A Writing Root for Rosie Revere, Engineer

This updated version of the Writing Root for Rosie Revere, Engineer was produced in November 2023.  If you have used the previous version in the past and would like a copy of the resource, please email us at info@literacytree.com.

Outcomes:

Short explanation, advertisement, letter of advice, school report card (character description), invention description 

Main Outcome:

Explanation text

Length:

15 sessions, 3 weeks

Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root for Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty. The sequence of learning begins with children enrolling in Rosie Revere’s Engineering Academy and receiving an engineering challenge to design a new bridge for their local area. Children can go on to make models of their bridge design and write a brief explanation about how it works. Children will look at the different wacky inventions in the book and write guides/instructions regarding how these could operate. Children will write a poster to advertise one of these wacky inventions. The sequence continues with children writing a school report for Rosie, describing her character and explaining why she is a great role model. The class will get another engineering challenge from Rosie which will ask children to create their own wacky inventions (they can use the Wacky Inventions cards at the back of this Writing Root to help). Children’s extended piece of writing will be on describing their own invention and explaining how it works. It would be ideal to use some non-fiction books on inventions and engineering as well as organise a trip to observe a local bridge or science/engineering/transport museum (this will link to Week 1 in the Spelling Seed). 

Synopsis of Text:

From the powerhouse author/illustrator team of Iggy Peck, Architect comes Rosie Revere, Engineer, another charming, witty picture book about pursuing your passion. Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she's a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her Great, Great Aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal - to fly - Rosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt's dream come true. Her invention complete, Rosie attempts a test flight, but after a moment, the machine crashes to the ground. Discouraged, Rosie deems the invention a failure, but Aunt Rose insists that on the contrary, it was a raging success. You can only truly fail, she explains, if you quit. Reassured, Rosie returns to her engineering and inspires her classmates to join in the fun.

Text Rationale:

This lyrical text follows Rosie who absolutely loves engineering and inventing. Children can get to know Rosie and be inspired by her vision. A vital text, not only to ignite passions about design and technology, but to learn about problem solving and perseverance. It is also a super introduction to the Questioneers, a group of children who are role models in different fields, from science to illustration to engineering. Andrea Beaty has a distinctive poetic style and is supported by David Roberts’ technical illustrations.  

Links and themes:

Engineers, women in science, feminism, local area, London, bridges, links to STEM subjects, design and technology, positive role models, problem solving, perseverance

Date written: July 2017

Updated: November 2023