Storyline Outlines
Storyline Outlines
1. Weslandia: A Storyline
written by Colleen Vallerga
The Storyline is based on the book Weslandia by Paul Fleischman.
Grades 2-5
Storyline Overview
The story begins with Wesley, a boy who does not fit in and feels like an outcast. He is bullied by his classmates and decides to escape the torment by creating his own civilization.
As the teacher and students begin to explore the story, they observe Wesley’s magic garden come to life and create it in their classroom. While the garden grows and Wesley prepares to harvest his staple crop, the students step into the story as Wesley’s curious classmates. They marvel at what Wesley is doing and decide to help him establish his civilization.
The classmates work with Wesley to create an economy, design a way to keep track of time, devise a numbering system, create games and musical instruments, and rename the constellations. When challenges arise, the classmates help Wesley problem solve and find solutions.
Finally, the classmates officially become fellow citizens of Weslandia. Working together, the citizens create a written history of their new civilization and present it to the world.
Wesley’s classmates recall what makes a civilization as they are challenged to create their own civilizations, reflecting who they are. Students share their own, unique civilizations.
Total Number of Pages: 19
Standards and Instruction
Common Core Language Arts Standards
Reading Literature
Reading Informational Text
Speaking and Listening
Writing
Language
Social Sciences Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Civics and Government Multicultural Studies Geography Economics Historical Knowledge Historical Thinking Social Science Analysis
Mathematics Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Operations and Algebraic Thinking Number Operations in Base Ten
NGSS Science Standards
From Molecules to Organisms Engineering Design Earth’s Place in the Universe
Health Education Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Promotion of Mental, Social, and Emotional Health
Art Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Visual Arts
Theater
Music
Purchase the Weslandia PDF Storyline Outline-$40
*The PDF will be emailed to you once the order is received.
The PayPal buttons are being revamped and temporarily not working.
If you wish to place an order, email me at cvallerga@hotmail.com for directions.
2. The Red Bicycle: A Storyline
written by Colleen Vallerga
The Storyline is based on the book The Red Bicycle by Jude Isabella.
Grades 1-4
Storyline Overview
As the story begins, a young boy named Leo is working hard to save money and buy a bicycle he admires at the local bike shop. When he enters the shop to admire his future bike, the bike shop owner invites him to join her Bicycle Care and Safety Class for new bike owners. She shows Leo photos of other children in his town who are also saving for a bike and taking the class.
Students create and develop the additional characters into the story.
Leo and the other children become friends while they are earning money to purchase their bikes and learning how to become responsible bike owners.
Leo and his friends earn the money they need and head to the bike shop to purchase their bikes.
Leo names his bike, Big Red.
The bikes become an important part of the lives of the children. Leo’s friends describe their biking adventures and highlight the positive changes the bikes have made in their lives.
When Leo outgrows his bike, he decides to find a new home for it in a place where Big Red is really needed. Leo’s friends explore the benefits of reuse and decide to donate their outgrown bikes. The donated bicycles travel to West Africa to begin a new life. Each bike finds a new owner and a new purpose in Africa.
Leo and his friends conduct simple research to learn about the new home of their bikes. They read informational text about Burkina Faso and choose a topic that highlights the strengths and beauty of the land and people. Leo’s friends record and share their information.
Leo’s friends follow the story of Big Red’s new life. They tell the story of their bikes in Africa and the changes they have made in the lives of their new owners. Leo’s friends discover how one bicycle can transform the lives of many in the rural African village.
Students educate others about the benefits of bicycles and the need for donated bikes. The Storyline concludes with a bike-a-thon to raise money for used bikes. Students donate the used bikes, locally, to a place where they are really needed.
Total Number of Pages: 21
Bend-La Pine Schools Newsletter 6/19
Our schools know – you’re never too young to make a positive difference in the world! First-graders at Highland Magnet School at Kenwood recently raised money to purchase 15 bicycles for the World Bicycle Relief Organization, which provides bikes for children and adults in Africa to help give them better access to school and opportunities. The students were inspired to take on this effort after reading The Red Bicycle by Jude Isabella as part of the school’s Storyline.
Thank you to teacher Becky Eriksson for sharing and spearheading this awesome effort … and thank you to all the students and families who participated!
Standards and Instruction Covered
Common Core Language Arts Standards
Reading Literature
Reading Informational Text
Speaking and Listening
Writing
Language
Social Science Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Multiculturalism
People, Places, and Environments
Global Awareness/Connections
Economics/Financial Literacy
Historical Knowledge
Historical Thinking
Social Science Analysis
Civics and Government
Geography
Transportation
Next Generation Science Standards
Motion and Stability
Forces and Interactions
Engineering Design
Earth and Human Activity
Reuse
Mathematics Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Money
Budgeting
Number Operations in Base Ten
Health Education Standards (Oregon Department of Education) Promotion of Mental, Social, and Emotional Health
Unintentional Injury Prevention
Promotion of Physical Activity
Art Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Visual Arts
Theater
Purchase the Red Bicycle PDF Storyline Outline-$40
*The PDF will be emailed to you once the order is received.
The PayPal buttons are being revamped and temporarily not working.
If you wish to place an order, email me at cvallerga@hotmail.com for directions.
3. Circus Olympus: A Storyline
written by Colleen Vallerga