Thomas Anthony dePaola is an American author and illustrator who has written over 200 children's books. Some of his most famous works include Strega Nona and 26 Fairmount Avenue. DePaola was influenced by his Italian heritage in his books. He was awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 2011 for his contributions to children's literature.

1. By Wasan F. Abu-Baker

2.  Thomas Anthony "Tomie A."
dePaola, is an American author
and illustrator of over 200
children's books.
 His work includes Caldecott
Honor book Strega Nona and
Newbery Honor book 26
Fairmount Avenue.
 DePaola was awarded the
Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in
2011.
 His Italian heritage influences
his books.

3.  Text Structure – narrative, informational
 Level – 3rd grade
 Enduring Understanding (purpose for reading)
 Our community is different from other communities around the world
 Essential Questions (what students will know and be able to do)
 How is our community different from communities around the world?
Before Reading
 Vocabulary (Introduce the words and have students fill out the
vocabulary chart)
 Convent, cure, potions, simmer, applause, barricade
 Activate/Build Prior Knowledge
 Look at the cover of the book and discuss the title of the book. See what ideas
the children come up with about Strega Nona
 Do a picture walk and discuss what the children see and therefore predict what
is going to happen in the story.
 As a group choral read the first page together
 Discuss the meaning of Strega Nona and let the children finish reading on their
own.
 Is Strega Nona a boy or a girl?
 Find a picture of Strega Nona and point to her.
 What did we learn about the meaning of Strega Nona?
 Comprehension Strategy – Character Study

4. Introductory questions to stimulate
discussion :
1. How many of you believe in magic?
2. Have you ever been to a magic show?

5.  Using appropriate Guided reading strategies,
students will be reading at their own pace and
teachers will be:
 Listening to students read
 Monitoring
 Giving feedback
 Taking anecdotal notes and running records
 Suggested Pacing: One day
 Attend to Comprehension within, beyond, &
about the text

6.  What happened at the beginning of this story?
 What happened next?
 What was the biggest problem in the story?
 How did the story end?
 How would the story have been different if Anthony had known to
blow three kisses to make the pasta stop growing?
 How would the story have been different if Anthony had followed
Strega Nona’s directions?
 What type of a character was Strega Nona? What are some other
words you could use to describe her?
 What type of character is Big Anthony? What are some words
you could use to describe him?
 Have the students fill out the Character Study chart using either
Strega Nona or Big Anthony as the character.
 Extension – Have the students write another story using their
character from the character study. They will come up with another
problem for the characters to solve.
 Attend to Comprehension within, beyond, & about the text:

7. Assessment
 Check to see if students
understand the vocabulary
words based on their
responses on their vocabulary
chart
 Listen to student responses
to see if they are appropriate
for the material and questions
 Check the students’
Character Study charts to see
if they understood the
characters behaviors and
personalities
Activities
 Character Study chart
 Have students write their own
continuing story of Strega Nona
or Big Anthony
 Do an author study of Tomie
dePaola.
 Compare this book to other
books that he has written

8. Additional Activity A: Worksheet
Name: ____________________________ Title: __________________
Setting:
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Characters:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Problem:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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10.  Applause
 Overflow
 Protect
 Troubles
 Attention
 Crime
 Steaming
 Whispers
 Pasta
 Punishment
 Warts
 Chance
 Halt
 Potions
 Compliments

11. 1. The word attention means
_____.
a. mind your own business
b. cook with a recipe
c. listen and look carefully
d. Wonder
2. The word protect means ____.
a. to begin
b. to keep from harm
c. to sell
d. to complete
3. To halt means to ___.
a. look
b. cook
c. stop
d. Leave
4. The word troubles means ___.
a. hungry
b. smart
c. Careful
d. Problems
5. The word crime means ___.
a. ordinary
b. special
c. perfect
d. wrong doing
6. The word applause means __.
a. visit
b. clap
c. magical
d. Friend
7. To overflow is to ____,
a. believe
b. listen carefully
c. flow or run over the top

12. 1. Who is Strega Nona? (Italian word for
“grandmother witch”)
2. What is special about the pasta pot?
3. What does Strega Nona tell Anthony not to
touch?
4. Why does Big Anthony want to show the
towns people the magic pasta pot ?

13. •Who is a responsible worker?
•Who is not?
•Strega Nona shows she cares for community by being responsible in
performing her job
•What are Big Anthony's responsibilities?
•What does he do that is not responsible?
•Do you think Big Anthony will make the same mistake again?
•Discuss the meaning of responsible. Relate it to the meaning of the
word responsibility. What are your responsibilities (expected
chores, behaviors) at school and at home?
•What are the benefits of being responsible?
•What are the problems with being irresponsible?

14.  What would you do if you broke promise to
someone? or if someone broke promise to
you?
 If you were Strega Nona, how would you have
punished Anthony? (Punishment fits crime)
 Why is it important to keep promises?
 If you were Strega Nona, would you trust Big
Anthony again?

15. 1. The name Strega Nona means ___.
a. Magic one
b. Grandma Witch
c. Sweet Grandma
d. Magic Witch
2. Why did Strega Nona put a sign in the town square?
a. She needed to buy pasta.
b. She needed to travel.
c. She needed someone to help.
d. She wanted to cook.
3. Strega Nona used oil, water, and a _____ to cure headaches.
a. Wart
b. Match
c. Pickle
d. Hairpin

16. 4. How did Strega Nona stop the magic pot from making pasta?
a. She poured oil in the pot b. She blew three kisses
c. She said three words d. She whispered twice
5. When Big Anthony told the magic pot to make pasta, the people in
the town ______ the pasta.
a. enjoyed b. threw away c. were sad about d. none of these
6. Big Anthony took a bow when he heard ___.
a. the crowd complain b. when he went home c. when he heard applause
d. when it overflowed
7. The word grazia in this story means __.
a. good bye b. hello c. thank you d. stop

17. 
http://video.nhptv.org/video/1689045929/

18.  Why do you think Big Anthony disobeyed
Strega Nona's directions?
 What happens when you do not pay
attention?

19.  Compare and contrast the two stories using a
Venn diagram, chart or other visual:
Strega Nona Porridge Pot
__________
__________
__________
__________
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__________
__________
__________
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__________
____
Similarities

20. Strega Nona’s Social Science Exploration
Content Standard Map Skills
Color the map using the directions below:
1. Calabria, where Strega Nona lives, is at the
“toe” of the boot. Color this area green.
Olives grow in this area, and they are green,
too!
2. The Alps are a mountain range that borders
Italy on the north. Color this area purple.
3. The Apennines is a mountain range that runs
through the peninsula (land surrounded by
water) of Italy. Color this area gray.
4. Find Sardinia and color it black.
5. Find Sicily and color it orange.
6. Color the Mediterranean Sea, as well as
smaller ocean areas, blue.