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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: This teacher's guide for the Josefina series of six books is an excellent resource for teachers and other adults who want to use this program for educational purposes. It contains an overview for the series, which includes a map and the historical context for the books. Each book is addressed individually with plenty of teacher's notes. Plot summaries and themes are explained for each book, and margin notes bring in additional information. There are vocabulary words for each book, and the teacher's introduction includes suggestions for working with vocabulary. Worksheets cover "Before Reading", "As You Read", and "After You Read", which is a common process used for going through literature in the classroom. There are four worksheets for each book and each worksheet has three to four thought provoking questions. Charts, diagrams, and other word mapping graphs are used on some of the worksheets. For those who believe that hands-on learning is best, there is an extended idea section at the back of the guide. "Give a Tour of Josefina's Home", "Interview Abuelito and Patrick O'Toole", and "Make a Model of Josefina's Home" are three of the five ideas presented. The structure and the type of materials in this book will be familiar to teachers. This curriculum would work well in the classroom. I did not see a grade level recommendation for this guide, but I have taught all elementary grades first through fifth, and I would not use it before fourth grade. My recommendation is for fourth through eighth grades. Adults instructing second or third graders may find the information useful, but the materials inappropriate (unless you want to use it with gifted third graders). But, as all teachers know, you take the information and materials that are appropriate for your group, and leave the rest. If you are using the Josefina books with a group of students, though, you won't want to leave this guide behind.
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