Nonfiction Form ​(​Biography and Nonfiction Books)

Your Name: Alma Gutierrez Perez Title: Ox, House, Stick The History of Our Alphabet
Author: Don Robb Illustrator: Anne Smith
Publisher/Date: Charlesbridge, 2007 Genre: Information Books
EVALUATE THE BOOK USING THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS
1. Explain how the ​cover and first pages​​ of the book attract and hold the reader’s interest. Give 3
examples from the book

1. The cover shows pictures and the letters in the word alphabet are all written in a different format, also
the letter are all in different colors as well.
2. The first page shows fun pictures of two people communicating through the use of signs. Also
illustrated are other symbols such as door signs and traffic signs that we use in these modern times to
communicate directions and rules.
3. You also gather information on the development of our writing. First we used pictures to communicate
but we could not explain what “yesterday” through the use of paintings so people discovered that
turning pictures into symbols to represent the sounds of language was more effective.
STYLE AND LANGUAGE – Explain how the book shares information with children. Examples: “little-known
facts;” new vocab sprinkled in the text; and selection of information to create/maintain reader’s interest.
Give 3 examples from the book
1. One of the fun things found in this book is “sound pictures” are written symbols we call these letters
and they represent sounds that make up our words.
2. All letters used in language is an alphabet. This is a well known fact.
3. The alphabet used in English today goes all the way back to the ancient middle east. Also shows how
the writing of the letters has changed.
ACCURACY – up-to-date research, references given, no mixing of fact and fiction.
Explain:
Sources used to write the book are cited in the back. Books for children and adults are available.
Dugan, William. How Our Alphabet Grew: The History of the Alphabet. Houston: Golden Press, 1972.
Fisher, Leonard Everett. Alphabet Art: Thirteen ABCs from Around the World. New York: Four Winds Press,
1978.
Ogg, Oscar. The 26 Letters. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1948.
INFORMATION – Child’s interest, unusual subjects or viewpoints - personalized content – new perspectives,
first-person accounts, and fascinating comparisons. Give 3 examples from the book.
1. The alphabet was created by people called Sinaitic (“living in Sinai”) it is believed to trace back to 1500
B.C. These people were familiar with Egyptian pictures which was the inspiration for the alphabet they
developed with a total of 18 letters.
2. A people called Phoenicians lived on the Mediterranean coast near Sinai. They adapted the Sinaitic
alphabet to their language. Their alphabet spread and soon was adapted by the Greeks.
3. The Greek language was very different from the Phoenicians the influence from their alphabet cannot
be ignored. Soon all around the Mediterranean the Greeks used the alphabet for business and in
government. Soon Rome became the most powerful of people as they expanded to Portugal, Spain,
France and all parts of Europe and the expansion of their alphabet, based on the Greek letters.
EVALUATE THE BOOK FOR ILLUSTRATION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Media (​ paints, pencils, pen, watercolors, charcoal, photographs, crayon, acrylics, chalk, oils​​):
Watercolors and pencil are used to illustrate this book.
Visual elements​​ ​(line, shapes, colors, textures):
Horizontal and vertical lines are seen in the different kinds of letters given to us by the Sinaitic, Phoenicians,
Greeks, and Romans. The evolution of every letter is shown to us in every page. Some pages illustrate the hills in
a desert landscapes. Other pages show us flowing water with ships and people migrating to different places,
spreading their language to new people. The desert colors are soft and calming. A lot of shading is used the
illustrations therefor are very muted.
How are ​i​llustration and text​​ combined to share the information? What does illustration show that text does not explain?
The illustrations and text go very well together to explain. I love the 5 different ways there are to write the same
letter. The evolution of the letters we use now is quite fascinating.
Describe the ​Page design: ​ use of borders, text placement and font size, information boxes, charts, vocab identified, use of white and
dark space, illustrations placement and types of illustrations:
No borders are used. The text is strategically placed to surround the drawings. The main letter or letters are
about an inch long and half an inch wide on the top left corner of the page. The previous way to write the letter
is shown in order from Sinaitic, Phoenician, Early Greek, Classical Greek, to Roman underneath our modern
letter used today. Information boxes are very colorful and standout. The illustrations of people show us the way
people dressed at the time.
2. Child Development Theories​​ –Select 1 theory
Jean Piaget-Cognitive Theorist
Identify the stage: ​Preoperational ​ and age level: 2 ​ to 7 years of age for the theory.
Explain the development for this level.
Language and vocabulary develop, as well as concepts such as friendships, good , bad, sharing, etc.
Explain how the book fits the developmental level.
The books focus is the development of language much like the development that a child goes through
as they begin to search for the words to use in order to be understood. Much like the beginning of
language children look for pictures of the objects that they want.
Give 3 specific examples from the book to support your evaluation.

