My Name is not Isabella

A great kick-off title for Women's History Month or any 'Women in History' thematic unit!

Fosberry, Jennifer.
My Name is Not Isabella.
September 2010.
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

When Isabella is awoken one morning, she suddenly decides she is no longer Isabella. Instead, she makes the day adventurous, through use of her imagination. Throughout the day, Isabella takes on the identity of six various women who left a marked impact at some point throughout history - Sally Ride, Annie Oakley, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Elizabeth Blackwell... and of course, we can't leave out Mommy!

Fosberry provides readers with the utmost basic of information - a first name and one simple word that gives a very broad overview of the role these different women played in history - basic enough that it will allow children to use their "thinking caps" to make inferences (guesses) about what the role they believe these women might have played.

If you use this title as an opener for Women's History Month or even any thematic unit involving the study of women in history, you'll provide the perfect opportunity for a project! Split your class into groups (or assign each child one of the famous women if you happen to be a homeschooler with just a few children). Once they are split into groups, assign each child one of Isabella's identities. Have children work together to research and then create a report of some sort that showcases the key word that is associated with each. For example, the key word that is used in describing Rosa is March. Encourage children to incorporate that key word into their project in some way! Wish the kiddos I work with were older - this could be a really fun project!!!



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