Love that Dog, Love that Reading, Love that Writing.

LOVE THAT DOG BY sharon creech

Evaluator's Response: 

A book about learning, growing, confidence, and personal experience, Sharon Creech's Love that Dog is a treasure to be had in every classroom library. The book describes a student named Jack's journey from loathing poetry, writing it, reading it, you name it, to an undying appreciation for the art. Jack is so taken by the Walter Dean Myers' poem "Love that Boy" that he writes a gushing letter to Myers asking him to visit his school and talk more about poetry. 

As the book progresses, Jack begins to become particular about the color of paper his poems appear on (yellow being his favorite), the space in between lines, and ultimately the inclusion of his name on his featured work in the classroom.

Teacher's Response:

          SEPTEMBER 13

          "I don't want to 

          because boys

          don't write poetry

          Girls do."

An all-too-familiar sentiment from the 12-year-old boys in my classes. Mr. Davenport, do we have to write poetry? Yes. Yes you do. However, Love that Dog is a book both girls and boys can appreciate. The book's storyline follows experiences many students have encountered in the classroom-- you write something descent and what does the teacher do? He or she puts your work up on the wall. While some beam with pride at having their work showcased, others are abashed, "Please take that down. Did you have to leave my name on there?" Apprehensive at first to having his work showcased, Jack always reminds Miss Stretchberry to leave his name off of the typed poem she places on their wall of poetry. 

Moreover, students can get behind the relatability of wanting, losing, or owning a family pet.Stephanie Jones says that there is a "great void" in children's literature that validates ordinary day-to-day experiences. Students who read this book will recall and empathize with this book as well as grow alongside Jack.

Literacy Coach's Response: Clocking in at 86 pages, Love that Dog is not a daunting book, even for beginning or struggling readers. Each page, approximately, holds a single poem, with plenty of white space. The book incorporates many standards-based reading devices, too, such as simple metaphor, simile, imagery, and can even be used to teach theme.

A book that practically scaffolds learning on its own, Love that Dog begins with very simple diction and syntax...

SEPTEMBER 21

I tried.
Can't do it.
Brain's empty.

And builds gradually in complexity. This provides a welcoming first few pages to readers who find deriving meaning from text especially helpful and can even provide a path to an empathetic reading. Maybe they, sometimes too, feel like they can't do it, just like Jack.

Love that Dog

(Inspired by Walter Dean Myers)

by Jack

         Love that dog,

         like a bird loves to fly

         I said I love that dog

         like a bird loves to fly

         Love to call him in the morning

         love to call him

         "Hey there, Sky!"

For a complete lesson outline of Love that Dog, click here!