Third Grade Angels

Written by Jerry Spinelli and Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell

Published by Scholastic Inc., 2012

This is the story of Suds and the rest of his classmates in their year as third grade angels. They are given the opportunity to earn halos throughout the year. The question on everyone's mind is, who is going to get that very first halo? Suds and some of his classmates go all out trying to be the one who gets the first halo of the year. Read on to find out who it is. 

Lexile Level: 390L
Age Range: 7-9 years
Page Count: 134
Suggested Delivery: Read-Aloud

Key Words: Angels, Competition, School, Funny, Change.

Internet Resources:
Jerry Spinelli Scholastic Page
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/jerry-spinelli
This is Jerry Spinelli's scholastic author page. This can be used by the students before reading the book to get to know the author or it can be used after reading the book for the students to find out about the other books that he has written that they might enjoy.
Scholastic Book Page
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/third-grade-angels#cart/cleanup
This is a great resource for the teacher because it has a great summary of the book that could be used to get the readers excited about the book as well as a link to a list of discussion questions that can be used.

Vocabulary:

• Impression: an idea, or feeling about someone or something, usually based on very little evidence. 
• Halo: a circle, usually of light, surrounding someones head, showing they are a saint.
• Good Deed: something that is done or accomplished with the best of intentions. 
• Observant: quick to notice things.
• Shock: a sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
• Bribe: to persuade someone to act in your favor. 

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Have students come up with their own rhyme for each of the grades in elementary school like the one in the book as a class.
2. Ask students to read Fourth Grade Rats on their own and after everyone has finished reading it have the students have discussions in groups of 4 or 5 about the change that takes place from third grade to fourth grade and how the main character changes between the books. 
3. Have students work in groups of 4 to come up with their own Reader's Theater scene that they think should have been in the book. They have to make sure that the way they portray the characters are the same as how they are portrayed in the book. 

Reading Strategies:

1. Before: Before reading the book read the title and the back of the book to the students and then show them the cover. Have the students predict what is going to happen in the book. 
2. During: Complete many think-alouds as you read the story out-loud to the class by making predictions, clarifying something you think might be challenging for the students, visualizing parts, making personal responses, questioning the text, summarizing at the end of each read-aloud, and making connections.  
3. After: Have the students engage in a debate over who they thought should have won the first halo of the year. Have them get into groups of who they believe should have won and using the book find evidence that supports their opinion before having a debate with the other groups. 

Writing Activity:
Have the students put themselves in the shoes of the main character Suds and have them write about how he has changed over the course of the book. At the end of that ask them to make a prediction based on how they think Suds' year will go in the fourth grade as a fourth grade rat.