ZIGZAG

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciFirst GradeOutcome:Students will participate in a writing activity that compares the main characters found in different books.The book, Corduroy, by Don Freeman will be read prior to Zigzag and the themes of character, setting,problem (appearance, isolation, loneliness), and resolution need to be discussed.Materials:The book CorduroyFollow-Up Activity worksheet—Two Different Venn Diagram worksheetsColor Print of Dolls to Compare teacher versionColor Print of Dolls to Compare student worksheetIntroductory Activity:• Teacher displays the provided color print of dolls, puppets, and/or pictures sets, for students tocompare.o In creating picture sets, choose pictures that offer similarities and differences.o For example, the puppets may be dressed alike; however, their facial expressions, clothes,or size may differ.• Ask students to make comparisons about the dolls, puppets or picture sets.• If using the Color Print of Dolls to Compare student worksheet, students note and recorddifferences.• After receiving responses from half the class, teacher points out that the differences noted aremost likely observations based on physical or outside appearance.• Students will form opinions based on what they can observe and their prior knowledge.• Can comparisons about personality be made? Can we compare attitudes? Feelings? Hopes?• Teacher highlights the difficulty in comparing individuals based only on outside appearance.Teacher Reading of Story:Teacher encourages students to remember the lessons in Corduroy and listen for character, setting,problem, and resolution.• Both main characters are victims of their appearance.• How others view them causes their conflict.• Each character embarks on a journey that leads to a final solution.1 of 7© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciFirst GradeBUILDING COMPREHENSIONPredicting Outcomes:• Based on your first impression of Zigzag’s appearance, can you predict what type of story thiswill be?• Why do you think the author only created one of Zigzag’s character and multiples of the otherdolls?• Before meeting the other dolls, how does Zigzag feel about himself?• When do you think Zigzag first felt important and demonstrated self-confidence? Can you thinkof two examples?• Can you predict what type of lessons the little girl might learn from Zigzag?• Now that Zigzag has found a home, how do you think his life will change?• What will happen to Zigzag next?• What is Zigzag looking for?Checking Comprehension:• Why did the owl carry Zigzag into the sky?• Why did the owl let him go?• Who found Zigzag after he was dropped by the owl?• Where did the mice take Zigzag?Characterization:The first time we see Zigzag, he appears to have a sad look on his face. His sadness may stem from hisfacial expression, or it might be related to his feelings of not being accepted. Could it be both? FollowZigzag’s journey and discuss how his facial expression changes with the changes in his environment orsetting.Drawing Conclusions:• If the author asked you to rename Zigzag, what name would you give him?• Who was the most important person that Zigzag met during his journey? Explain.• Could the author have chosen another doll as the main character and delivered the samemessage?• Why were the mice willing to look beyond Zigzag’s appearance and offer him help?• Do you think Zigzag will ever treat others unkindly?• If you were Zigzag, what would you want to say to the other dolls?• How did the other dolls make you feel?Sequencing:Zigzag faces a series of problems and resolutions throughout the story.• List in sequential order the problems he encounters and their associated resolutions.• What do you think the author expects us to learn from Zigzag’s sequence of problems?2 of 7© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciFirst GradeFollow Up Activity:• Ask the class how they thought Zigzag felt throughout the story? Were those the same feelingsthat Corduroy experienced?• Is it fair to judge someone based on their outside appearance?• Compare the beginning, middle and end of Zigzag’s journey to that of Corduroy’s. Highlight thesimilarities and differences in their journeys.• Give students the option to choose between two different writing activities.o Compare Corduroy to Zigzag.• How are they alike?• How are they different?• Did either of them deserve to be treated unfairly?• Why do you think they kept a positive attitude?• Were they both able to find a solution to their problems?o Compare the little girl in Zigzag to the little girl in Corduroy.• What role did both of these characters play?• Why do you think these girls were able to look beyond physical appearance?• How do you think they will impact Zigzag and Corduroy’s lives?• Do you think Corduroy and Zigzag will teach the little girls any lesson?• Have students complete a Venn Diagram during brainstorming to organize their thoughts.• Use the information obtained while brainstorming to have each student write a summary ofhis/her findings.Extension Activities/Centers:• Math - use buttons as a manipulative to solve addition and subtraction problems. Use buttons tocombine and separate number sets.• Illustrate pictures using only the shapes that were found in the book.• Graph the characters in the story: dolls, toys (lion, penguin, and elephant), bunnies, teapots, owl,and mice.• Write a story or poem about Zigzag.• Compare and contrast stories or classroom objects with Venn Diagrams.• Create a story and then change the setting. Did a different setting change the story?3 of 7© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciFirst GradeName__________________________ Date_________ © 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.4 of 7© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciFirst GradeName__________________________ Date_________ © 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.5 of 7© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciFirst Grade© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.6 of 7© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciFirst GradeName_________________________ Date___________ © 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.7 of 7© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.