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 tormenting by creating his own civilization for his summer project.
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 begins 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 join in 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 introduce their civilizations.
Total Number of Pages: 19
Standards and Instruction Covered
Common Core Language Arts Standards
Reading Literature
Reading Informational Text
Speaking and Listening
Writing
Language
Mathematics Standards (Oregon Department of Education)
Operations and Algebraic Thinking Number Operations in Base Ten
Next Generation Science Standards
From Molecules to Organisms Engineering Design Earth’s Place in the Universe
Social Science (Oregon Department of Education)
Civics and Government
Multicultural Studies
Geography
Economics
Historical Knowledge
Historical Thinking
Social Science Analysis
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 this PDF Storyline Outline-$40
2. The Red Bicycle: A Storyline
written by Colleen Vallerga
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 visit 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. Leo decides to participate. Students create characters for the future bike owners. The photos and characters reflect the diversity in Leo’s town.
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. The bikes become an important part of 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 record and share their information.
Leo’s friends follow the story of Big Red’s new life. They, in turn, tell the story of their bikes in Africa and the changes they have made in the lives of the new owners. Leo’s friends discover how one bicycle can transform the lives of many in a 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
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 this PDF Storyline Outline-$40
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!
3. Circus Olympus: A Storyline
written by Colleen Vallerga
