(A Web Quest for 2^nd Graders)

Featuring Norman Bridwell: Our Author of Study

Click on a topic to find out more information!

Introduction Tasks Worksheet Books

Author Information Fun Activities Conclusion

Teachers Information

Created by Samantha Lawrence, Rachel Newman, and Kirsten Powell

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Introduction:

A webquest is a question oriented investigation in which the learner uses the web to gain knowledge in a specific area. A webquest is a teaching activity that is intended to be user friendly, focusing on the accessible information, rather than how to find that information. A webquest is designed to support students’ learning, specifically focusing on critical thinking, analysis, and assessment.

Tasks:

1. You and your partner will use this Web Quest to investigate the Author, Norman Bridwell.

2. Fill out your worksheets using the information that you can access through this website. Write all answers in complete sentences.

Worksheet:

1. How old is Norman Bridwell?

2. Write a few sentences explaining why Norman Bridwell wrote a story about a girl named Emily Elizabeth and a dog named Clifford?

3. What was the first Clifford book that Norman Bridwell ever wrote?

4. Name three non-Clifford books that Norman Bridwell has written.

5. Who illustrates Norman Bridwell’s books?

6. Who publishes Norman Bridwell’s Books?

7. Your Aunt just sent you a card in the mail! The card reads, “Here is ten dollars for doing so well on your last report card! Please use the money to buy a book. Love, Auntie.” You decide to buy the book, Clifford’s Puppy Days through Amazon how much money do you have leftover after you bought the book? What if you bought the book through Barnes and Nobel instead?

8. What Clifford book looks the most interesting to you? Why?

9. Reflection: What did you like the most about this Author Quest? The least?

10. Find a picture of Clifford to print out and color him in! Submit the picture with your Author Quest worksheet to your teacher when you are finished.

Books:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/writers/writer.asp?cid=87507

Author Information:

Hello boys and girls. This is Clifford the Big Red Dog. I would like to tell you about my friend Norman Bridwell. Some of you many know that Norman is the author of the books about me, Clifford. Mr. Bridwell and I go way back, to the time when your parents were children. This was when he decided to write about me.

Norman Bridwell grew up in Kokomo, Indiana with his family. As a child he loved to draw. Mr. Bridwell spent all his free time drawing pictures and creating stories. Bridwell never thought of being a writer. In high school no one liked his drawings or his writing. But, he kept on drawing.

It was Bridwell’s love for drawing that created me. After going to the John Herron Art Institute, and Cooper Union Art School, Bridwell worked as a filmstrip and slide illustrator. But his love was drawing cartoons like me, Clifford. It was in 1962 when Bridwell decided to take his dream to publishers. He went to about fifteen publishers, all who turned down his drawings. Then, one publisher suggested he write a story to go along with his artwork. It was this suggestion that gave me life.

Bridwell always wanted a puppy when he was little. So, when he created me Bridwell made me the puppy he never had. But I needed a name! Mr. Bridwell wanted to call me “tiny,” but his wife named me “Clifford” after her childhood imaginary friend. From that day the name stuck, and now everyone knows me as Clifford the Big Red Dog. Like anyone, I needed a friend. Bridwell created a little girl for me to play with, and named her after his daughter, Emily Elizabeth.

That was long ago. Now, there are over 42 books about me, and Norman Bridwell has written over 60 books total. The success of Bridwell has been so great that many of his books have been translated to several other languages such as Spanish, Danish, German, French, Chinese, Italian and Greek.

Norman Bridwell now lives on Martha’s Vineyard where he still writes books about me. I wonder what my next adventure will be. What I do know is Bridwell will create a fun, comical story with real-life adventures for me.

For more information on Norman Bridwell visit these sights:

Bridwell on Scholastic Books

Norman Bridwell

Fun Activities:

Watch a Clifford Movie:

http://www.scholastic.com/clifford/kids/theater.htm

Make a Clifford Card for a friend:

http://www.scholastic.com/kids/cards/index.asp

Explore the Beach with Clifford:

http://www.scholastic.com/clifford/kids/beach.htm

Let us see what Clifford and friends do at school:

http://www.scholastic.com/clifford/kids/school.htm

Print out a picture of Clifford to color:

http://pbskids.org/clifford/printables/clifford.html

Play a game with Clifford:

http://pbskids.org/clifford/games/kisses.html

Read a Clifford book:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/flash/story_2.htm

Play Make a word game with Clifford:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/flash/vowels/index.htm

Teacher’s Information:

Learning Objectives:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/tguide.htm#learning

National Standards Correlation:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/tguide.htm#national

Hint bones for the PBS site:

http://pbskids.org/clifford/caregivers/hint_all.html

Subject area skills that Clifford helps with:

http://pbskids.org/clifford/caregivers/bigideas.html#subjarea

Conclusion:

Well, now you know a lot about the man behind those famous Clifford books! How does Norman Bridwell compare to other authors or illustrators you’ve seen? Keep reading so you can find out what adventures Clifford will embark (ruff ruff) on next!

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