Teacher’s Guide for

Hopscotch Love by Nikki Grimes

Illustrated by Melodye Benson Rosales

 

 

Pre-reading:

 

Take a notebook piece of paper and fold it into at least six squares. In each section write the name of someone you love. Then, make a list of how they show you that you are cared for, and then on the back write about how you show them.

 

 

Comprehension Guide/ Quiz Questions:

 

Knowledge:

 

  1. Which poem is about an old photograph?
  2. Who was Medgar Evers?

 

Comprehension:

 

  1. List the different types of love that are explored in Hopscotch Love.
  2. Give examples of how affection is shown throughout the book, instead of just words.

 

Application:

 

  1. Create a card for someone and deliver as a random act of kindness for someone you don’t usually take the time to thank.
  2. Write a poem about a relationship you admire.

 

Analyze:

 

  1. Can you say who cares the most in the book Hopscotch Love? Can you really evaluate how much people love each other? Why or why not?
  2. Compare, “Why I Hate Jamel” and “The Gift” Predict what will happen next in each relationship.

 

Evaluation:

 

  1. Which poem is your favorite? Why?
  2. Which illustration do you think best captures the feelings expressed in the poem? Why?

 

 

 

Multiple Intelligence Projects for

Hopscotch Love by Nikki Grimes

Illustrated by Melodye Benson Rosales

 

 

Verbal/Linguistic

 

Take an oral history of at least two people in your family about how they met and fell in love. Keep for future generations.

 

Logical/Mathematical

 

Write a recipe poem about love or relationships: (directions and examples located at: http://www.tracievaughnzimmer.com/teacher_resources.htm#Recipe%20Poems )

 

Visual/ Spatial

 

Scrapbook Art: Create a scrapbook page about love- it can be people from your family or your own story. Include in your collage anything that you feel represents the relationship (movie tickets, letters, invitations, etc.)

 

Body/ Kinesthetic

 

Write a reader’s theater script for any of the poems found in Hopscotch Love. Then, act them out.

 

Musical/ Rhythmic

 

Bring in the lyrics to your favorite songs (be sure to follow school code for appropriateness of language!) and then discuss the poetic elements found within it. After that, if possible, listen to the music and continue the discussion about what the music itself adds to the meaning of the work.

 

Interpersonal:

 

Create a board game about Hopscotch Love. Be sure to make the questions specific and interesting. You can decide the game any way you like, but see that it measures the comprehension of your classmates. Spend one class period (at least) enjoying your creations!

 

Intrapersonal:

 

     On a long scroll like piece of paper or on fancy stationery make a list of all your best qualities as a person (at least 50). Be specific! Think about your relationships to the earth, family, friends, animals as well as yourself as you create your list. Keep and refer to it whenever you have a rotten day- it’s guaranteed to help lift your spirits.

 

 


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