Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis takes place during the depression. Bud is an orphan and goes to try and find his father. His suitcase and its possesions are the most important thing to him. This is one of my favorite novel units and here are some activities to go along with it.
Bud likes to make up rules to live by. After reading several chapters with your students have them create some of their own "rules to live by."
Students can do this activity individually or with a partner. Have students share theirs with the class. This would make a wonderful book to keep in the classroom for students to enjoy all year.
All of bud's important possessions are in his suitcase. Have students make their own suitcase using a cereal box or cracker box.
1. Glue down the flap on the top of the box.
2. Cut one of the long sides so that it is open.
3. Make a handle pattern and have students trace it on tag board. They will need to cut out 2 of them.
4. Cover the box with plain paper any color. Leave the open part uncovered.
5. Glue the handles on each side of the open box and let dry.
6. Decorate the box like a suitcase.
7. Have each student take his box home and put three or four personal possessions in it that are important to him.
8. Each student will share what is in his box and why he chose it.
Hooverville was a cardboard jungle that Bud and Bugs stayed the night so that they could hop the train the next morning.
After reading the chapter about hooverville, have each student create an illustration of what it looked like. They should include the main characters with labels. I also have them write a summary of the chapter to go with the picture and then display the finished projects on a bulletin board.
Herman E. Calloway, who Bud thinks is his father plays in a Jazz Band.
Play a jazz music CD for your students so that they understand this music genre.
See if they can identify any of the instruments in the music you play for them. Your music teacher may be able to do this lesson for you if you are lucky!
During one part of the story Bud waits in line at the mission to get breakfast. His "pretend" family gets him in since he was late. While eating oatmeal his pretend mom asked her own children if they minded if she sprinkled some of the brown sugar she brought for them on buds oatmeal.
Make oatmeal in a Crockpot for your class to enjoy after reading this part of the story. Make sure you have some brown sugar that they can sprinkle on top.
Bud had rocks that he kept in his suitcase. The rocks had a city names and some numbers written on them.
Organize a rock swap. Pro Teacher would be a great source to use to arrange this. Have schools from all over the country send small rocks found in their area. You can send some of your rocks to them.
You may need to do a rock study in science to know the different kinds of rock like sedimentary or granite and well as lots of others.
Bud talks a lot about his life and how he has changed. Have students create a time line of Bud's life. Make sure your students understand how a time line is read. You could have some students make horizontal timeliness while others do vertical. Then compare how each would be read.
Assign small groups to role play their favorite scene from the book. Have them create a large backdrop for the scenery and a short script. Be sure to have them practice using the accents from the story. They could even dress up for their part.
Since Bud was an orphan he may have wanted a nice family to adopt him.
Have students create and advertisement for Bud. Why should he be adopted? What strengths does he have? Be sure they include an illustration that is colored.
Display the finished posters in your classroom. Your students will love to read them.
You could also do an acrostic poem using only his first name or both his first and last. Students should come up with a word for each letter of his name that describes his character.
B
U
D
C
A
L
D
W
E
L
L
Compare and Contrast can be a difficult skill for children. This activity can be used when reading the story Bud, Not Buddy.
Make a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast yourself and Bud. Include surroundings, family, personality, beliefs, characteristics and experiences.
This works best done by individual students. Give them a pre made venn diagram so they don't have to fuss with making the circles even.
