Question

give detail discrupation of fallen rock

Answer 1

This summer, I was introduced to the book The Journey of Fallen Rock, by Bill Merical. I instantly fell in
love with it. As a fourth grade teacher I first saw the connection to our United States Regional Studies
immediately. Upon reading it I gave each student a map. They were able to trace the route and follow the
two boys across the USA. When the boys did a challenge, the kids would find the location and then draw a
symbol to remind them of that task. The next aspect I found exciting was the character piece. This one
actually thrilled me the most, as I teach a 45 minute character education block each morning of our
morning character circle meeting. The kids were able to connect what the boys were doing with some of
our character ed. lessons. They were able to pull out the six traits like responsibility, trustworthiness,
respect and others. I gave the kids a character report card at the end of the story and had them rate both
Fallen Rock and Running Water on each trait. They had to back each grade with evidence.  What was so
cool about this was that they saw things I didn't, and they thought of them through a child's eye. They
picked the obvious reasons, but they also picked evidence that I totally missed. They loved this
discussion. One of my favorite parts of the book is when the brothers see each other and wave. They are
competitive but it is a healthy competition instead of a vindictive one. Bill reminds the kids often that
though they are competing they are brothers first and they think about each other often. My 4th graders
would get angry daily when I would say that was it for the day. They would have sat for the entire book in
one setting without a peep. I had to constantly remind them NOT to read ahead. I even had parents email
me wanting to know when the book was going to come home.  Lastly the road signs. Just the other day, I
had a student share, very excitedly, that they had seen a watch for fallen rock sign on their way to Great
Falls. Does this tell me they are connecting this story to their real world? Oh yeah! We just finished up the
book last week. The kids were finally able to take the books home. I am sure they cracked them open again
with mom or dad. Even the above reactions I have shared are dim compared to the coolest part ever of
this book. It was the fact that Bill took the time to personalize each and every book for each and every
student with his autograph and message. To see their very own name in the book was just too much! They
were totally sold on the story before they even opened to page one. To me, a teacher, to see a child's eyes
grow big with awe and wonder is worth every cent spent on a brand new book! We surely enjoyed our