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"Walter is a litterbug who does not appreciate the beauty of nature, or understand his role in keeping the planet healthy . . . until a fantastic journey shows him the tragic fate that could befall Earth if humans like him are not more careful. Are Walter's actions really helping his planet along the road to destruction, or is it all just a dream?" (Google Books)
This unit has been developed with activities and worksheets that are aligned with the Texas Essential Skills and Knowledge for easy curriculum integration. There is video where the story is told in American Sign Langauge by Russell Harvard to help Deaf and Hard of Hearing students make better connections with the story and text to increase their literacy skills.
Video Length: 17:11
Text Transcript
Length of Activity: 25 minutes
Directions: Edit the sentences to add the articles (a, an, the) to make the sentences correct.
Length of Activity: 20 minutes
Directions: Use the organizer to show how Walter changed through the story, Just a Dream.
Length of Activity: 25 minutes
Directions: After reading the story Just a Dream, go through the book and select five words you are unfamiliar with. Write the five words in the spaces below. When you are done, use a dictionary to find the definition you feel best fits the word. Then, write a sentence using your own words.
Length of Activity: 15 minutes
Directions: Before reading Just a Dream, answer the questions on the worksheet.
Length of Activity: 15 minutes
Directions: The title of the book is Just a Dream. Consider the title and the words and phrases below from the story and make 3 predictions.
Length of Activity: 20 minutes
Directions: Answer the questions using information and thoughts from the story.
Length of Activity: 25 minutes
Directions: Use the chart to represent the 5 senses. During or after reading Just a Dream, categorize Chris Van Allsburg's sensory details.
Length of Activity: 15 minutes
Directions: Edit the sentences below for correct subject/verb agreement. If the sentence is correct, make a check mark. If it is incorrect, make an X and edit the sentence.
Length of Activity: 20 minutes
Directions: Summarize the story Just a Dream. Your summary must include title and author, setting, important characters, problem, solution and all important events from the story.
Length of Activity: 15 minutes
Directions: Match the words in the box with their synonyms. Use the sentences from the story Just a Dream to help determine the meaning of words.
Length of Activity: 15 minutes
Directions: Make a minimum of one text to text, text to self, and text to world connection from Just a Dream. When finished share your connections with a partner.
Length of Activity: 15 minutes
Directions: Answer the questions on the worksheet related to the theme and purpose of the story, Just a Dream.
Length of Activity: 15 minutes
Directions: Using the list of transition words, add four of your own transition words to the list. When you are done,
Length of Activity: 25 minutes
Directions: In the story Just a Dream, Walter had a dream that cahnged his perspective on the importance of taking care of our Earth. Write a creative story about a dream you had that encouraged you to change the world for the better.