INTEGRATED LEARNING

NOVELS FOR THE JUNIOR

CLASSROOM

Why use integrated learning in

novel studies?
There is a great amount of focus put on
language, math, and science learning. As
a result many important subjects are
The Curriculum
rushed over or lack the same amount of While all of these books can
time and focus. Students learn best
when they are able to engage with ideas be used to support students
in a variety of ways. Integrated novel development and
studies are a great way for students to competencies in the
delve into many topics that often go
unaddressed. Thus, within this outline
Language curriculum for
you will find 5 novels that you can use in reading, writing, and oral
the junior classrooms to integrate art, communication, I have
social studies, health and physical focused on highlighting the
education into novel studies while
learning about social justice issues such ways in which you can use
as race and class, sexuality, identity, these books for integrating
Indigenous education, mental health and curriculum expectations
anti-bullying.
outside of language.
 The Best at It
By: Maulik Pancholy
Key Themes and Curriculum
Connections
Sexuality and Mental Health
Grade 5 Health and Physical Education and Visual Art
Overall Expectations:
HPE D2. demonstrate the ability to apply health knowledge and social-
emotional learning skills to make reasoned decisions and take appropriate
actions relating to their personal health and well-being;
Visual Art D1. Creating and Presenting: apply the creative process to produce
a variety of two- and three-dimensional art works, using elements, principles,
and techniques of visual arts to communicate feelings, ideas, and
understandings.
Specific Expectations:
HPE D2.4 identify intersecting factors that affect the development of a
person’s self-concept, including their sexual orientation and how these
factors can support their personal health and well-being
Visual Arts D1.1 create two- and three-dimensional art works that express
feelings and ideas inspired by their own and others’ points of view

Activity Ideas
Have students create a self-portrait
(abstract or realistic) that seeks to Summary and Rationale
represent and explore their self-
The Best at It is about a 12-year-old Indigenous American student, Rahul, who
identity. Encourage students to use
struggles with mental health and understanding his sexuality. Rahul is taunted and
positive adjectives that describe
bullied in school for his sexuality and inadequacies and decides he must prove to
themselves as well as things that
himself that he is the best at something. Throughout the book, students are
make them who they are. Through
exposed to themes around mental health, feminism, toxic masculinity, and
this creative and reflective artwork
homophobia. At the end of the novel, Rahul discovers self-acceptance which sends
students are able to explore the
a powerful message to students about the power of choosing to love ourselves.
best parts of themselves in order to
develop self-acceptance and love. This book is a great way for students to discuss and engage in discussions around
intersecting topics. Students are able to read about and relate to a character their
age who struggles with mental health and understanding their sexuality. Through
discussions that can take place, students are able to build positive coping
strategies and develop skills in combatting sexism and homophobia.
 New Kid
By: Jerry Craft
Key Themes and Curriculum Connections
Identity, race, and class issues
Grade 4 Visual Arts
Overall Expectation:
D1. Creating and Presenting: apply the creative process to produce a variety of two- and three-dimensional art
works, using elements, principles, and techniques of visual arts to communicate feelings, ideas, and
understandings.
Specific Expectation:
D1.3 use elements of design in art works to communicate ideas, messages, and understandings

Summary and Rationale

Jordan Banks, a middle school student, feels he has no control over his life
when his parents decide to send him to a prestigious private school. In this
graphic novel, Jordan must deal with bullying and stereotypical comments
about race as he is one of the only black students in a prominently white
school. As the years progress, Jordan begins to change his appearance and
habits as he navigates and struggles with understanding his identity as a
black student trying to fit in to a white neighbourhood.

This is a story of racism, prejudice, and self-identity that allows students to

explore the realities many individuals face every day. Students are able to
discuss issues of race and class that lead to the perpetuation of stereotypes
and exclusion of groups of people. Additionally, through reading the novel
and creating their own graphic page, students are able to explore their
multiple self-identities and how they relate or impact their ability to feel as if
they fit in.

Activity Ideas
Have students create their own graphic novel or graphic
page to be included in a classroom graphic novel about their
self-identities and their interconnectedness.
 Fatty Legs
By: Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokaik-Fenton

Summary and Rationale

Fatty Legs is a memoir of Olemaun, an eight-year-old Inuit

girl and her two years at a residential school. In 1944,
Olemaun asks her father to attend residential schools as she
wants to learn how to read. Her father is very reluctant to
agree as he remembers his own experiences at residential
schools, yet finally relents and allows her to attend school in
Aklavik, Norwest Territories. Throughout the memoir,
Olemaun writes about her encounters and experiences with
a nun named Raven who forces all the girls to cut their hair,
changes their names, and torments them to become “more
Christian.” Olemaun, now known as Margaret refuses, to be
intimated and stands up against the bullying and torture
from both teachers and fellow students.

