The Legend of Lightning Larry Free Unit Study and Lapbook

Author: Aaron Shephard
Illustrator: by Toni Goffe
ISBN: 0938497278
Summary: This is a book about a nice Cowboy who is constantly provoked to fights by outlaws. In the gunfights, his pistol shoots lightning bolts of love that hit the bad guys hearts. Once struck they turn from their sinister ways and help Larry fight against evil.

*created by Breezy Tulip

**you could use this for a variety of things-- a recorded narration, a Bible verse, the alphabetical order list (in language arts lessons), information about a famous cowboy, etc.

***see assembly directions in lesson ~ found under SCIENCE

BIBLE & CHARACTER

Bible Study: Paul's Conversion
Read the story of Paul’s conversion (Acts 9). God’s blinding light could be paralleled to Larry’s bolts of light. Discuss Paul’s attitude and change of heart.

Good vs. Evil
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
Lapbook component: Romans 12:21 Boot Shape Book (boot created by Breezy Tulip)

When Larry is faced with opposition from those that wish to do evil. He overcomes it. He shoots his bolts of light (just like Jesus’ love) into the evil gang members’ hearts. The love in turn transforms them into loving, peaceful citizens that care for others. Discuss with your child how Jesus has done this same thing in our hearts.

You can also discuss good vs. evil as you do the following:
Make two columns: “Evil Deeds” & “Good Deeds” List under each heading what the outlaws did when they were evil and then what they did when they were good. You could include Paul’s evil vs. good deeds from the Bible lesson as well. This lesson could lead into even further discussion of sin and righteousness as you see fit for your student.

Possible Memory Verses
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers.
James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Author’s Website- The story is available on the author's website, but the illustrations are great, so if it is available at your library --get it! You can also hear the story in the author’s voice on this website. This was a fun treat for the kids.

Tall Tales
Most tall tales have some elements of truth but much has been exaggerated. You may wish to read some other tall tales with your student. (Paul Bunyan, John Henry, Davy Crockett). While Davy Crockett existed, many stories about him are not true. Lightning Larry is not a real person but an imaginary person the author has made up. Legends are stories that are passed down from one generation to another.

Tall Tales have various characteristics (see list below). Discuss the characteristics of tall tales with your student. Which ones are noted in the story? You may wish to read some other tall tales with your student to compare to The Legend of Lightning Larry and note which characteristics are found in those tall tales, too.

Lapbook component: Tall Tales Tri-fold

Tall Tale Characteristics (print worksheet activity)
The main character can accomplish great feats using strength, skill, or wits
The main character is helped by a powerful object or animal
The main character has super-human abilities
The author uses exaggerations
The setting of the story begins with the hero as a child
The plot of the story is humorous (funny) and impossible
The main character has one or more companions (i.e. Johnny Appleseed's animals)
The story includes lots of action
The main character solves a problem, defeats villains, or overcomes an obstacle
The main character dies or disappears at the end

Other Tall Tales to Read
Johnny Appleseed retold by Steven Kellogg
Paul Bunyan retold by Steven Kellogg
Paul Bunyan and Other Tales by Jane Mason
Pecos Bill retold by Steven Kellogg
Mike Fink retold by Steven Kellogg
American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne

You may also wish to discuss with your student that stories in the Bible are credible (true). Stories like David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lions Den, Noah, Moses, Jonah, etc. are all real stories that include miracles (not magic) through the power of God and they are not made up from men's exaggeration but have been given to us by God.

Alliteration
The Title of the Book is an Alliteration (same initial consonant sound Legend Lightning Larry). Does your student think this is a good title? The next time your student writes a story, encourage him to use alliteration in the title.

Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns. The tall grass, the blue sky, the wild pig.
Discuss the outlaws names and the meanings. Discuss the adjectives that describe each character.

Go-along book for learning about adjectives: Many Luscious Lollipops by Ruth Heller

Dictionary Skills/Adjectives/Alliteration
Make up new names for your outlaws: Make two lists. One titled “Bad or Old Names” the other titled “New or Good Names”. List the old names and then grab a dictionary and see if you can give the outlaws new names to go along with their new hearts. If your child is too young to look it up themselves-show them how to use a children’s dictionary and read through some words that coordinate with that letter and let them choose a new adjective: Example: Moldy Mike could now be Merciful Mike, or Magnificent Mike. Have your child make up or choose an alliterated name to describe him or herself. Example-- Likable Lexi, Extraordinary Elijah, Quiet Quinton, etc. Lapbook Component: Alliteration Minit Book

