Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Mercy Watson is a pig whom everyone can love especially our first grader.  Kate DiCamillo, in her book Mercy Watson to the Rescue , writes about a true porcine wonder!  Mercy is feisty, spunky and always ready for an adventure.  This was a great choice for our own feisty, spunky girl to begin her explorations in literature.

Activity 1: Mercy Watson Word Cloud

I am a huge fan of wordle! However, I wanted to explore a new program called Word It Out.  So, using either program, create a word cloud highlighting key people, events, or traits related to Mercy Watson to the Rescue. 

Made with WordItOut

Activity 2: Homonyms

What is a homonym? Basically, homonyms are a group of words which share the same spelling but mean different things.  For example, let's look at the word bear.  The following definitions are taken from Webster's Word Central.

bear (noun): a family of large heavy mammals that have long shaggy hair and small tails and feed largely on fruit, plants, and insects as well as on flesh

bear (verb): to move while holding up and supporting; to hold in the mind

As you can see, the meaning of the word bear depends upon its part of speech.  There are many examples used throughout Mercy Watson to the Rescue. Use the following handout to explore homonyms more closely.

Activity 3: Figurative Language

Author's often choose to make their writing more interesting by using figurative language.  Personification represents one particular type.  Personification consists of giving inanimate objects human traits. 

Example: The wind whispers through the trees.

We all know that wind cannot talk, therefore, it cannot whisper.  However, by choosing to use the word whisper in this sentence, you can visualize a soft, cool breeze.  Figurative language allows writers to paint a picture with their words.  It makes the story more fun and interesting!

Now, it's your turn to dive deeper into personification with Mercy Watson.

• Read page 50 in Mercy Watson to the Rescue.  Can you spot the example of personification?

The Watsons' bed sighed loudly and crashed all the way through the floor.

• In this sentence the bed sighs.  Think of other actions the bed might take.  Post stickies on wallwisher as you brainstorm.  While you're at it, create stickies explaining personification too!  Have fun!
• Now that you're becoming a pro with personification, it's your turn to be creative.  Choose an object of your choice.  Write a sentence giving this object a human trait.  To make it more fun, illustrate your sentence using Tux Paint.  Ellie teamed up with her sister and created a Scratch program.  Click the image below to view her program in Scratch.

Activity 4: Fact Versus Opinion

Throughout Mercy Watson to the Rescue, Eugenia Lincoln has an opinion on just about everything.  This is a great opportunity to explore the concepts of fact and opinion. 

Fact: something you know to be true

Opinion: a personal view or belief

Using dabbleboard, create an online fact/opinion chart.  Use Eugenia's examples form the book or include your own.  If you need help, refer to this great website on the wonder of pigs.   Check out our chart!

These activities were adapted from a teacher's guide created by Candlewick Press.  I thought it would be fun to add a techie twist! We have had a blast exploring literature with Mercy Watson!  Check out the rest of the books in this funny and light-hearted series.  Happy Learning!