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Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott
Last updated Monday, September 8, 2025
Author: Joyce Scott and Brie Spangler
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Date of Publication: 2021
ISBN: 0525648119
Grade Level: 3rd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2025
Synopsis:
Judith Scott was born with Down syndrome. She was deaf, and never learned to speak. She was also a talented artist. Judith was institutionalized until her sister Joyce reunited with her and enrolled her in an art class. Judith went on to become an artist of renown with her work displayed in museums and galleries around the world.
Told by Joyce Scott in collaboration with Brie Spangler and Melissa Sweet, Unbound shows us that we can soar beyond our perceived limitations and accomplish something extraordinary.
| Note to readers: |
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Judith Scott was an accomplished artist who was born with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome. Down Syndrome can delay people's ability to speak, grow, or understand interpersonal communication. Judith Scott's art is found in many well-known museums. Her art proves a warm and cultivating environment encourages growth and allows us to achieve milestones we never thought about.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Do you have a brother or sister that you play games with? What games do you play?
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What art project would you want to do with your brother or sister? (or cousin or best friend?)
Vocabulary
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Deaf - The physical inability to hear sounds
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Creativity - The use of imagination or ideas to create artistic work
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Delicate - gentle, easy to break
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Weave - to take different types of fabric and tie them together with other types of fabric
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Forage - to search for something
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Do you think it was hard for Judith to be away from her sister?
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Do you know somebody like Judith? How would you treat Judith if she were your sister?
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What did you think of the shopping cart that Judith made?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Take several pieces of colored yarn and tie them together to make a bracelet.
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Take objects from the craft bin such as craft (popsicle) sticks, buttons, yarn and any scraps of decorative paper or cloth. Have the kids wrap the objects in the yarn, string, and bits of decorative paper or cloth. Use glue sticks or glue to hold the objects and wrapping together. Talk about making the colors and shapes harmonious! Have fun!
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| Special activities: |
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VERY GENTLY AND LOOSELY wrap up one of the classmates or volunteers in a ball of yarn. Explain how they now look like art.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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