Blooms Literacy

Dex: The Heart of a Hero

Written By: Caralyn Buehner
Illustrated By: Mark Buehner
HarperCollins Publishers
READ 3311-320
Jodi Brown & Tana Brown
October 22, 2015

Second Grade ELAR TEKS

(9) Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Fiction. Students understand, make inferences and
draw conclusions about the structure and elements of fiction and provide evidence from text to
support their understanding. Students are expected to:
(B) describe main characters in works of fiction, including their traits, motivations, and feelings.

(17) Writing/Writing Process. Students use elements of the writing process (planning, drafting,
revising, editing, and publishing) to compose text. Students are expected to:
(A) plan a first draft by generating ideas for writing (e.g., drawing, sharing ideas, listing key ideas);
(B) develop drafts by sequencing ideas through writing sentences;
(C) revise drafts by adding or deleting words, phrases, or sentences;
(D) edit drafts for grammar, punctuation, and spelling using a teacher-developed rubric; and
(E) publish and share writing with others.

Second Grade ELAR TEKS

(21) Oral and Written Conventions/Conventions. Students understand the function of and use the
conventions of academic language when speaking and writing. Students continue to apply earlier
standards with greater complexity. Students are expected to:
(A) understand and use the following parts of speech in the context of reading, writing, and speaking:
(iii) adjectives (e.g., descriptive: old, wonderful; articles: a, an, the)

(29) Listening and Speaking/Speaking. Students speak clearly and to the point, using the
conventions of language. Students continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity.
Students are expected to share information and ideas that focus on the topic under discussion,
speaking clearly at an appropriate pace, using the conventions of language.
(30) Listening and Speaking/Teamwork. Students work productively with others in teams. Students
continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity. Students are expected to follow agreedupon rules for discussion, including listening to others, speaking when recognized, and making
appropriate contributions.

Second Grade SS TEKS

(13) Citizenship. The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as
exemplified by historical figures and other individuals. The student is expected
to:
(D) identify ways to actively practice good citizenship, including involvement in
community service.

Second Grade PE TEKS

(4) Physical activity and health. The student knows the benefits from
involvement in daily physical activity and factors that affect physical
performance. The student is expected to:
(A) identify how regular physical activity strengthens the heart, lungs, and muscular
system

Summary
Dexter was a very small dog. Nobody wanted to play with him because he could
not keep up. Even Cleevis the cat made fun of him. But Dexter had big dreams of
being a hero, and he was determined he would become one. Dex started training
by reading about superheroes and exercising as much as he could. Then, when
he got his hero suit, he was ready to save the day. He did a lot of little things to
help his neighborhood, but Cleevis still teased him. Then, one day, it was Cleevis
who needed saving. Even though Cleevis always made fun of him, Dex was still
willing to help. Cleevis finally saw how much of a hero Dexter really was and asked
to be his partner.

Remembering
Question: What words were used to describe Dex before and after he became a
hero?
Activity: With a partner, paint a picture of Dex and label it with five adjectives
that describe Dex. (ELAR 21Aiii, 9B, 30)

Brave
Strong
Fast
Little
Helpful

Understanding
Question: Explain why Dex needed to exercise.
Activity: Draw a picture of an exercise you like to do. Write in your own words
why it is important. (PE 4A).

Strong heart
Get stronger
Be healthy

Applying
Question: What were the heroic acts that Dex performed and how do they help
the community?
Activity: In groups of three, act out a service or project that can help the
community. (SS 13D, ELAR 30)

Analyzing
Question: Why did Cleevis change his mind about Dex?
Activity: With your partner, act out how Cleevis behaved toward Dex at the
beginning of the book and at the end of the book. (ELAR 9B, 30)

Beginning: made fun of

Dex
End: thankful for Dex

Evaluating
Question: If you were Dex, would you have helped Cleevis get down from the
tree?
Activity: Rank these superheros from your favorite to your least favorite. Explain
to the class why you put the superheros in this order. (ELAR 29)

Superman
Wonderwoman
Batman
Captain America
Spiderman
Black Widow
Add your own

Creating
Question: If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be and how
would you use it?
Activity: Draw a picture and write a story about your superhero to make into a
book about the superheroes in our classroom. (ELAR 17)

Dex: The Heart of a Hero Links

http://buehnerbooks.com/

To learn more about the author and the illustrator

To learn about more of their books

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/pet-central/

To learn more about pets, including dogs and cats

http://www.cdc.gov/bam/index.html

To learn more about being healthy and fit

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/games/

To find fun games that get children up and moving

Resources
http://tea.texas.gov/curriculum/teks/