S. Seifert
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Literature Curricula

Scroll down to find FREE summaries, comprehension questions, and writing prompts.

Simple Literature:  
Second Grade Curricula 
 

Whether students struggle or excel, this amazing book, Simple Literature: Second Grade Curricula includes comprehension questions and writing prompts for their reading level.

 

 On August 15,

you'll be able to download 

this book of curricula for over 50

early and beginning reader books, 

chapter books,

and junior novels

for only $14.95!

 

For a preview of this curricula, scroll down the page and get comprehension questions and writing prompts for seven early and beginning readers NOW! Or get student study guide questions (i.e., Stone Fox, The Whipping Boy, etc.) at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DedicatedAuthor/. 

 

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Simple Literature:

Second Grade Curricula

includes curricula for the following books:

 

BEGINNING READERS:

Can You See What I See? Toys, Dora and the Rainbow Kite Festival, Farm Animals, Fly High, Fly Guy, Fox in Socks, Hop on Pop, The Horse in Harry's Room, Jake's Brave Night, Jesus and His Friends, Jonah and the Big Fish, Magic Matt and the Dinosaur, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Noah and the Ark, Noodles the Puppy: I Am Brave, Noodles the Puppy: I Won't Share, Sheep in a Jeep, Spring is Here: A Story About Seeds, Trucktown: Zoom! Boom! Bully, and Zachary's Zoo!

 

EARLY READER AND CHAPTER BOOKS:

Abe Lincoln's Hat, Bear's Hiccups, Boston Coffee Party (The), Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto (The), Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express, Chang's Paper Pony, Clara and the Bookwagon, Daniel's Duck, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Fancy Nancy and the Boy From Paris, Finding Providence: The Roger Williams Story, Fire Cat (The), Five Brilliant Scientists, Frog and Toad: Ice Cream, George the Drummer Boy, George Washington and the General's Dog, Go, Speed Racer, Go!, Great Snake Escape (The), Happy Birthday, Eeyore!, Henry and Mudge: The First Book, Hurray for the Lord's Army (Gideon), The Josefina Story Quilt, The Long Way to a New Land, The Long Way Westward, Morris Goes to School, Morris Has a Cold, Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate, Sam the Minuteman, Small Wolf, Soccer Sam, and True or False: Baby Animals!

 

JUNIOR NOVELS:

The 100th Day of School, Stone Fox, The Whipping Boy!

 

For a preview of the early reader and beginning reader curricula, scroll down the page.

Comprehension Questions
(books are in alphabetical order)

S. Seifert holds the copyright to all curricula posted on this page. This material may not be included in printed or online curricula, or be commercially distributed. It is available for home school, public school, or private school use.

Curriculum for The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standiford

by S. Seifert

 

When children in Alaska became ill with diphtheria, the people of Nome needed to get medicine from Anchorage. The snow was too deep for traditional travel—trains, cars, etc., so 21 dog sled teams worked to deliver it. Gunnar, whose lead dog was named Balto, was on the second to last sled team. They faced many dangers—deep snow and cracking ice—before reaching their destination. But once there, no sled team met them. Gunnar and Balto carried the medicine the rest of the way to Nome. The doctor was surprised, but glad, at how quickly the medicine was delivered. He used it to heal the children.


COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. What was Balto before being on the sled team that took diphtheria medicine to Nome, Alaska? Balto was the lead dog on a sled team that carried tools and food to miners.


2. How important was the diphtheria medicine to the people of Nome, Alaska? The medicine was extremely important. Without it, people in Nome were going to die. Discuss how diphtheria is contagious and more than just a couple of children would have died if there was no medicine.

 

3. What did Balto do on the trip to Nome, Alaska? The other dogs on the team followed Balto. At one point, the dogs were almost covered with snow. Balto patiently waited to be dug out. Second, Balto would not go forward because he knew the ice was cracking. Third, when the weather became so bad that Gunnar could not see, Balto led them to Point Safety. Then when they should have been able to rest because their part of the journey was done, Balto pushed to get the medicine to Nome.

 

4. How long were Balto and his team on the trail? Gunnar, Balto, and his team carried the medicine for 20 hours and traveled 53 miles.   

WRITE A PARAGRAPH: Balto’s dog sled team had to run for 20 hours in the cold. They were almost covered with snow and almost fell into a river. Balto’s feet almost froze. Pretend you are one of the dogs on Balto’s team. Tell the story of your journey from Bluff to Nome, Alaska, from a dog’s point of view.

