Dr. S.'s Literacy Read Aloud & Literacy Podcast

Katherine Paterson‘s Book Bridge to Terabithia - Some Thoughts and Some Project Ideas

This podcast follows up on my reading of Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. I say a bit about the author, outline the main idea and supporting events of the story and then give the teacher or the parent ideas for following up with students or children on their reading of or hearing the story. I try to indicate in sufficient detail just what can be done with this book to extend and deepen learning. This is the essence of literacy development.

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 13 - Building the Bridge

In this, the last chapter, Jess wakes up to a bright sunny day and goes to Terabithia to lay flowers out for Leslie, which was his way of saying goodbye. He had to cross further away from the usual crossing and there was a stump of a tree that he was able to use. He was no sooner done than he heard May Belle calling for help. She wanted to join him but was stuck on the wooden tree. Jess helped her find the courage as he had been helped to find the courage by Leslie. On Monday, he was surprised by the response of his teacher who he had mocked who tried to comfort him and talked about when her husband had died and the fear that he would not be remembered. His last shock was coming home and finding Leslie's parents readying to leave in a U-Haul. They were taking P. T. and apologized for that. Bill Burke's did encourage Jess to use any of the wood out the back that he wanted. That is what Jess did. He took the wood and built a bridge to Terabithia and said he wanted May Belle to feel safe crossing and maybe even Joyce Ann.

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 12 - Stranded

Jesse goes down the lane with his parents to the old Perkins place. He is met at the door by P. T. and by Leslie's grandparents. Who know who he is because of the dog's response and then Bill, Leslie's father, comes and hugs Jesse. He tells Jesse that Leslie was cremated and they are taking her ashes to Pennsylvania for spreading the next day. Jess is angered by this because no one came to him and told him what was happening. He felt it was as if he was nothing to Leslie. He ran out of the house, home, where he smacked May Belle and ran to his room. His father came home and took him into his arms and comforted him and convinced Jess that Leslie was going to heaven, not to worry. This comforted Jess and, when there next day, Mr. Aarons asked if he could look after the dog, his mother never said a word and so P. T. slept with Jess all night.

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 11 - NO!

Jess is dumbstruck at this news and pushes the reality out of his mind. He runs into his room and then after a bit, jumps up and comes back, having remembered that he forgot to milk the cow. He tells his mother and his siblings but his mother tells him that his father was doing the milking for him. His mother insists he sit down and eat pancakes and he does and seemingly enjoys the food. His older sisters are mocking him and annoyed that he seems to be ignoring the sad event that they are all struggling to deal with. They yell at him and he runs out and runs down the lane. His father comes along in the truck and cuts him off and picks him up and carries him home and then says he and his mother are going to go visit Leslie's parents, but they are not sure where they might be with the body.

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 10 - A Perfect Day

At the beginning of the chapter, we hear how Jess thought he might solve the problem of his growing fear of swinging over the creek to get to Terabithia. He knew that Les was not afraid, and he couldn't figure out how to just come out and say he WAS afraid. While he worried about what to do, he received a call from his teacher, Miss Edmunds, who was calling to invite Jess to go with her to Washington, D. C. to visit the National Art Gallery and the Smithsonian. He knew he had to ask permission so he SORT OF woke his mom to ask permission and then told Mae Belle where he was going. He had a wonderful day with his teacher who even insisted on treating him for lunch. When they drove home, he ran down the lane and into the house only to find out that the whole family was worried sick about him because Leslie had drowned and they were sure he had too.

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 9 - The Evil Spell

Jess and Leslie spend every day of the week now going to Terabithia and pretending to be king and queen of their realm. They use a rope to swing across the creek which is becoming increasingly swollen due to constant rains that week. Each day, Jess becomes more fearful of the crossing and Leslie just taunts him by pretending to place a curse on the enchanted forest hideout. But Jess finally decides after four days of rain and dangerous banks of the creek that he will just tell Leslie he won't go. He is ashamed of his fear but he knows it is far too dangerous.

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 8 - Easter

Easter is coming and everyone is talking about what they will wear to church. Then, Mr. Aarons comes home and announces he has lost his job. Gone is the idea of new clothes. Leslie asks if she can come to church and Mrs. Aarons agrees to that. In the end, the womenfolk all get something new and. the family piles into the truck and go to church. After the service, Jess Leslie and May Belle are talking about the story and May Belle asks what happens if one of them dies?

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 7 - The Golden Room

Jess begins to be jealous of all the time that Leslie is spending helping her father renovate and fix up their house. Leslie tells him to just ask if he can help. So he does and Leslie's father becomes amazed at how much of a help Jess really is. One day at school, they hear Janice Avery crying in a stall in the washroom and Leslie finds out what the matter is and both of them realize that no one has it easy at home. May Belle admits she knows about Terabithia and Jess threatens to tell everyone that she wets her bed still if she ever tells their secret.

Bridge to Terabithia - Chapter 6 - The Coming of Prince Terrien

In this chapter, we come to see just how deep the relationship between Jess and Leslie is. We also learn a lot about the character of Jess and how good his nature is. Christmas is coming and he struggles to make decisions about what to give his sisters and how to save something for Leslie. On the bus ride home, one day, though he sees a sign offering free puppies and his problem is solved. Leslie loves her gift and names him Prince Terrien. He manages to please even his sisters Christmas morning.

Using a StoryBook to Encourage Thinking, Writing, Speaking, Creating

There is a skillset involved in taking a picture book which you read to a child or a group of children and encouraging them to then think, write, speak, or create. I used to read the Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf to my teachers - in - training and show them how to use the words, pictures and elements of the story to encourage reading and geography and social and emotional learning skills and that was always a big success with my students.