The Summer of the Swans

by Betsy Byars

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In the Newbery Award winning book The Summer of the Swans, Sara's life is turned upside down when her mentally retarded brother disappears. Her brother Charlie loves to go to the lake and watch the swans. Late one night he gets out of bed to follow them and becomes lost in the dark. What follows is a desperate search for the young boy and an unexpected friendship.

Enrichment Activities
Internet Resources
Books by Betsy Byars

Enrichment Activities

Character Chart
Students will analyze the main characters, their relationships with one another, and any distinct characteristics they may have using the Character Chart.
Comprehension Checks
Check your students' comprehension of the story with Test A, Test B, and Test C. Use the Answer Key for correcting.
Conflict Dissection
This graphic organizer will help students to study the story's setting, problem, and solution. Use the Conflict Dissection organizer.
Culminating Projects
Have your students design and complete a project to conclude the unit. Use the Summer of the Swans Projects sheet.
Writing Activity
Sara, the main character, has very low self-esteem. Have students use the Summer of the Swans Writing Activity to describe something they would change about themselves.

Internet Resources

Betsy Byars Autobiographical Statement
Grade Levels: Intermediate, Middle
The author reveals all the major facts about her life.
http://www.edupaperback.org/showauth.cfm?authid=19

Swan Picture Gallery
Grade Levels: Primary, Intermediate, Middle
View beautiful photos of the graceful white bird.
http://www.freefoto.com/pictures/animals/swans/index.asp

Word Find Puzzle
Grade Levels: All
Use this Family Education Network site to create a word find puzzle using vocabulary words from The Summer of the Swans.
http://fen.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/shtml.cgi?A1=../detect/index.html

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