 

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Curriculum for Fancy Nancy and the Boy From Paris by Jane O'Connor 

by S. Seifert

 

When Nancy arrives late to school, she only hears half of what the teacher says about a new boy named Robert. She hears that Robert is from Paris, so she goes out of her way to talk to him and invite him to play with her. Nancy loves France because of its fancy words and elegant ways. Both children like the Eiffel Tower. Yet Nancy’s Eiffel Tower is in France, and Robert’s is in Texas. When Nancy learns this, she is a little embarrassed for her actions (speaking slower for Robert to understand her, explaining donut holes, etc.), but they remain friends.

 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. What is Fancy Nancy’s big mistake? Nancy didn’t know that Robert was from Paris, Texas, and not Paris, France.

 

2. What helped Nancy think that Robert was from France? Robert's Grandfather had a horse named Belle (a French name), and there was an Eiffel Tower in his town in Texas (different from the one in France, but called the same name).

 

3. Nancy heard that Robert was from Paris and responded to him by speaking slowly and telling him about things like donut holes. She was late to school on Monday, so she didn’t hear that he was from Paris, Texas. What would have helped Nancy realize her mistake? If Nancy had been a little quicker to listen when Robert talked about Western things, perhaps she would have saved herself some embarrassment.

 

WRITE A PARAGRAPH: Fancy Nancy thinks that France is a beautiful city, although she hasn't traveled there. Describe a place that you have never seen but can imagine. This can be a pretend or real place.

 

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Curriculum for Finding Providence: The Roger Williams Story by Avi 

by S. Seifert

 

Chapter 1: Roger Williams believed that people should be able to worship God in different ways, Europeans should not take Indian land, and the church and government should be separate. Roger was put on trial for his views. Chapter 2: Goodman Neal warned Roger that the court had found him guilty. In the morning, soldiers were going to arrest him and take him to England, where he would be jailed or hung. Chapter 3: Roger told his family to hope in God’s providence. Roger escaped before Captain Gillmore and his soldiers came to arrest him. Chapter 4: Roger faced many hardships. He used the sun and stars to guide him and ate dried berries and nuts. He slept in hollowed trees or caves to keep warm. Chapter 5: A Narragansett hunter found Roger in a hollow tree trunk and took him to live with his tribe. The Indians gave him land to build a new home, and his family eventually joined him. They called the new settlement Providence.

 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. What did Roger believe that the court in his town did not believe? Roger Williams believed that people should be able to worship God in different ways, Europeans should not take Indian land, and the church and government should be separate.

2. Roger did not want to leave his family, but he did. What did he tell his family as he left? Roger told his family to hope in God’s providence.

3. As a result of taking a stand, Roger found himself alone, cold, and hungry. Do you think he wanted to be alone and on the run? Discuss how every action has consequences, even when a person does what is right. No one wants to be alone, hungry, or cold.

4. Who are two people who helped Roger? Goodman Neal warned Roger of the verdict and sentence. A Narragansett hunter found Roger and took him to live with his tribe.

 

5. What name did Roger give to the settlement he started? Roger and his family named their settlement Providence.

 

WRITE A PARAGRAPH: Roger Williams’ child, Mary, watched what her father said in the courtroom. Describe something important that you've seen your parents do or say and how it made you feel.

 

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Curriculum for Happy Birthday, Eeyore! by Isabel Gaines

by S. Seifert

 

Eeyore was sad because it was his birthday and he didn't have a cake, candles, or presents. Pooh wanted Eeyore to feel happy, so he went home to find Eeyore a present. While he was at his house, he told Piglet that it was Eeyore's birthday. While Piglet hurried home to get a bright red balloon for Eeyore, Pooh set off to give Eeyore a pot of honey. On his way, Pooh ate the honey. Meanwhile, Piglet didn't watch where he was going, so his balloon popped. Pooh gave Eeyore an empty pot, and Piglet gave him a popped red balloon. Fortunately, Christopher Robin and the other animals came just at that moment. They had a real birthday party for Eeyore at Rabbitt's house, which made Eeyore happy.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. When Pooh found that it was Eeyore's birthday, what did he intend to do, and what did he do? Pooh intended to give Eeyore a birthday present—a pot of honey—but he ended up eating the honey. All he gave Eeyore was an empty pot.


2. When Piglet found out it was Eeyore's birthday, what did he intend to do, and what did he do? Piglet intended to give Eeyore a birthday present—a red balloon—but he ended up giving Eeyore a popped red balloon.


3. Do you think Eeyore liked Pooh's and Piglet's presents? Discuss how a broken or empty present doesn't make a good gift. Eeyore probably felt more depressed after getting their presents.

 

4. How did Christopher Robin save the day? Christopher Robin and Rabbit had a birthday party for Eeyore with a cake, candles, and presents.