Onomatopoeia
If you have discussed onomatopoeia before, see if your student can find an example in this story (zing).
Lapbook Component: Onomatopoeia Flap

Vocabulary
commotion- noisy excitement and confusion
scowl- to make a frowning expression
ferocious- mean, angry, wild or threatening in appearance
shuddered- to tremble with fear or horror
plunked- to drop or set down suddenly
traitor- one who is unfaithful
puzzled- confused; someone who doesn't understand
saloon- a place of business for the sale of drinks, usually alcoholic
showdown- time to show who is the best
draw- reach for your gun and bring it out
outlaw- the "bad guy"; criminal, lawbreaker
Lapbook component: Vocabulary Shape Book (hat created by Breezy Tulip)

Geography Detective
Perhaps your child could become a detective and uncover clues to see if the author may have had a particular state in mind when he decided to name this town. They could write clues and facts to go with their theory. (Cottonmouth snakes are a big clue!) Your student may even want to help you write a letter to the author (use his website) asking what state this story is set in.

Map Making
Have your child draw a map or build a Lego city of Brimstone. Designate the bank and the saloon, the Okey-Dokey Corral, and other places that may exist in a town (a general store, a jail, etc.) Many of these old towns only consisted of one or two streets where all the businesses were. Discuss what kinds of stores and businesses would be important to a town in those days.

History: The Old West
Discuss the details in the text and in the illustrations that clue us in as to the setting of this story (cowboys, disputes being settled with guns, the clothes of the characters, the desert looking surrounding on the first page, the use of the word outlaws, etc.

As the West was being discovered, some new towns were springing up. By 1849 80,000 people from all over the globe had arrived in California for the “Gold Rush.” Owning and carrying guns in that day were common. Disputes were often settled with a gunfight because there was little to no local law enforcement throughout the Old West. The roots of the Old West were grown in greed, adventure, and survival; sometimes it is referred to as the WILD West. Can your student guess why?

The American Old West comprises the history, myths, legends, stories, beliefs and cultural meanings that collected around the Western United States in the 19th century.

History: Past vs. Present
Look at the towns, the people’s dress, the buildings, the modes of transportation, lighting used, etc. Compare them to present day things.
Lapbook Component: Past/Present Strip Book

Culture: Cowboy Clothes
Have children draw or trace (or print) a picture of Lightning Larry. Label the clothing.
Chaps-are made from leather-hides-to protect the horse rider from getting chapped legs due to riding all the time. (Discuss with your child what might happen if chaps were not available.)
Spurs: metal spikes that were mounted to boots -used to help make the horses go.
Holster- a special belt and leather pouch to hold a gun.
Bandana- worn around the neck as a neckerchief
Cowboy Boots
Cowboy Hat- also known as a Stetson

SCIENCE

The Cottonmouth Snake
The local saloon was named after the cotton-mouth snake. Also known as the Water Moccasin. The cotton mouth is a poisonous snake. In abundance in Texas-especially around rivers, lakes and streams. They are found in the south eastern states and as far west as mid-Texas, and as far north as Southern Illinois. Thought to be an aggressive snake, however it does not chase but will stand its ground. When scared it will open its mouth showing its inner white lining, hence the name cottonmouth. It's bite is more lethal than the copperhead. More about the Cottonmouth Snake
Lapbook Component: Cottonmouth Snake Layer Book

Shadows and Telling Time
Discuss the absence of clocks and how the sun determined the meeting time (high noon). How did the cowboys determine when to do things? They were dependent on the sun (Where is the sun in the sky at "high noon"?).

Shadow Experiment:
Take a small object (such as a teacup outside) and place it on a posterboard. Let your student trace around the shadow (if you don't have a posterboard, you can set the object on pavement or on the sidewalk and use sidewalk chalk). Go out every hour and trace the shadow again. What happens? Where is the shadow at 8 am? 10 am? Noon? 2 pm? etc.
You can log your student's observations in this minit book: Shadow Observation Flap Book
Have your student write the time (of his observation) on the clock and draw the object and its shadow under the flap.
*To assemble the shadow observation book, cut it out as one piece. Fold in half. Unfold. Fold the left side under. Fold the right side under. Turn the book over and cut on the lines between the clocks (creating six flaps). Fold in half again. "Shadow Observation" should be your front cover.

APPLIED MATH

Ten
(Ten Paces) The story mentions a gunfight. (You can view these on many of the old movies). The fighters meet in the center of town. They stand back to back and walk 10 paces forward each-then they turn around and draw their guns.. How many paces apart in distance are they now? (20) What if they continue on for 10 more paces? Practice this with your child. Counting the steps and turning around and figuring the math.

