The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Author: Wendy Pfeffer

Illustrator: Linda Bleck

Copyright: 2010

Publisher: Dutton Children's Book

Pfeffer, W., & Bleck, L. (2010). The longest day: celebrating the summer solstice. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

Reading Level: 3-4.

Genre: Nonfiction.

Description: Summer solstice, occurrence, earth, nature, activities.

Delivery Suggestion: Read aloud.

Summary: This text takes the reader through the history and science behind the summer solstice, while referring to various summer celebrations from different cultures around the world. The text is written with lyrical probe and provides detailed colorful illustrations. Many different animals and elements of the environment are explained in regards to summer.

Electronic Resources:

Summer Solstice Facts This resource provides further information and facts about the summer solstice. Students may refer to this site with the purpose to extend their knowledge about the summer solstice or they can use it to gain background knowledge regarding the topic.

YouTube: Seasons This YouTube clip explains verbally, and with visuals, the reasons for our seasons. It demonstrates how the earth revolves around the sun. This can help students get a better understanding to why we have summer, along with the other seasons we experience throughout the year.

Vocabulary: Solstice, equinox, pillar, quartz, monument, archaeologists.

Teaching Suggestions:

-Use this book as a supplement to a science lesson pertaining to seasons.

-Use this book to discuss the different traditions and beliefs from culture to culture when it comes to summer.

-Use this book to model accuracy, rate, and prosody, along with proper book handling skills.

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Have students briefly write their interpretation and understanding to why we have summer and other seasons. Have them also describe their understanding of what summer solstice is. Have students keep these descriptions to refer back to later on.

During Reading: Stop after each tradition explained in the text and call upon students to explain what they just learned about the particular culture. Have students explain how this specific tradition is similar or relates to something that they may do during the summer months. This allows students to make connections.

After Reading: Have students refer back to their descriptions of why we have seasons and what summer solstice is. Instruct students to reconstruct these descriptions to stand as correct, using the information that they just learned from the story.

Writing Activity:

Have students create a descriptive piece describing what they often do during the summer. These works should include an introduction, three main ideas with supporting details, and a conclusion. They should be ell organized and legible. Provide students with a graphic organizer for them to fill out prior to composing their piece. Students should also include an illustration with their writing.