A copy of 
 √ "Gooney Bird Greene" by Lois Lowry
 √ "Mr Popper's Penguins" by Richard and Florence Atwater
 √  "Sarah, Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan
 √  "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary

A notebook or folder to keep assignments and worksheets

Pen or pencil and paper for jotting notes or writing important thoughts

A writing journal/notebook for writing practice and brainstorming

Occasional simple craft materials (colored pencils, markers, etc) These will be noted in class and in the classroom the week before they are needed.

All literature is chosen from a generally recognized collection of age-appropriate, often award-winning, books. Parents are encouraged to research any unfamiliar books to be sure they are appropriate for their learner. 

Here is a synopsis for the two books in this unit:
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry: "From the moment Gooney Bird Greene arrives at school, her fellow students are intrigued by her unique sense of style and her unusual lunches. Through Gooney Bird and her interesting and “absolutely true” tales, acclaimed author Lois Lowry introduces young readers to the concepts and elements of storytelling....This book will encourage the storyteller in everyone."  (publisher book summary)

Mr Popper's Penguins:  "The Poppers unexpectedly come into possession of a penguin, then get a penguin from the zoo who mates with the first penguin to have 10 baby penguins. Before long, something must be done before they eat the Poppers out of house and home!  A classic of American humor, this story of a gentle housepainter and his high stepping penguins has delighted children for generations." (publisher book summary)

"Sarah, Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan
"Sarah, Plain and Tall is a story of fulfillment and love.  Sarah comes from Maine to a simple pioneer homestead in response to an ad for a wife and mother.  The child Anna narrates the tale of Sarah's arrival and the uncertainty everyone feels about whether she will stay.  Interwoven themes of longing and belonging are revealed through the sparse but vivid language." (American Library Association)  NOTE: This story references the death of the mother during childbirth several years earlier. The death is treated gently as background information. The story takes place on a farm and there is mention of the death of a farm animal.

"The Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary: 
"In this imaginative adventure from Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary, a young mouse named Ralph is thrown into a world of excitement when a boy and his shiny toy motorcycle check in to the Mountain View Inn. 
When the ever-curious Ralph spots Keith's red toy motorcycle, he vows to ride it. So when Keith leaves the bike unattended in his room one day, Ralph makes his move. But with all this freedom (and speed!) come a lot of obstacles. Whether dodging a rowdy terrier or keeping his nosy cousins away from his new wheels, Ralph has a lot going on! And with a pal like Keith always looking out for him, there's nothing this little mouse can't handle."  (publisher summary)