Activities
Mark Teague provides a step-by-step walk through the illustration process of one of his picture storybooks at this website. Share the photographed steps with your students and then revisit the final product - Detective LaRue, our 2004-2005 Favorite!
Read the transcript from a recent interview of Mark Teague by students and teacher to learn more about his writing and illustrating process.
Or go to the website Reading Rockets to watch a video clip of Mark Teague talking about his books.
After reading the book, have the students view the Reading Rainbow program, The Secret Shortcut (PRO 796.58 SEC). The video highlights orienteering and maps. Students (or the teacher) can then use Neighborhood Map Machine to create a map of their community including important buildings, places, etc. Identify two locations on the map and have the students draw a "secret shortcut" between them.
Make a copy of the school's floor plan. Have the students work in groups to find at least two "secret shortcuts" from their classroom to the cafeteria, the media center, and specials! Next have the students count their footsteps for each shortcut and then compare the three to find out which one is really a shortcut!
Look for shortcuts from the school to neighborhoods or other landmarks on the satellite map on Google! Go to Google - click on Maps - search for "2433 Jamerson Road Marietta GA 30066" Click on Satellite at the top right corner. You can now use the directional arrows and the + and - sliding scale to zoom in and out. You should be able to spot the school! Let the students locate their neighborhoods and then look for shortcuts to the school!