Rojo Group: Christina Steed and Lauren Finch
Title: In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Author: Bette Bao Lord
Year: 1985
Illustrator: Marc Simont
Recommended for: grades 3-6
Genre: Historical Fiction
Social Studies Resource 1
Students can answer a question (number 1) on the activity sheet for homework. Students will be required to research an ancient Chinese tradition and then write their own opinion about it.
Social Studies Resource 2
Teaching Students about Immigration
This website is a great resource for teachers with lots of ideas and lessons to teach students about immigration and people who immigrated to the United States from other countries.
Teaching Students about Immigration
This website is a great resource for teachers with lots of ideas and lessons to teach students about immigration and people who immigrated to the United States from other countries.
Art Resource
Students can create their own paper lanterns which are important traditions during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Art Resource 2
In this activity, students are making a fan that resembles the fans used by dancers during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Important Characters
Important Characters
Shirley Temple Wong
Shirley Temple Wong is born with the name Sixth Cousin (Bandit)
but changes it to Shirley when she finds out she is moving to America.
Shirley is a very optimistic, hopeful child with a lot of dreams. At times, she
feels defeated and let down by her new American lifestyle, but through
struggles and new friendships she realizes life isn’t so bad. Shirley is a
sweet girl who finds comfort in her new found passion for baseball, especially
a true appreciation for Jackie Robinson.
Mable
Mable is tall, yet thick girl who most people are intimidated by.
Mable comes of as a bully, but deep down inside she has some good intentions.
Mable introduces Shirley to the game of baseball and changes her life. Mable’s
personality changes Shirley’s outlook on the world and how people can change.
Mother
Shirley’s mom leaves China to be with her husband in America.
Just like Shirley, Mother had to adapt to a new lifestyle in America and
change her ways as well.
Summary of Historical Context
Shirley Temple Wong is a young girl moving from China to America after World War II because her father takes an engineering job in New York City. Because she does not speak any English, it is hard for her to make friends in the new country. Shirley feels lonely and misses her family back home in China. Her parents want her to fit in but it is difficult for them to help her. Then, Shirley befriends a classmate and starts learning many new American customs all while keeping the ties to her Chinese roots. There are many parallels of culture for Shirley back in China as well as in America. While living in America, Shirley develops an interest in the all-American sport of baseball. Jackie Robinson, a black male and the MVP of the Brooklyn Dodgers becomes everyone's idol and shows Shirley that anyone can make a difference. This book incorporates many Chinese traditions as well as American traditions as Shirley has room for both cultures in her life.
Element of Social Justice
Element 2: Respect for Others
Discovering diversity of
others was seen throughout In the Year of
the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord. Teachers can take this text
and share a wealth of information about culture and diversity to students. For
example, the lifestyle of those living in China compared to those living in
America is a great way for students to see two different parallels of
lifestyles. Lord not only touches upon the Chinese heritages, but also the
lifestyle of African Americans through Jackie Robinson and some of the
challenges he faces as a black baseball player. Respect for different cultures
is seen through these examples and can open the eyes of different lifestyles
and how to respect everyone’s beliefs and customs to students.
New Jersey Common Core Curriculum Standards
Social Studies
Immigrants come to New Jersey and the United States for various reasons and have a major impact on the state and the nation.
6.1.4.D.2 All students will be able to summarize reasons why various groups, voluntarily and involuntarily, immigrated to New Jersey and America, and describe the challenges they encountered.
6.3.4.A.4 Communicate with students from various countries about common issues of public concern and possible solutions.
Visual and Performing Arts
6.3.4.A.4 Communicate with students from various countries about common issues of public concern and possible solutions.
Visual and Performing Arts
Art
and culture reflect and affect each other.
1.2.5.A.1 Recognize
works of dance, music, theater and visual art as a reflection of societal
values and beliefs.
Activity: Students will be asked to talk to the class about their own culture and background. They will discuss what country their grandparents and great-grandparents originated from. Students then can share a custom of their culture with the class. Then, they can bring in either a food, music, artifact, show a dance, etc., representing their culture.
Activity: Students will be asked to talk to the class about their own culture and background. They will discuss what country their grandparents and great-grandparents originated from. Students then can share a custom of their culture with the class. Then, they can bring in either a food, music, artifact, show a dance, etc., representing their culture.
Letter to Shirley
Dear
Shirley Temple Wong,
Hi Shirley, it's Lauren from your
hometown in China. I am really sorry it took me so long to write, but as you
know things have been very busy over here in China. Your grandparents finally
gave me your address, I'm not sure why it took so long, but I have been waiting
to write to you for months, almost a year now. I see you have changed your name
and you no longer go by Bandit to your American friends. You are now called Shirley Temple Wong; that
is a really pretty name Shirley, you are so lucky.
I have heard much about you since
you have been gone. You seem to be doing well, academically. I am not surprised
Shirley, you always were the intellectual one of our friends. I can't believe
everything you have been through in the past eleven months. I envy the passion
you now have for baseball and for your favorite player, Jackie Robinson. It
seems like you both face the same challenges, even though you live two
completely different lifestyles. What I can't believe is that you are friends with
that horrendous girl Mable that hurt you Shirley! I suppose she is a good
friend now, introducing you to the game that you love and all, but still, OH
SHIRLEY!
I miss you more and more everyday
Shirley, but I am so happy to hear that you are doing well. Please keep in
touch and maybe one day when I am older I can come to America and visit and see
what life is really like. Please write back and keep me updated with your life.
Love your friend,
Lauren
Critique
This book is great for children in grades 3-6. They can easily relate to the issues Shirley is dealing with such as moving to a new place, trying to fit in, and making a difference in the world. This is a well-written, easy to read novel which includes traditions and customs of both Chinese and American cultures and provides historical knowledge of two countries which is very beneficial for children. It is educational while also being entertaining and is a really good choice to use when teaching students about Asian American history. Students will learn about people who came to America, the land of opportunity, to gain a better life for themselves. The events in this book are accurate and appropriate for children. Children will enjoy reading this book and will hopefully be able to connect some of the events with the events in their own personal lives.
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