Karen Hesse
Lesson plans for Witness and other works

| Biography and Background | | Aleutian Sparrow | | Come on, Rain! | | Letters from Rifka | | The Music of Dolphins | | Out of the Dust | | Witness |

Biography and Background

Karen Hesse
Biography at the author's Wikipedia page.

Aleutian Sparrow

Aleutian Sparrow
This reading group guide includes discussion questions and ideas for postreading activities.

Come on, Rain!

Supporting Vocabulary Development with EASE
Students learn 10 vocabulary words using graphic organizers, similes, and more. This lesson uses Come on, Rain! but could also be used with other titles.

Letters from Rifka

Letters from Rifka
These lessons emphasize social studies skills.

Letters from Rifka
Six activities to support the book: journal writing, drawing a map, creating a timeline, collaborative analysis, conducting an interview, and researching another country. Adobe Reader required for access.

Letters from Rifka
Pre-reading prompt and worksheet, practice with predictions (graphic organizer), pacing guide for reading, comprehension questions organized by section, and extension activities. This 14-page document requires Adobe Reader for access.

Letters from Rifka
Booktalk.

The Music of Dolphins

The Music of Dolphins
Summary, 10 discussion questions, and suggested activities.

Out of the Dust

Click here : these lesson plans have been moved to their own page.

Witness

Witness
Summary and 9 discussion questions.

Witness
Summary, discussion questions, author interview, and related titles.

Witness
A list of reading activities that emphasize research and analysis appropriate for this novel.