1.​​ Much like the beginning of language children look for pictures of the objects that they want or need. The
pictures that were used by the Egyptians, was a way to record or show important cultural traditions.
2. ​Also we teach children the words to the sounds they make so they to can understand and follow the
expectations of the society they will be living in.
3. ​Through words and language we can communicate with each other and try to keep peace and respect each
other.
3. OVERALL RATING (3 high, 1 low) 1 2 ​3

Explain the rating:

I love how easy it is to follow the information. I love that we can see the way letters used to be written. It gives a
lot of fun information to share with children.

BOOK EXTENSION ACTIVITY - LESSON PLAN

Your Name: Alma Gutierrez Perez Genre of the Book: ​Information

Book Title: ​Ox, House, Stick The History of our Alphabet

Author: ​ Don Robb

Publisher: ​Charlesbridge Date: ​2007

nd​​
1. Pre-K/ CCSD K-2​​ Grade Core Standards:
SS.3.23. Describe how various cultures have interacted with and influenced each other.

2. Objectives:
SWBAT -
The students will be able to identify hieroglyphic symbols and compare the evolution of the
alphabet.

3. Materials/Equipment:
● Ox, House, Stick The History of Our Alphabet
● http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/learning-activities/history/
ancient-egypt/writing-in-hieroglyphs/
● Cardstock paper cut in strips to make a bookmark
● Markers
● Laminating sheets

4. Teaching​​:

A. Reading the book-

● Today we will be reading Ox, House, Stick The History of Our Alphabet.
● We will be learning about the origins of our current alphabet.
● What do you think of the letters?
● Have they changed much over the centuries?
● What is your favorite letter?
B. Extension activity:
● Students will compare letters and spell words using the Sinaitic, Phoenician, Greeks and
Roman people’s alphabets.
● Students will go to this website
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/learning-activities/history/
ancient-egypt/writing-in-hieroglyphs/
● Students will now spell their names using the hieroglyphic symbols on one side of the
paper.
● On the other side students will write their name using either Sinaitic, Phoenician, Greek
or the Roman alphabet.
● Next students will color or outline the letters of their name.
● Last thing will be to laminate their bookmark.
● Teacher will walk around and assist as needed.

5. Closure:
● Students will gather together and put themselves in alphabetical order.
● One by one they will show their finished bookmark to the class.
Short Form ​(All Genres)
Your Name ​Alma Gutierrez Perez
Title: Little Hands Flowers Author: ​Rachel Matthews
Illustrator / Photographer: ​Ray Moller Publisher/Year: ​ Chrysalis Education
Genre: ​Information Book

Summarize the content of the book –

For Fiction Form Genres—Explain the characters, the setting, theme and plot of the
book.
For Poetry Books: Explain the type(s) of poetry and give examples from the book of
fun word choices, lines of poetry and imagery from the poem(s)
For Nonfiction Genres – Explain the information given, how it is shared-what design
You can find flowers in homes, parks, the woods, in buildings decorating all that surrounds them.
Flowers grow on plants and trees, some even grow on plants that live in ponds. Flowers vary in shape
and size, their petal could be large and sturdy or delicate. A flower starts off as a seed or a bulb, all
you need to do is keep the soil damp and most of the time a flower will begin to grow. Once the
flower matures a bud will form. Inside the bud are the petals, that will open or bloom into the flowers
we know. The orange dust found inside flowers is called pollen. The pollen is needed to produce new
seeds, insects and other animals distribute the pollen and the seeds. The many different colors of
flowers attract insects and birds. Some flowers have a strong smell such as lavender and some roses,
while others like pansies and scarlet gilia have no scent. Humans like to make perfume and shampoo
from the scented oils we get from flowers. Once the flower begins to dry out, the seeds are left and
we can begin to plant and water once more.

Explain how the book appeals to children, their interests, developmental levels, fun
illustrations etc. Give specific examples from the book:
Most children are naturally attracted to the bright colors in Flowers. The book is full of all different
kinds of flowers. It shows trees with flowers, potted flowers, even lily pads that grow on plants in the
water. The book mentions that some flowers have scent while others don’t. It would be fun for
children to learn themselves which flowers have scent and which do not. Children can also feel the
difference between a seeds and bulbs and even plant them and watch the flowers grow.

Rate the book 1 ​2 ​ 3

Explain your rating.
I enjoyed the book as it is easy to read and follow for a child. I just wish there would have been more
information on the many insects and birds that are attracted to the flowers.