Kelly, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt And Co. (Byr), 2009. Print.
Calpurnia Virgina Tate, also known as, Callie Vee, is growing up at the turn of the century as the middle child in a family of a seven children--and six of them are boys! Calpurnia struggles with the gender role that inevitably appears to be her destiny, even though there are several humorous instances where Callie has her mishaps and sends her mother reeling. Callie has other plans as she is intrigued by nature and the possibilities in science that it holds. Callie finds refuge in her grandfather who is quite the naturalist. Callie struggles as she attempts to defy her gender role, as set forth by her mother while still tending to her passion of the outdoors.
Electronic Resources:
Getting to Know Callie
This link is perfect for encouraging students to interact with the text as they get to know "Callie" through quotations for the text in conjunction with realistic photographs from the setting to assist students in making real connections with the text. From here, students can also locate information on Jackie Kelly.
Creating Nature Journals
This is a resource for educators who wish to embark on assisting students in creating their own nature journals, like Callie. This link provides the how-tos, as well as the significance of the nature journals.
Teaching Suggestions:
Key Vocabulary:
abhorrent
admonishment
antimacassar
appalling
apparatus
asymmetrical
befuddle
beleaguered
chastise
chivvy
clamber
coalesce
debacle
decorous
decrepit
deference
dubious
dyspeptic
efficacious
engorge
laborious
larder
loiter
naturalist
organism
stereoscope
stipulate
stupefy
surreptitious
susceptible
tangent
thwart
toil
wretched
During Reading:
Ask the class to think about the the roles of men and women in The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. What is expected of men? Women? Why do they think this is so? Are these roles still active presently? It is important for the gender roles the students are examining in the novel to be kept in the context of the time frame the novel covers (1899 was a very different time compared to now).
Responding to the Text:
After reading the novel, encourage students to analyze (compare and contrast) the relationship between Callie and her Granddaddy and the relationship between Callie and her mother. How and why are they different? Why do they think that Callie and her grandfather have the relationship they have, and what does that mean for Callie? What does her relationship with her mother mean for her and her future? How are these relationships significant in getting to know Callie?
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