Applied Math: Currency
Play Bank. Have your student be the banker and convert the currency from coins to dollars or from dollars to coins.

Counting-Grouping
Count any number of objects on the pages. Candles in chandelier, etc. You could begin skip counting or grouping with your younger child.

ART

Drawing Facial Expressions
Look at the illustrations of the people’s faces. Can your student draw faces similar to those in the story? Encourage your student to try different expressions- a mean look (scowl); a happy face (after conversion via lightning bolt!)

Humor in Art
The details in the illustrations are so funny! If your student hasn't noticed any by the 3rd or 4th day, you may want to point out some of Toni Goffe's funny pictures.
Notice the page where Curt is going to "fight" Larry. Look at the chandelier!
What about when Stinky Steve is robbing the 79th National Savings and Loan? (People are holding their noses!) When he brings the money back, even the cat has a clothespin on her nose!
One illustration shows a dog waiting for a drop of lemonade (by the band).

What other funny things can your student find? Log all the funny details in this printable Humor in Art Matchbook.

Videos
Western Themed shows for kids
Veggie Tales- Little Joe -Western Theme about forgiveness.
An American Tale-Fievel Goes West
The Apple Dumpling Gang

Recipes
Lemonade
Larry’s favorite drink-real freshly squeezed lemonade. Squeeze a lemon into a glass. Add water and sugar to taste. Add ice to make it good and cold. Enjoy!
Lapbook Component: Lemonade Recipe Pocket with Recipes (Make lots of different lemonades this week! Which one does your family like the best?)

Directions: In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon pieces until browned. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet with the bacon, and stir in the
green pepper and onion. Continue to cook until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the chili seasoning mix until the meat is coated. Add the tomatoes and beans to the skillet, mix well, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

RESOURCES

Library List
Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett (another HSS Unit)
Cowboy Small by Lois Lenski
Jalapeno Hal by Jo Harper
Little Red Cowboy Hat by Susan Lowell
Calico the Wonder Horse, or the Saga of Stewy Stinker by Virginia Lee Burton
Deputy Harvey and the Ant Cow Caper by Brad Sneed
You Wouldn't Want to Live in a Wild West Town! by Peter Hicks
Rodeo Ron and His Milkshake Cows by Rowan Clifford
I Want To Be A Cowboy by Dan Liebman
Cowboys and Cowgirls by Gail Gibbons
Cowboy Dreams by Kathi Appelt
Billy Blaze books by C. W. Anderson (HSS has a unit for the first in the series, Billy and Blaze)
Cowboy Country by Ann Herbert Scott
Young Cowboy by Will James
Cowboy Andy by Edna Walker Chandler
Cowboy Up! by Larry Dane Brimner *reader
Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
Why Cowboys Need a Brand by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
The Toughest Cowboy: or How the Wild West Was Tamed by John Frank
The Dirty Cowboy by Amy Timberlake
Lasso Lou and Cowboy McCoy by Barbara Larmon Failing

MORE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Story Writing Activity: Ideas for your child to write his own cowboy story
If your student does this, you could make a pocket to store the story in for her lapbook.

Science: Snakes
If your older student is interested, have him research the snakes that live in your neck of the woods

Science: Desert Animals
Do further research on desert animals, plants, insects and birds. Another common insect of the southwestern area of the US is the scorpion.

Science: Brimstone
The name of the town is Brimstone. The word brimstone means sulfur. Your child could look up the word and study more about Brimstone. There are also many Bible references to brimstone associated with judgment. Why do you think this is so?

Legendary Lawmen
The story mentions Wild Bill Hickock and Wyatte Earp. Your older students can do further study to find out who are these people and why they are mentioned in this story.

Clothing Design (occupation tie-in)
Let your student be a fashion designer! Trace over or draw clothing and design new chaps, new boots, a new shirt , new handkerchief for Larry. perhaps 1 for every day of the week. Design, new dresses and hats for the ladies.

Materials and information on this website belong to the original composers. It may be used for your own personal and school use.

Romans 12:21 Boot Shape Book*	Vocabulary Cowboy Hat Shape Book*	Past/Present Strip Book
Tall Tales Tri-fold	Lemonade Recipe Pocket with Recipes	Humor in Art Matchbook
Alliteration Minit Book	Shadow Observation Flap Book***	Picture- Lightning Larry (use for cover or for cowboy clothing lesson)
Onomatopoeia Flap	Cottonmouth Snake Layer Book	Cowboy Shape Book (blank)**
ABC Order Easy	ABC Order Hard