Hero Dog!

This Literature Study is based on the SSYRA Jr. Book, Hero Dog! by Hilde Lysiak with help from her father, Matthew Lysiak, and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. It is an illustrated early chapter book. What I like most about this book is that it was written by a child! The story line is very simple and easy to follow. Perfect for those budding journalists to learn the steps involved in following a story from idea to publication. Hilde's father is the co-author and a professional reporter who used to work for the New York Daily News. This helps to provide a level of authenticity to the process of investigation that Hilde uses to write her own news stories for her self-published online newspaper, the Orange Street News. Hilde is not only the author, but the main character in the book. And throughout the book, Hilde is constantly adding information to her Reporter's Notepad as she discovers the answers to the six crucial questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?.

You can find the Hero Dog! Literature Study at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Title: Hero Dog!

Author: Hilde Lysiak with Matthew Lysiak

Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

ISBN: 978-0-606-40665-9

Appeals to Ages: 6-8

Lexile Level: 510L

Reading Level: Grade 2

If you enjoyed Hilde and her investigation in the Hero Dog!, you will be glad to know that this is just the first in a series of illustrated early chapter books by the young author. The series is published by Branches, a division of Scholastic Inc. Here are the books currently available in this series:

1. Hero Dog!
2. Bear on the Loose!
3. Fire! Fire!
4. UFO Spotted!
5. Tornado Hits!
6. Thief Strikes!

Besides the language arts opportunities, which is what my literature study focuses on, there is a wonderful cross curricular connection to Math with telling time, and Geography with map skills. Being that this book is about the investigation that proceeds the writing of a news story, this book also lends itself nicely to the use of newspapers in the classroom.

Paired Readings
There are a number of children's picture books that can be used to further explore the idea of a newspapers and a news worthy story. Some of my favorites are listed below.



If one the other hand, your looking for a chapter book to read aloud with your class or recommend to those students looking for a little more of a challenge, then you may want to consider The Landry News by Andrew Clements.



Looking to provide your students with more practice reading and comprehending news type articles. Then check out these books.




If you class is inspired to start their own newspaper, then you may find the following resources useful.




Another option is to have your class learn more about famous investigative journalists. Especially other young women like Hilde. Nellie Bly, also from Pennsylvania, and Ida B. Wells are at the top of my list. You can find out more about them in the books below.



There is no shortage of literature when it comes to hero dogs. Here are some of my favorite nonfiction texts.

    

And if you want to throw some more fictional accounts into the mix, the following books are sure to be a hit.



Manipulatives
If you are looking for some dress up items to add to your collection, these would fit with the investigative theme of Hero Dog!.



Consider adding an investigative game as a center option. Anything from the Classic Clue to a puzzle or two.
    


Just a few novelty items for an educational incentive.



 Other Media   
I thought it would be easy to locate videos to support this theme. I wasn't wrong in that there are myriad related videos available. My biggest problem was finding one that I thought would be age appropriate for primary age students. After much searching, I did come across this cute video, and it had me Feeling Good! too.

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