Procedures:

Focus: Message or Theme

Day 9: Thursday, April 15, 201X

6) Attention-Getter: (5 min)

  • The teacher will read the picture book The Four Wishes written by Joseph Bruchac.
  • The students will collaborate with the teacher to make a chart about the message or theme of the story.
  • The story is about four men who go in search of wishes.  The man who is selfless gets his wish.
  • The students will share the message of the story, the supporting details that told them, and how it helps them understand the story better.

7) Activities; model → guided practice → independent practice:

A. Model (15 min)

  • The teacher will read the story and create a chart to model how the supporting details in the story tell the moral.
  • The teacher will ask questions such as: Why do stories include a message?  What kind of stories have a message?  If you were an author what kind of message would you include?  How do messages in our stories affect our world?
  • The students will then mingle with others in the classroom to discuss the messages found in their novels.
  • Five students will participate in the video "Book Talks" to share about the messages in the novels.

B. Guided Practice (35min)

  • Students will bring post-its with them.
  • Students will move throughout stations.
  • Some students will meet with the teacher to discuss "My questions", "Problem Path", or "What's the message?" strategies.
  • Some students will work with a partner on "Context Clues"
  • Some students will read quietly with their group.

C. Individual (30 min)

  • Some students will read independently, or work on skills such as "Writing Prompt: Personal Connection or Book Review", Spelling activities, "Self Talk" and "Character Changes".