My students need a classroom set of Al Capone Does My Shirts, a novel set during the 1930's on Alcatraz Island. It delves into the topics of autism, family, and sacrifice.
I teach in a small, rural community where many students live in single-parent homes or else are being raised by grandparents or foster families. Although they exhibit a strong desire to learn and grow, they do not always have access to materials needed for success.
Full of life, laughter, and passion for learning, my students want to be challenged and loved.
Middle school kids are amazing! One minute they are completely engrossed in childlike, schoolyard games of kickball and tag, and the next they are enamored with social media posts and status updates. They truly are caught in the middle, and part of my job is to provide the tools necessary to enable them to carefully maneuver through these transitional years. I especially enjoy the energy my students have in and out of the classroom. Their witty comments and interesting insights are often surprising and definitely keep me on my toes!
My Project
I have worked diligently to create a unit based on the novel, Al Capone Does My Shirts. This novel not only teaches students about Alcatraz Island during the 1930s, but it offers an intimate look at the sacrifices a family is willing to make to take care of all of its members.
Students love history, especially when they don't know they are learning it!!
Through this novel study, students will study the history of Alcatraz Island, the background of Al Capone, and the symptoms of and treatments for autism. As we read the novel, students will also conduct research projects and character analyses. An award-winning novel, this book is a favorite of middle schoolers. Although I have picked up a few copies at the local Goodwill and the Half-Price Book Store, I would love to have a few more copies to make a full classroom set so each student can read along individually.
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