Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis: Fun Facts

• Born in Flint, Michigan
• Involved in a lansing-based musical group in high school.
• The first African American recipient of the Newbery Medal for children's literature
• Has four children

Christopher Paul Curtis: Background

• Started out working a low-income job at General Motors replacing car doors
• After 13 years at the factory, Curtis finally took a year off to write a novel
• Gained a passion for writing through writing love letters to his wife
• Received his bachelors degree at University of Michigan-Flint

Christopher Paul Curtis: books

• Bud, Not Buddy (1993)
• The Watsons Go to Birmingham (1966)
• Elijah of Buxton (2012)
• The Mighty Miss Malone (2007)
• Bucking the Sarge (2004)
• Mr. Chickee's Funny Money (2007)
• Mr. Chickee's Messy Mission (2008)
• Bud, Not Buddy (1999)
• The Madman of Piney Woods (2012)

Christopher Paul Curtis: Awards

• A Publisher's Weekly Best Book Of The Year
• A New York Times Book Review Best Book Of The Year
• A Jane Addams Peace Award Honor Book
• Newbery Medal Winner
• ALA Best Books For Young Adults
• Top Choice List of 2000 for Children's Literature
• Coretta Scott King Award
• & MANY more

Christopher Paul Curtis in the classroom

• Most of his books incorporate historical events and settings.
• His books give a unique perspective through the lens of African American characters.
• His background and story can encourage aspiring writers and students to pursue their dreams and work hard.
• There are many activities and projects that could go along with his writing and books! (see Watson's Go to Birmingham and Bud, Not Buddy classroom)
• If students enjoy one of Christopher Paul Curtis's books they will be engaged and likely to read more of his books and books similar to his! (Further reading!!)

ways to use haiku deck in the classroom

• Although Haiku Deck isn't the best technology we have used there are several great ways it could be incorporated into a classroom.
• Students could use this technology to do reports of any kind on. The teacher could then save the Deck under her name so it could be shared with all the students in the class. Students can then learn from their classmates Decks, for example this would be a good place to do book reports and learn about other authors!
• Teachers could use Haiku deck to present information to their students or for their students to check out on their own, for example a science teacher could create decks on all the different biomes and have students read them!
• An advantage of Haiku Deck is you can save all your Decks to your account to be available and share with everyone!

The Watson's go to Birmingham

The Watson's go to Birmingham-classroom

• Relating back to current events-Choose a major contemporary event (Obama’s election, Hurricane Katrina , 9/11). Pair up and discuss what students felt or where they were during the event. Talk about the way that Kenny and Byron each felt about racism before going to Birmingham and afterwards. How did it affect them? How did the current event affect you?
• There are two cities in which this story takes place, create a graphic organizer to compare and contrast Birmingham to Flint.
• Before reading the book class will create a list of everything they know about the Civil Rights Movement. After completing the book they will add on to the list and see how much they've learned.
• These activities are suited for grades 4-7

Books to PAir- the Watson's go to Birmingham

• Remember the Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison
• Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues by Harriett Robinett
• Dear America with the Might of Angels by Andrea Pinkney
• Witness by Karen Heese
• Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges

Bud, Not Buddy
Historical relevance: The Great Depression

Bud, Not buddy-classroom

• Students will create character maps on a character of their choice, in this they will list elements of the characters attitude, emotions, personality, and impact to the story. The student will then get in a group and present their character while learning more about the other characters.
• Students will work in groups of 3 to put together a presentation about an event during the Great Depression. Each group will cover a different event. They will present their event to the class.
• Students will create their own suitcase out of paper and put drawings of things that are important to them inside. They will then write a paragraph on what the suitcase symbolizes in the story.
• These activities would best suit grades 4-7

Books to pair- bud, not buddy

• M.C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton
• The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton
• The Black Canary by Jane Louise Curry
• Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine

Sources

• Watson's Go to Birmingham: 7 Creative Classroom Activities. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2015.
• The Watsons go to Birmingham. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2015
• Press Conference for Bud, Not Buddy - ReadWriteThink. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2015.