The Video Shop Sparrow - New Zealand

The Video Shop Sparrow
Joy Cowley
Illustrated by Gavin Bishop
1999 Mallinson Rendel Publishers
Wellington, New Zealand

In The Video Shop Sparrow, George and Harry notice a sparrow stuck inside of a video shop which has a sign saying it will be closed for two weeks. The boys realize that this is a huge problem for the sparrow since it has no food inside the shop and no one is taking care of it. They decide it is their job as good citizens to rescue the bird so they approach different members of the community who might be able to help including their parents, the police and even the mayor. When the boys are finally able to find the help they need, they are featured in the local newspaper as sparrow heroes.

"Help in the Community"

Standards:
English Language Arts
2-1 The student will read and comprehend a variety of literary texts in print and non-print formats.
2-1.1 Analyze the details that support the expression of the main idea in a given literary text.
2-1.7 Create responses to literary texts through a variety of methods (for example, writing, creative dramatics, and the visual and performing arts).
Social Studies
2-2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the local community and the way it compares with other communities in the world.
2-2.3 Summarize the roles of various workers in the community, including those who hold government jobs there.
2-3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of origins, structure, and functions of local government.
2-3.1 Recognize different types of local laws and those people who have the power and authority to enforce them.
2-3.2 Identify the roles of leaders and officials in local government, including law enforcement and public safety officials.

Objective: The student will recognize how George and Harry looked for help from different community members and act out a scene in which they approach members of their own community to solve a unique problem.

Materials: Assorted props the students can use for their skits, use whatever is available or have the students create their own.

Procedure: After reading The Video Shop Sparrow, the teacher will ask the students to discuss what the boys in the story did to help the sparrow. Have the students name the characters that the boys went to for help. Have the students name other people in their community and what kind of help they can provide.
In small groups, the students will create their own skit in which they encounter a problem and approach community members for help to solve the problem. The groups can perform their skit for the other groups.