Nightsong

Nightsong

By Ari Berk

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Illustrator: Loren Long

Grade: Second to third

Genre: Fiction

About The Author

Ari Berk is a man of many talents, not only is he an awards winning writer, but he is also a folklorist, an artist, and more! Click on the link above to see! Born in California, he currently lives Michigan where he is a father  to a son and a husband.  Nightsong, has been named one of amazon.com's Best Picture Books of 2012. His Berk's just released his first novel, Death Watch, which has great reviews to follow. 

About The Book

I chose this book because of its great illustrations and I was looking for another bat book, besides that of Stellaluna by, Janell Cannon (which is an outstanding childrens book).  I couldn't help but fall in love with book, everything about it sucked me in! As the book begins we are introduced to Chiro and his mother. As night begins to fall Chiro's mother releases him to have his first solo journey. Not being able to see Chiro uses his "good sense", and begins to sing. As Chiro sings the illustrations show how the singing lights the path for Chiro's journey (echolocation).  He comes across many obstacles in his path but finds his way to food and eventually back home to his cave. 

Lesson

Purpose: To understand echolocation. ( This book could be used for introduction to the bat unit, such as  micro vs. mega bat, bat characteristics, explaining how they are mammals)

Pre-assessment: Giving test to students about echolocation. Define echolocation, What animal uses echolocation? and how does it work?

Lesson: Before students read the book do a picture walk, and ask students why they think certain parts of picture a lit up?  Introduce the concept of echolocation. After book: Have discussion on the book, Why is Chiro scared? What does he do to solve his problem? What are some of the obstacles that Chiro faced?  Then explain echolocation again. 

Put students in a circle that has 4 clutters of students, ( just put large enough spaces in-between them) then blind fold a student and place them in the middle. If the blind folded student wants to eat he has to see the bugs, but does so by saying, bugs where are you? The students will then respond saying, Chiro we are over here. Once "Chiro" gets to the students the students will hand him a paper bug. Then let "Chiro" find another clutter of "bugs". This can be done with several students. But it shows students that sound can work to make pictures of where things are, and help bats navigate. 

Students can then write about what they did then relate it to what Chiro did in the book. 

Post-assessment: Look over writing but also give another test viewing if the students better understand echolocation.