"A Kind of Grace" Leveled Readers

Lauren Nearhoof

“A Kind of Grace” Unit

Leveled Readers

Essential Question:

Can you demonstrate your understanding of the central ideas of a nonfiction text through summarization?

Assessment Prompts:

·         How do the stories compare and contrast?

·         Can you describe what an appropriate summary includes?

·         How do the character traits compare and contrast between the two Olympian athletes?

Standards:

R6.A.1.4.1: Identify and/or explain stated or implied main ideas and relevant supporting details from text.

R6.A.2.5.1: Summarize the major points, processes, and/or events of a nonfictional text as a whole.

Materials:

·         Prepared reading groups of 3-4 students

·         Leveled readers

o   Mia Hamm: Journey of a Soccer Champion

o   Jim Abbott: Making the Most of It

·         Venn Diagram graphic organizer on chalk board

·         Lined paper

·         Post-it notes

·         Note cards

Activating Strategy:

·         On a piece of paper, describe the components of a good summary.

·         You may write in bullet points.

·         Allow 3-4 minutes

o   Set timer

o   Remind students at each minute to remind them of the time constraints

·         Swap paper with someone around you

·         Read response, and write whether you agree or disagree.

·         Pass back to rightful owner

·         Ask students to volunteer the components of a summary

o   Assessment prompt 2

Teaching Strategy:

1.      Assign reading groups based on book selection

a.       Mia Hamm

b.      Jim Abbott

2.      Give directions about group readings

a.       All students will read an equal amount in groups

b.      Students will pay attention to content white reading

c.       Goal: to finish the reading

d.      Write down 5 facts from the story

                                                              i.      Go over fact vs. opinion with students

e.       Write down 2-3 character traits about the main character

                                                              i.      Go over character traits

3.      During group readings, I will monitor to ensure that students are staying on task

4.      As groups finish, students will create outline of main ideas from the story with supporting details

5.      Students may complete page 87 in workbook to review vocabulary if all other assignments are completed

6.      When all students finish, bring up Venn Diagram on chalk board

a.       Students who read baseball will summarize the story

b.      Students will put up facts from the story in the Venn diagram

c.       Students who read soccer will summarize the story

d.      Students will put up facts from the story in the Venn diagram

7.      According to the Venn diagram, what is similar? What can be wrote in the middle of the Venn diagram?

8.      Allow student volunteers to come up and write on chalk board

9.      Assessment prompt 1

10.  Have students come up and write the character traits from the athletes

a.       Are they similar?

b.      Why?

c.       Assessment prompt 3

d.      Facilitate discussion

Summarizing Strategy:

1.      Pass-out note card

2.      On note card write a prediction for the story “A Kind of Grace” based on the vocabulary from this unit and the similarities from the leveled readers.

3.      Ask students to keep prediction in a safe place because we will be using them after we read the story to see how close you were