Piano Starts Here
Publication Information
Author:  Parker, Robert Andrew	Illustrator:
Title:  Piano Starts Here	Date:  2008
Publisher:  Schwartz and Wade	City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  7980375939855	ISBN, hardback:
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:   Yes	Young Adult:
Picture:   Yes
General Information:
Book Type(s):    biography and autobiography, nonfiction
HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies| language arts - reading
Summary:
This wonderfully illustrated picture book reads in the first person like a reminiscence, but actually was written long after jazz pianist Art Tatum died. It tells the story of his childhood, his family,his terrible eyesight, and his journey to success. The scratched ink and water color washes give an almost blurred look to the landscape and makes the reader feel one with Tatum whose sight began to fail at a young age. The afterward is short but helpful.
Teaching Ideas:
A timeline of his life would help the reader gain an understanding of Tatum and his times. Read other books about physically challenge people who overcame their handicap. Read this aloud. Suggest a Copy Change writing project. Be sure to let the students hear Tatum's music. Maybe students would want to take turns reading a page aloud while Tatum's music plays in the background.
Teaching Strategies:
Creating a Classroom Magazine    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/create_class_zine.pdf
K-W-L Instruction Strategy    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/k_w_l.pdf
Think-Pair-Share    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/think_pair_share.pdf
Unsent Letters    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/unsent_letters.pdf
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Celebration Ethnic Groups > African-American > well-known people Music > jazz Music > musicians Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > physical issues

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