PROJECT 4: Rules and Laws
Activities for Second Graders
By Kelly M. Thorne
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Arnold, T. (1987). No Jumping on the Bed.
New York: Dial Books.
Walter always wanted to jump on the bed. One night, he dreamed that he fell through the floor. When he awoke, he never wanted to jump on his bed again. Walter learns that when you break a rule, there is always a consequence that follows.
Conover, C. (1989). Mother Goose and the Sly Fox.
New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Mother Goose leaves her seven goslings with Mr. Mouse while she goes to town. Although the goslings have been warned not to let anyone in, the sly fox tricks them into opening the door and catches all but one. Mother Goose rescues her goslings by playing a trick on the fox and the goslings learn that doing something they have been warned not to do will only get them into trouble in the end.
Emberley, M. (1990). Ruby.
New York: Little Brown, & Company.
Ruby, a mouse, has to take cheese pies to her grandmother across town. Her mother has given Ruby strict orders not to talk to strangers, especially cats. When Ruby runs into a cat, she has to find a way to get through a sticky situation. Should she listen to what her mother told her, or handle things her own way?
Greene, C. (1991). The Old Ladies Who Liked Cats.
New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
The order of the community is safe and secure until one night the mayor makes a law banning cats outside at night. Due to this, the community order is lost and the town is invaded. The old ladies who liked cats point out the problem to the mayor who then lets the cats out at night so order can return. How do rules and laws affect a community of people?
Hefter, R. (1978). Who Can Trust You, Kangaroo?
New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Kangaroo goes around the neighborhood playing jokes on his friends and neighbors. Once the neighbors decide that Kangaroo is getting out of hand and that the things he is doing are dangerous, they look for ways to put him to a stop. Kangaroo find himself learning a lesson the hard way.
Kroll, V. (1993). A Carp for Kimiko.
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing.
Kimiko is a young Japanese girl who desperately wants a carp kite to fly on Childrenıs Day. But only boys are allowed to have these kites, and Kimiko questions this rule.
McPhail, D. (1995). Those Terrible Toy-Breakers.
Parents Magazine Press.
This story is about children who go around breaking others' toys. It goes on to show that when one breaks rules and does things they are not supposed to do, they usually get caught and there are always consequences in the end. These "toy-breakers" find out what it's like the hard way.
Potter, B. (1987). The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
London: Fredrick Warne & Company.
Peter is a little rabbit who does not listen when his mother tells him to stay away from Mr. McGregor's garden. He goes to the garden and eats some vegetables until Mr. McGregor sees him and tries to catch him. Peter finally finds his way out, but then spends the evening in bed. Peter breaks a rule and has to learn the hard way.
Wilt, J. (1980). A Kidıs Guide to Understanding Parents.
Waco, TX: Educational Products Division.
This is a children's book about parent-child relationships. It includes different ways parents establish and enforce rules about space, time, possessions, work, play, and family habits and customs. This book shows children that parents are people just like they are even though they sometimes seem unfair or unkind by the things they do or say to their children.
Wilt, J. (1978). The Nitty-Gritty of Family Life.
Waco, TX: Educational Products Division.
This book helps the child understand his or her role as a member of the family. Family relationships, rules, and responsibilities are all a part of family life. This book helps the child to accept rules as a vital part of family life.
GO TO PROJECT
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For additional information or comments about these Learning Activities, contact:
Dr. Joy N. Stapleton, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction: Elementary and Middle Grades Education, School of Education, East Carolina University.
