Book Title: Goal! by Mina JavaherbinShort Description of the Book: In this story, Javaherbin tells the story of a game of soccer played by a group of friends in a South African village, despite dangers. FOCUS: Narrative Features I would Use in a Mini-Lesson:• Establish a plot, point of view, setting and conflict: Javaherbin using the point of view of one of the characters to develop the plot and conflict of the soccer game. • Show, rather than tell, the events of the story: Javaherbin uses specific language to describe the soccer game, including swift kicks and the fleet-footedness of the players.TEACH: CCSS Connection: W.5.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.1. Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.2. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.3. Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events.4. Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.5. Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events. I found the illustrations to be extremely vivid and they really helped bring the emotions of the boys to life. Although there was an underlying theme of bullying here, I didn't find that it sent a clear message to children on how to deal with the issue. I did find it helpful in teaching children about other cultures and how something, like football (or to Americans, soccer) can unify a group of children and make them feel protected. This could be utilized in the classroom to generate a discussion on how, despite cultural difference, what are some things that can unify a group of children.
Do You like book Goal! (2010)?
Great picture book! Lots to discuss. Beautiful pictures
—Kanji
Can't wait to read this to my students in the library.
—kashika
