• Home
  • Membership
  • Master Mentor Sentences
    • Mentor Sentences for K-2
    • Mentor Sentences for 3-5
  • Courses
    • K-2 Course Login
    • 3-5 Course Login
    • Master Mentor Sentences Course
    • Interactive Read Alouds
    • FREE 1-2 Mentor Text Course
    • FREE 3-5 Mentor Texts Course
  • Shop
    • My Account on Jivey’s Site
    • Shop Jivey’s Site
    • Join the Mentor Text Membership
    • Shop on TpT
    • Mentor Texts on Amazon
  • About
    • Meet Jivey
    • Disclosure & Affiliate Policy
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • 0 items
  • Ideas by Jivey

    Jivey shares ideas and lessons to make literacy accessible for all.

    • Shop
    • Master Mentor Sentences
      • Mentor Sentences for K-2
      • Mentor Sentences for 3-5
    • Maximize Time With Mentor Texts
    • Vivid Vocabulary
    • Close Reading
    Mentor Texts

    Gleam and Glow: Helping Students Understand Refugees

    February 2, 2017

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    Ideas by Jivey tackles the tricky topic of refugees with students by using Gleam and Glow by Eve Bunting.

    In light of recent events, I felt this post was an important one to write. This is definitely a tricky topic that I’m going to tackle here, but I think it is essential to help students understand current events happening in their world. Of course, if you know me, you know I LOVE using a mentor text to integrate across content as much as possible!

    Your students have most likely heard the word, “refugee,” in the news a lot lately. It would be a good idea to help them understand the difference between a refugee and an immigrant- especially those of you that teach about immigration in social studies. You can download this definition sheet as a pre-reading activity:

    The official definition is, “someone who flees persecution and conflict.” The vocabulary used in the definition is pretty high-level, so use the activity above to help students define flee, persecution, and conflict. You might have students even write synonyms or real-world examples of the words. (I have included some in the download, too, to help you!) It would be a good idea to have students put that definition in their own words to help them understand the meaning of REFUGEE. Although similar to some immigrants who move to a new country seeking a new life, refugees are different from immigrants because they are forced to leave their home for survival.

    Once they understand the word, read them the book, Gleam and Glow, by Eve Bunting. I adore all of Eve Bunting’s books because she tackles deep issues in ways that students can understand, and aren’t too scary or overwhelming for them.

    Don’t own the book? You can use my affiliate link to purchase it!
    The few cents I earn on affiliate purchases is used to fund giveaways!

    I appreciate School Library Journal’s description of this book, and couldn’t really say it better myself, so I am going to share their review below:

    With her noted skill in presenting difficult topics with clarity and sensitivity, Bunting has written an inspiring story based on the true experience of a Bosnian family forced to flee their country during the recent civil war. Eight-year-old Viktor watches as his father walks away to join the Liberation Army, and knows that soon he, his mother, and younger sister, Marina, will be forced to leave their home, just one step ahead of the approaching enemy forces. Already, strangers pass through Viktor’s town on their way to the border. One man leaves his two golden fish with the family, explaining that, “An extra day or two of life is as important to a fish as it is to us.” But just a few days later, as they ready themselves to depart, Viktor releases the fish into their pond. After days of walking and weeks of living in a refugee camp, the boy and his mother and sister share a glorious reunion with Papa and eventually return home. The land is ravaged by war and their home is destroyed but the fish have survived, even thrived-they and their offspring fill the pond. The simple, elegant language is at once moving and eloquent when juxtaposed with Sylvada’s expressive oil paintings. The artist’s palette of rich earth tones and striking brushwork reflect the strong emotional tenor of the story. Focusing on the fearsome impact of war upon families and children, and on those things that allow people to retain their humanity, this book deserves to be introduced and discussed.
     
    The oil paintings in Gleam and Glow are beautiful, and as always, so is Eve Bunting’s language. The theme of hope and strength is evident throughout the story.
    Because this book is based on the true experience of a refugee family, you can help students understand what is occuring in other countries by stopping and discussing while you read.

    Important Times to Stop and Discuss

    At the beginning, after Papa leaves to help fight the enemy, Mama says they would have to leave soon because it was getting too dangerous to stay. Explain that there is conflict (war) that will force the family to flee.
    The family must walk to the border. Discuss that the country where they lived (Bosnia) was involved in a war, but a neighboring country was not. They would be safe if they left their country- crossing the border. It is a very far walk. This is how it is for present-day refugees that must walk, too. Talk about how people who would walk for many miles to escape their country would only do this to survive and be safe.
    Join the mentor text club to get detailed explicit lesson plans using one book all week in reading, writing, grammar, and more!Mama, Viktor, and Marina must leave everything behind except for a few essential items that they carry in their bundles. Have students imagine leaving their home and all of their possessions behind, except for a few things that they could carry.
    The evidence of humanity is strong in this book. You can point out instances when strangers helped each other many times throughout the book.
    Once the family crosses the border, they stay in a refugee camp. This is also the case for present-day refugees. Discuss the difficulty of living in a tent for a very long time, cooking food on a fire. Have students imagine again how different it would be from living in their home- having to make all new friends, too.
    Papa is reunited with his family in the camp. This happens sometimes, but often, families must live without each other for a very long time.
    Walking home, and arriving home, they see that nothing is left. This family chose to return home and try to rebuild once it was safe, but for many refugees today, wars go on for years and years. Refugees must make the decision to start over in a new country, or live in the refugee camp, which do not have good conditions.

