Maria's Thanksgiving

Book Summary
If you’ve ever looked forward to a big holiday event and had it canceled due to weather, you’ll relate to this realistic fiction book. At the start of the story, Maria reminisces about past Thanksgivings. She remembers relatives gathering at her home, the foods family members brought, and the activities that everyone shared. Then a big snowstorm prevents the traditional family gathering. At first Maria and her neighbors fear that Thanksgiving is ruined. Then Maria comes up with a plan that honors the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

About the Lesson

Targeted Reading Strategy

Connect to prior knowledge

Objectives

Use the reading strategy of connecting life experiences and using prior knowledge to understand realistic fiction
Sequence story events by using the words first, second, next, and last
Blend segmented sounds into words
Identify and read words that contain the long /e/ vowel digraph
Understand and read the possessive form of words
Locate and read compound words

Materials

Book -- Maria’s Thanksgiving (copy for each student)
Chalkboard or dry erase board
Sequencing, compound words worksheets

Indicates an opportunity for student to mark in the book. (All activities may be completed with paper and pencil if you choose not to have students consume the books.)

Vocabulary

High-frequency words: was, her, have, brought, made, have, come
Content words: thankful, Thanksgiving, holiday, dinner, turkey, tamales, stuffing, beans, rice, pasta, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, pie, family, neighbors