67. Seeds of Change, by Jen Cullerton Johnson

 

67. Seeds of Change, by Jen Cullerton Johnson


Johnson, J.C. (2010). Seeds of change.  NY: Lee & Low Books.

This is the story of Wangari Maathai. As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her.  Although most Kenyan girls were not allowed to go to school, Wangari’s parents saw something special in her and allowed her to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari traveled across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land from big corporations.  Wangari Maathai was the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

The artwork in this book is impressive.  It is vibrant and colorful.  It really helps tell the story of this amazing woman. I found a lesson plan that has a lot of information.  It has a section on background information about Wangari Maathai.  It has pre-reading questions and a vocabulary section.  It has post-reading discussion questions. It has Literature circle plans and writing activities.  It also has ideas on cross curriculum activities.

https://www.leeandlow.com/books/seeds-of-change/teachers_guide

 

 

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