Charlene's Sea of Cortez Journal
Realistic (fiction), 1,500 words, Level R (Grade 3)

Lesson Objectives

Reading Strategy	Visualize
Comprehension	Summarize
Grammar and Mechanics	Verb Tense
Word Work	Homophones

Book Summary

Charlene's Sea of Cortez Journal is written from the point of view of a young girl making journal entries each day while she is on a cruise in Mexico's Sea of Cortez. She describes the events of her trip, such as snorkeling and swimming with sea lions, kayaking to a beach and building sand castles, and playing with the friends she makes. She also shares stories of watching dolphins and whales swimming near the ship. Photographs support the text.

About the Lesson

Targeted Reading Strategy

• Visualize

Objectives

• Use the reading strategy of visualizing to understand text
• Summarize main events of a story
• Recognize past-tense irregular verbs in the text
• Identify homophones used in the text

Vocabulary

• Content words: ashore, binoculars, boojum, bridge, fossils, harbor, isla, journal, kayaks, mammal, terns

Book Resources

Formats Single-Sided Book Single-Sided Color Cover Double-Sided Book Double-Sided Color Cover Lesson Resources Lesson Plan Worksheets Discussion Cards Comprehension Quiz Level R Answer Sheet