Key Themes and Curriculum This book is a great way for students to learn about the
Connections experiences of many Indigenous individuals in residential
schools in Canada. Through reading and discussion of this
Indigenous Education
memoir students are able to learn about the history of
Grade 6 Social Studies- Heritage and Identity:
Canada’s role and the impact of residential schools and
Communities in Canada Past and Present
colonial settlers have on Indigenous populations. It is
Overall Expectation:
important to highlight to students that while residentials
A3. Understanding Context: demonstrate an
schools closed in 1996, the effects are still being felt today
understanding of significant experiences of, and
and we as a country still have a long way to come in
major changes and aspects of life in, various
reconciling with our past to move forward in our future.
historical and contemporary communities in Canada
Specific Expectation:
A3.4 describe significant events or developments in
Activity Ideas
the history of two or more communities in Canada
Invite an Indigenous member(s) of the community into the
and how these events affected the communities’
classroom to share about the impact residential schools
development and/or identity
have on Indigenous populations. In doing so, students are
A3.5 describe interactions between communities in
able to learn about residential school experiences through
Canada, including between newcomers and groups
the voices of those whose reality it is .
that were already in the country
 Loser
By: Jerry Spinelli

Key Themes and Curriculum Connections

Empathy and Anti-Bullying
Grade 5 Health and Physical Education
Overall Expectation:
D3. demonstrate the ability to make connections that relate to health and well-being – how their choices and behaviours
affect both themselves and others, and how factors in the world around them affect their own and others’ health and well-
being.
Specific Expectation:
D3.2 explain how a person’s actions, either in person or online, including making homophobic or other hurtful comments,
can affect their own and others’ feelings, self-concept, mental health and emotional well-being, and reputation

Summary and Rationale

Loser is a powerful story about a young boy named
Zinkoff who struggles to fit in socially and
academically in school. The book follows Zinkoff
through middle school where he is gloriously unaware
that he is different from his peers. During fourth grade
after a terrible sports day, his classmates begin to call
him “loser.” He begins to isolate himself from his peers
and wants to become invisible. However, Zinkoff,
never loses his love of life, self-respect, and desire to
help others and becomes known as a hero at the end
of the book.

Activity Ideas
While this a great book to use to continue to develop Students can participate in a community circle where they

students reading, writing, and comprehension skills
this book is additionally beneficial in developing
students’ empathy and anti-bullying skills. Students
are able to relate and develop deeper connections and
understandings of the concepts within the book as the
characters are the same age as the junior students.
can have the opportunity to share their experiences with
bullying or any other concerns. In doing so, students are
able to listen to the stories of others and understand how
words and actions can impact people. Students are thus
able to develop empathy and work towards creating a
classroom, school, and community environment where
everyone is included and accepted.
 I am Malala
By: Malala Yousafzai

Key Themes and Curriculum Connections

Social Justice and Empowerment
Grade 6 Visual Arts
Overall Expectations:
D1. Creating and Presenting: apply the creative
process (see pages 19–22) to produce art works in
a variety of traditional two- and three-dimensional
forms, as well as multimedia art works, that
communicate feelings, ideas, and understandings,
using elements, principles, and techniques of visual
arts as well as current media technologies.
Specific Expectation:
D1.3 use elements of design in art works to
communicate ideas, messages, and understandings

Summary and Rationale

This is a true story about a 10-year-old girl in Pakistan who spoke out and fought against the Taliban for her right to education.
Living in a once peaceful area of Pakistan her home is transformed by terrorism where girls become forbidden from going to
school. This book follows Malala’s fight against the Taliban’s oppressive rule and bans on education of girls, her survival of a
brutal attack, and becoming an international symbol of peaceful protest.

This a great book for students to read and learn about the realities of many other students and children their age who do not
have the same luxuries in terms of education. This book is also a great way to empower students to speak up against injustices.

Activity Ideas
Have students research other young activists who have stood up against injustice. Students
can then create posters that could be displayed in the school hallway for other students to
see and learn about.
 References
Ministry of Education. (2006). The Ontario Curriculum, grades 1-8, language
[revised] 2006. Ministry of Education. Retrieved from
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/language18currb.pdf

Ministry of Education. (2009). The Ontario Curriculum, grades 1-8: The arts, 2009
(revised). Ministry of Education. Retrieved from
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/arts18b09curr.pdf

Ministry of Education. (2013). 2013 revised Ontario Curriculum - Social Studies.

Ministry of Education. Retrieved from
http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/sshg18curr2013.pdf

Ministry of Education. (2019). Health and physical education - ministry of education.

Ministry of Education. Retrieved from
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/2019-health-physical-
education-grades-1to8.pdf