    Integrating With Reading and Writing

    Reading: Use this book for summarizing, character traits, theme, providing evidence, and more! Like all of Eve Bunting’s books, the rich and deep content is wonderful for upper grades students to practice comprehension skills.
    Writing: There is vivid language (and figurative language) in this book that you can use as examples of mentor sentences. This book is also a good one to use for reflections – have them think of what they would take with them if they had to leave their home like Viktor and Marina did.
    If you are interested in activities already created for this book, you can get the Gleam and Glow Mentor Sentence and Mentor Text Activities pack in my TpT store.
    I hope this post helps you tackle this tricky topic! Thank you for visiting today!
    Ideas by Jivey tackles the tricky topic of refugees with students by using Gleam and Glow by Eve Bunting.

     

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    Mentor Text
    by Jessica Ivey 

    About Jessica Ivey

    View all posts by Jessica Ivey

    Related Posts

    • Are Picture Books COMPLEX Enough?
    • Make Vocabulary Stick With These Five Activities
    • 3 BIG Reasons Why You Should Throw Out The Vocabulary List
    • Introduce Finding Specific Text Evidence With Do Unto Otters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Welcome!

    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Jessica, also affectionately known as Jivey! I am passionate about making literacy accessible for all students using research-based strategies. Students learn best through content integration and in-context skills, and my goal is to help you deliver your instruction with these best practices!

    Looking for something?

    SHOP

    SHOP

    Recent Posts

    • Teaching Grammar that Supports the Science of Reading
    • Teaching Text Structure With Picture Books
    • Planning a Language Arts Schedule (How To Fit It All In!)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Assessment)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Time to Imitate)

    Facebook

    Ideas By Jivey

    14 hours ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    😍Teachers LOVE using the paired texts I've written! 📖With original passages (differentiated for two reading levels) and multiple-choice & constructed response questions that require students to go back into the text for the answers (not basic-level comprehension), you are able to tackle rigorous reading standards while integrating social studies and science content into ELA to maximize much-needed time!Plus, bonus!! Students actually enjoy the passages' topics (no yawns through lessons)! 🚫😴Check out this set for Westward Expansion here! 👉https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paired-Texts-Print-Digital-Westward-Expansion-Grades-4-6-1811055 ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Ideas By Jivey

    2 days ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    Happy World Poetry Day!! 📖🖋️☕️Need a ready-to-teach close-reading poetry resource? Grab it here! www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Close-Reading-Poetry-Through-the-Year-Printable-Digital-2216146 ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Ideas By Jivey

    3 days ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    🦎Here's another fantastic book you won't want to miss for Women's History Month on this Mentor Text Monday!🐉Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez is the inspiring biography of the pioneering female scientist who loved reptiles.Get the resource I've made to go along with the book to have:★a mentor sentence lesson for the book★an interactive notebook activity to review/teach abstract nouns★eight reading ideas suggested with three activities provided: supporting an inference, key details and main idea, and vivid verbs★one writing idea suggested with a writing prompt given★contextual vocabulary activitiesGet it in the All-Access Mentor Text Membership: members.ideasbyjivey.com/all-accessGet the unit on TPT: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Joan-Procter-Dragon-Doctor-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Unit-802...Get the unit on Jivey's website: www.ideasbyjivey.com/product/joan-procter-dragon-doctor-mentor-text-digital-print-unit/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Pinterest

    Instagram

    😍Teachers LOVE using the paired texts I've writ 😍Teachers LOVE using the paired texts I've written! 

📖With original passages (differentiated for two reading levels) and multiple-choice & constructed response questions that require students to go back into the text for the answers (not basic-level comprehension), you are able to tackle rigorous reading standards while integrating social studies and science content into ELA to maximize much-needed time!

Plus, bonus!! Students actually enjoy the passages' topics (no yawns through lessons)! 🚫😴

Check out this set for Westward Expansion at the link in my profile!

#ideasbyjivey #fabulousfeedback #pairedtexts #pairedpassages #iteach456 #upperelementary #teacherspayteachers #teachersfollowteachers 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paired-Texts-Print-Digital-Westward-Expansion-Grades-4-6-1811055
    Happy World Poetry Day!! 📖🖋️☕️ Need a Happy World Poetry Day!! 📖🖋️☕️

Need a ready-to-teach close-reading poetry resource? Grab it at the link in my profile! 

