Pistes d'exploration

What are some rules about spelling that you can extrapolate from the story (such as using small words to spell longer words)? Work as a class to make a list of spelling strategies.

Start a personal list of your lulu spelling words, including some of the words from the illustrations. Think of interesting ways to memorize them. Work with a partner and quiz each other on these challenging words.

Prepare a show and tell about something you like, using Beatrice’s style. Insert a few spelled words. Using an inside-outside circle structure, have each partner say the words you spell.

With a partner, draw a character map for Beatrice including information on her physical characteristics, family and friends, emotions and interests.

In the book the word lulu is used often, in different contexts. Try to guess what it means in each case. Look it up in a teacher-selected resource to confirm your guess.

Look around the room (at posters, charts, etc.) for interesting words. Add them to your personal dictionary. Take turns spelling and saying them with a partner.

Prepare a show and tell about something you like, using Beatrice’s style. Insert a few spelled words. Using an inside-outside circle structure, have each partner say the words you spell.

Max's Words

Mots-clés

Picture book , intergenerational relationships , letters , perseverance , show and tell , spelling , spiders , words

Commentaire descriptif

Beatrice wants to learn to put letters in the right order to form words. But how to do that is a mystery. She tries and tries and tries. When she finally gets it right, it almost seems like “no one in her family cared a crumb about spelling.” But then Nanny Hannah comes to stay and they embark on a most wonderful adventure into the world of spelling. And once she gets the bug, she can’t stop. Everything Beatrice encounters is now either a word to master or a spelling mistake to correct! “You are my spelling Bea,” coos her grandmother. Gorgeous illustrations in an American folk art style use a subtle, sumptuous palette of watercolours. When Beatrice tries to start a spelling club, her classmates go on a spelling strike – until she inspires them to change their tune, with a creative “show-and-spell” act involving her pet tarantula, Rose. This entertaining story is written in a playful voice to match its artfully painted scenes. We see children correcting words like “desert” into “dessert” with spyglasses and binoculars in hand. Capitalized, spelled-out words are embedded throughout. An inspiring read-aloud book and a great story to incite a spelling revolution in the classroom.