waking up sister to read to her a new poem (Genius)

Playing cards with mom (Gin Rummy)

Walking ahead of mom (Stroll)

 

-or-

 

In pairs write a reader’s theater script to go with one of the poems. At the end of your scene, read the poem aloud to the class.

 

Musical/ Rhythmic

 

Read “Music Lesson” and “Hair Prayer” notice the use of rhythm (and rhyme). Create a musical accompaniment for the two pieces using instruments (or electronic devices) that enhance the musical quality of these two poems. Perform. This can be a small group project, and can be submitted in an electronic format.

 

Interpersonal:

 

Research a career that you are interested in pursuing (or just exploring). Create a report about the following aspects of that position, and use the most compelling information to create a poster of your findings: education required, job responsibilities & functions, areas of the country where the position is most needed, skills & abilities, and salary (both starting and potential). (A great bulletin board, or hallway display)

 

Intrapersonal:

 

Create a timeline of your life but extend it past the present into the future where you show the dates you meet the steps in achieving your goal. Be SPECIFIC!  Think about both professional and personal goals. Remember to show your altruistic side when you make it BIG!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mathematical/ Logical Project for

A Dime a Dozen by Nikki Grimes

Illustrated by Angelo

 

  1. Choose five poems from A Dime a Dozen
  2. Read the character traits in the first column
  3. Color the corresponding block in the one that best shows how the main character

behaved

    

   

Title of Poem:

 

 

 

 

 

stubborn

 

 

 

 

 

 

cooperative

 

 

 

 

 

 

determined

 

 

 

 

 

 

independent

 

 

 

 

 

 

sympathetic

 

 

 

 

 

 

creative

 

 

 

 

 

 

brave

 

 

 

 

 

 

intelligent

 

 

 

 

 

 

observant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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