Slob

Author: Ellen Potter

Copyright: 2009

Publisher: Philomel Books

Potter, E. (2009). Slob. New York: Philomel Books.

Reading Level: 5-6

Lexile Measure: 740L

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Description: Bullying, grief, emotions, invention, determination.

Delivery Suggestion: Individual.

Summary: Owen Birnbaum is experiencing the troubles of grief and loss, since his parents have been killed. However, this is not the only sad thing that Owen is experiencing. At school, he is constantly picked on and bullied for being really smart and overweight. Owen is determined to invent something that shows the past so he can identify who murdered his parents. Unfortunately, he is always being made fun of at school. Owens sister feels badly for him so she does something that she thinks will help Owen. However, Owen finds out about his sisters action and his hopes for his invention seem to be diminished. This emotional novel is one of the 2010 Children’s Choice winners.

Electronic Resources:

Stop Bullying This resource provides students with the opportunity to become informed about bullying with facts, prevention and reaction suggestions, games, and videos. Students need to be more aware of the impact that bullying has on their peers. Many outsiders in the story about Owen could have helped stop the harassment. Gaining knowledge on this subject can help students make the right decision.

KidsHealth This kid friendly resource allows students to read about ‘moving to middle school’ and the potential problems they may encounter when it comes to friendships, schoolwork, health, safety and more. This site also provides an audio device so students can listen to the information that is being provided. As readers are able to see during Slob, middle school can be a challenging time. Being proactive and preparing for all the possibilities can help students be happy and successful.

Vocabulary: apparatus, conceivable, primitive, olfactory, levitating, guffaw, pulverize.

Teaching Suggestions:

-Use this book as a supplement to a lesson on bullying and creating a bully-free environment.

-Use this book to discuss the troubles with grief and loss. Have students work together to generate beneficial suggestions for coping with loss.

-Have students make personal connections to Owen and the other characters present in the story. Also, encourage students to make predictions often throughout the story.

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: As a class, brainstorm the crucial elements needed to create a bully-free environment. Discuss the different ways the students are bullied and the common consequences that are enforced when an individual or group of people are bullies.

During Reading: As students are reading, have them take note of specific features and elements about the environment that allow for Owen to continuously receive harassment. Students can use a T-chart format, having the location of the incident listed on one side and the factors of the situation on the other side. Students can compare T-charts with their classmates as they read the story.

After Reading: Instruct students to write a brief summary of the story. Then, using one of the graphic organizers provided from the Education Oasis site,  http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/sequence.htm, have students fill in the sections appropriately in regards to the sequence of events from the story.

Writing Activity:

Have students write a personal narratives in which they describe a time when they witnessed, experienced, or participated in an act of bullying. Narratives should include the use of dialogue, descriptive details, sensory language, and conclusions in which students reflect upon their feelings during and after the incidents they describe.