Scat

Scat

By: Carl Hiaason

Published by Random House Children's Books, 2009

Humorous, Relates to Current Events, Courageous, Sacrifice, Turning over a new leaf

Awards:

• Rebecca Caudill young Reader's Book Award Nominee (2011)
• Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (2011)
• Iowa Teen Award Nominee (2011)
• Voya Perfect Ten (2009)
• Goodreads Choice Nominee for Children's Book (2009)

Summary: Bunny Starch is the most feared teacher in all of Truman School. But after attending a field trip to Black Vine Swamp, Ms. Starch suddenly vanishes. The school receives message stating that had a family emergency and is unsure of her return, two of her students, Nick and Marta don't buy it. They believe that one of their classmates is somehow involved in her disappearance and begin to dig for information. However, what they find is something they could not have never predicted.

Grade Level: Lexile Framework, 810L, Grade Level Equivalent, 5.3

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read/Small Group Read

Key Vocabulary: (by page number) anvil (2), cultivate (7), bromeliad (31), embezzling (50), arson (61), trepidation (67), traipse (76), maim (118), menagerie (136), cadence (140), speciation (162), pseudonym (164), crestfallen (205), grousing (213), ornery (249), jargon (269), shrapnel (296), imperial (334), beseeched (353), ominously (356)

4 Teaching Suggestions:

1. Use this text to teach students about the Florida Everglades - the animals found there and why the land is protected.
2. Use this text to teach students about the endangered species in our world - The Florida Panther is one to focus on initially and then build off of this.
3. Use this text to start a discussion about the Iraqi war. This can be a sensitive topic with some students, so tread lightly. They are also only 10-12 years old, so remember to keep the discussion age appropriate.



The Florida Panther

4. Use this text to teach students about current conservation issues in the environment. Allow them to inquire further by performing their own research.

Before Reading: Prior to reading this text, ask students if they know anything regarding The Endangered Species Act or The Conservation Act. Also what do they know about the Florida Everglades? Are students aware of the issue of oil drilling and oil usage? These questions are meant to activate their knowledge and to see what they already know about these different issues.

During Reading: As stated earlier, there are several important messages/themes/issues covered in this novel even though it is considered a humorous novel. Have students keep track of all of these serious issues and what they have learned about them through the novel.

Some of the issues can be as follows: The War in Iraq, Bullying, Conservation, Endangered Species, Illegal Drilling.

The Florida Everglades

After Reading: Upon completion of the text, talk about the changes in Ms. Starch's character and Duane's character from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel. This would also be an ideal time to talk more about any of the serious topics that are mentioned in the novel.

Writing Activity: Have students write a newspaper article about what happened at the end of the novel. Pretend you are a reporter, reporting all of these important events that have recently occurred. If they need to perform further research regarding any of the issues mentioned in the text, encourage them to do so. 

3 Electronic Resources:

1.  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: This website informs students of the conservation issues that are going on in Florida, which is the main setting of the story. Students can explore the species that are endangered in this area.  They can also learn about how they can conserve and how they can help these animals and their habitats.
2. Defenders of Wildlife: This is another site where students can educate themselves on many of the endangered species (animals and plants) found in our country and around the world. It allows students to understand the threats that are facing our wildlife and what the defenders are doing to protect the wildlife.
3. Everglades Foundation: Provides numerous facts about the Everglades, the threats to the Everglades, and how the foundation is working to save the Everglades. The Florida Everglades is a key setting in the novel, so I believe it is important that the students get a better understanding of what the Everglades are. 

Hiaason, C. (2009). Scat. New York: Random House Children's Books