From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 09:46:02 -0500

ccbc-net at lists.education.wisc.edu writes:

While I haven't yet shared the book with my 4th grade students I suspect they would not find the Crispin's parentage as obvious as older children seem to have. I read aloud many books to them where things like this that seem so obvious to me from the start when revealed at the end come as a complete surprise to them. I suspect that it has to do with experience. Older children have more experience with story overall (in books, television, movies, etc.) and perhaps more with this particular sort of story (that is the issue of parentage) or the sort of foreshadowing evident at the start of Crispin. However, my students first learn about foreshadowing this year in terms of Wilbur's possible demise in Charlotte's Web. I don't think, unless it was pointed out to them, that they'd be able to transfer that concept easily over to Crispin. And even if they did have an idea of his parentage I don't think they'd care. They'd be more into the drama of it all and what was to happen next. That is, anyway, what I suspect of my students and I'll be interest to hear what Kate finds out or others who have used the book with this age group.

Monica

Monica Endanger The Dayton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Sat 15 Feb 2003 08:46:02 AM CST