#worldpoetryday #worldpoetryday2023 #ideasbyjivey #teacherspayteachers #teachersfollowteachers #iteachtoo #iteach456 #poetryintheclassroom 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Close-Reading-Poetry-Through-the-Year-Printable-Digital-2216146
    🦎Here's another fantastic book you won't want t 🦎Here's another fantastic book you won't want to miss for #womenshistorymonth  on this #mentortextmonday!

🐉Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez is the inspiring biography of the pioneering female scientist who loved reptiles.

Get the resource I've made to go along with the book to have:
★a mentor sentence lesson for the book

★an interactive notebook activity to review/teach abstract nouns

★eight reading ideas suggested with three activities provided: supporting an inference, key details and main idea, and vivid verbs

★one writing idea suggested with a writing prompt given

★contextual vocabulary activities

This is just one of over 150 books in the All-Access Mentor Text Membership! Join at the link in my profile! https://members.ideasbyjivey.com/all-access

#ideasbyjivey #picturebooks #mentortext #mentorsentence #teachersfollowteachers #iteach345
    When do YOU teach grammar? 🤓 📓If you're usi When do YOU teach grammar? 🤓

📓If you're using the #mentorsentences routine, I suggest beginning your writing time with it! You want grammar and language to be directly connected to their writing.

This also helps get students into a writing frame of mind, and often gives them a purpose for writing that day! ✏️

Read more about the mentor sentences routine at the link in my profile!

#ideasbyjivey #mentortexts #teacherspayteachers #upperelementary #grammarteacher

https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/routine
    🔍Research has proven that #vocabulary words mus 🔍Research has proven that #vocabulary words must be presented in context for proper comprehension.

📖That means... throw out the word lists for kids to look up in a dictionary and memorize the definition!!!

📚Picture books are vital – yes, even in the upper grades – to allow students to use the images to help with context and infer the meaning of words. One way to present vocabulary words effectively is to teach through texts you are already using for other lessons!

😍You can find over 150 weeks' worth of contextual vocabulary activities just like these in the All-Access Mentor Text Membership- link in profile!!

#ideasbyjivey #upperelementary #mentortexts #teachingvocabulary #teachersfollowteachers #iteach345 

https://members.ideasbyjivey.com/all-access
    🍀What book are you reading this week for St. Pa 🍀What book are you reading this week for St. Patrick's Day?

Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman is a fun one!

Need some last-minute activities?

You can find an entire unit for this #mentortext in Ideas by Jivey's All-Access Mentor Text Membership, as well as on TPT (link in profile)!

#stpatricksdayintheclassroom #ideasbyjivey
#mentorsentences #upperelementary
#teachersfollowteachers #teacherspayteachers
#iteach345

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fionas-Luck-St-Patricks-Day-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Leprechaun-Book-Unit-7821146
    I LOVE reading #fabulousfeedback from you all! 🤩 This one makes me especially happy because I know committing to a new routine like mentor sentences is a mindset shift, but I always hear such positive results once teachers do! ❤

Check out #mentorsentences on my website or my TPT store! www.ideasbyjivey.com

#ideasbyjivey #iteach #iteachtoo #mentortexts #grammarteacher #elementaryela #teacherspayteachers #teachersfollowteachers
    🍀🌈💰For today's #mentortextmonday, let's g 🍀🌈💰For today's #mentortextmonday, let's get excited for St. Patrick's Day this week! 

I have the perfect #picturebook: 🍀Fiona's Luck by Teresa Bateman. It's an original folktale with a little girl power mixed in!

Get the resource I've created for it and you'll have: 
🍀a mentor sentence lesson for the book

🍀an interactive notebook activity to review/teach figurative and literal language

🍀six reading ideas suggested with three activities provided: citing evidence, character analysis, and defining using context clues

🍀one writing idea suggested with a writing prompt given

🍀contextual vocabulary activities

🍀science integration - design a leprechaun trap with simple machines

You can find this unit in Ideas by Jivey's All-Access Mentor Text Membership, as well as on TPT (link in profile)! 

#stpatricksdayintheclassroom #ideasbyjivey #mentortext #mentorsentences #upperelementary #teachersfollowteachers #teacherspayteachers #iteach345

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fionas-Luck-St-Patricks-Day-Mentor-Text-Digital-Print-Leprechaun-Book-Unit-7821146
    🤔 So what's so special about using #mentorsente 🤔 So what's so special about using #mentorsentences instead of lectures and worksheets?

💡Engagement in the daily class discussions around language is what will give many students a “lightbulb moment” and help those skills transfer to writing. 

Holding these high-level conversations are when the students are going to learn the MOST. 🥳

Read more at the link in my profile! 

#ideasbyjivey #teachersfollowteachers #iteach345 #mentortexts #upperelementaryteacher #grammarteacher 

https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/routine
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Copyright © 2023 · Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios

    Copyright © 2023 · Prima Donna on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See full disclosure here.​

    accept

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
    See full disclosure here.​

    accept