Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root using Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold. Children will explore the theme of ‘freedom’ and do so by creating their own poems. This will lead to a class performance with a particular focus on using repetition and rhythm. Once they have finished the story, children will receive a letter from the BBC asking them to write a script for the (hypothetical) upcoming movie version. Children will learn the various skills associated with script writing, writing dialogue and stage directions, including writing in present tense, using brackets, contractions and noun phrases. Children will finally publish an act from their script on BBC-headed paper and, in a small group, preform their scripts in front of an audience. 

Synopsis of Text:

Cassie Louise Lightfoot has a dream: to be free to go wherever she wants for the rest of her life. One night, up on "tar beach," the rooftop of her family's 1939 Harlem apartment building, her dreams come true. The stars lift her up, and she flies over the city, claiming the buildings and the city as her own. 

As Cassie learns, anyone can fly. "All you need is somewhere to go you can't get to any other way. The next thing you know, you're flying among the stars."

Children will delight in the universal dream of mastering one's world by flying over it. A practical and stunningly beautiful book.

Text Rationale:

Tar Beach is an important book in the world of children’s literature having won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration and named a Caldecott Honor Book upon its release in 1996.  Primarily known as an artist, Faith Ringgold is an important voice in documenting African American history.  This book weaves together fiction, autobiography and allegory to create a thought-provoking tale following themes of freedom, equality and following your dreams.  Spectacular artwork brings the story to life and will provide vital talking points as well as inspiration for children’s own artwork.

Links and themes:

Dreams, New York, America, African-American, bridges, flight, quilts, storytelling, history, freedom, equality, dreams

Date written: August 2017         Updated: November 2022