 

5. Why do you think Christopher Robin's party pleased Eeyore more than Pooh's and Piglet's presents? Christopher Robin's party showed Eeyore that someone thought about him. Pooh and Piglet's presents were last-minute, and unsuccessful, attempts to make Eeyore feel good.

 

WRITE A PARAGRAPH: What present would you give Eeyore to make him happy on his birthday? Describe your present and why it's the perfect gift for Eeyore.


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Curriculum for Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

by S. Seifert

 

Dr. Seuss wrote a number of short sketches using different characters, such as Jim, Red, Pat, Pop, and Dad. He also includes creatures, such as a pup, a mouse, Thing and others. He uses rhyming to help beginning readers decipher each story.

 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS  

1. What are some of the words Dr. Seuss rhymed in this book? Dr. Seuss rhymed cup, up, and pup; mouse and house; all, tall, ball, wall, fall, and small; day and play; night and fight; he and me; him and Jim; see, bee, and three; red, bed, Ned, Ted, and Ed; Pat, sat, hat, cat, bat, and that; sad, dad, bad, and had; thing and sing; long and song; walk and talk; hop, pop, top, and stop; brown, town, and down; back, snack, and black; jump and bump; fast and past; went, tent, and sent; wet and get; help and yelp; hill, still, and will; father, mother, sister, and brother; bit and it; too and Timbuktu; and say and day.

 

2. Fantasy means pretend. What are some of the pretend things you found in this book? A pup flew and went inside a cup. A mouse picked up and carried a house. People played baseball on a wall. The animals in the book were different than the animals in our world. Fish were on the top of a tree. Pat sat on the top end of a bat. Mr. Brown was upside down on his hat, and his hat did not wrinkle. Mr. Brown was catapulted through the air by a seesaw.

 

3. Is it okay to pretend some things? Yes, it’s okay to make-believe when you are playing. When you are at church or school, you should keep your mind from wandering and pay attention. Discuss appropriate and inappropriate places to imagine things.

 

4. What do you pretend when you play games? Answer will vary.


WRITE A PARAGRAPH: Dr. Seuss wrote many books and made up interesting creatures for his stories. Pretend that he imagined a new creature—you—for another book. Who are you, what do you look like, and what do you do?

 

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Curriculum for Jake's Brave Night by Crystal Bowman

by S. Seifert

 

Jake was excited to sleep in his own room, but he didn’t like being alone. The dark and then the shadows of his stuffed animals scared him. Only when he was too tired to be afraid did he fall asleep. The next morning, Jake was tired and told his parents. They bought him a night light and let him know that God was with him, so he was not alone. With the night light and an assurance of God’s love, Jake easily fell asleep the second night in his new bedroom.

 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. Jake was afraid of the dark and of being alone in his bedroom. The problem was too big for Jake to figure out by himself. Who helped him solve it, and how was it solved? Jake’s parents helped him solve his problem. They suggested a night light and reminded him that God was always with him.

 

2. Read Isaiah 41:10 in the Bible together. In this verse, God is talking to His servant Jacob. What does God tell Jacob? God tells Jacob that he has nothing to fear because God is strong and brave enough for both of them.

 

3. Do you think God wants to help you in the same way he helped Jacob? God wants to be the strength for all His children.

 

4.When Jake accepted help from his parents and believed that God was always with him, what was Jake able to do? Jake finally was able to fall asleep.


WRITE A PARAGRAPH: Jake tried to fix a big problem on his own. He turned on the light so he wouldn’t be afraid of the dark. Then he turned off the light so he wouldn't be afraid of shadows and hid under his bed to get away from scary things. What’s one big problem in your life? How have you tried to fix it? (If you don’t have a problem, you can make up a silly problem, such as bees have built a hive inside your favorite toy. Then come up with silly ways to solve the problem.)

 

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Curriculum for Spring is Here: A Story About Seeds by Joan Holub

by S. Seifert

 

Reed, Tor, Em, Curt, Joe, Kate and many others plant seeds. Although one ant is impatient, the others wait for the rain. The seeds eventually grow into stems and flowers, and the ants celebrate because spring has arrived.

 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS  

1. During which season do plants begin to grow? In the spring, plants begin to grow, and they continue growing throughout the summer.

 

2. How does the world know to change to the different seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall)? God has set up an order in our world so the seasons know when to change. Some of this has to do with how the earth tilts toward and away from the sun and weather patterns.

 

3. What is your favorite season—winter, spring, summer, or fall? Answers will vary.

 

4. What are some of the changes that take place during that season? Answers will vary.


WRITE A PARAGRAPH: Joe was impatient for the seeds to become plants. Kate told him that he would have to wait. Perhaps she knew that seeds need water, dirt, and time to grow. What is one thing you wish would happen right now? Why do you have to wait for it to happen?

 

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