Lesson Plans for CHANGES level J

Before Reading

Introducing the Book
Direct children’s attention to the cover of the book. (Do not pass out the books until you have discussed the cover and title pages.) Point to the title of the book and say the name, Changes.. Tell them that the name of the book is always on the cover. Ask the children to look at the picture on the cover and tell what they think the story is about. Have the students look at the back of the book. Ask: How do you think the girl in this story feels in the picture on the cover of the book and in the picture on the back of the book? Ask: What are changes? What changes have you had in your life?
Point to the name of the author and the name of the illustrator. Tell children why they are important to the story.

Turn to the title page. Explain to children that the title of the book and the author and illustrator names are always on this page. Ask children to look at the pictures on the title page. Ask: Are they different? How? What do you think the title page tells you about the story? Point out to children that the girl is happy in one picture and sad in the other picture.

Building Background
Ask: What kinds of changes have you had in your life? Were the events that changed your life happy or sad? Did you have something happen that you thought was sad and then it turned out to be happy later? Encourage the children to talk freely about their experiences. Discuss events that might be happy or sad, such as losing a pet, moving to a new city, or going to visit a friend.

Book Walk
As you show each page of the book, have children talk about whether they have had an experience similar to the girl in the story’s experience. On page 5, the author talks about losing her cat. Discuss with the children how that would make someone feel. On page 6, the author’s Dad says that she can have another kitty. Discuss with the children how that would feel. On page 9 the author is afraid when she starts a new school year. Ask: Did you ever feel scared to meet new people. Were you afraid that they wouldn’t like you? Have the children turn to the last page in the book. Ask: Do you think about what you might be when you grow up?

Reading Strategies
Strategies for Solving Difficult Words
Ask students what they do when they come to a difficult word. Ask: Do the pictures help you to read the words? How do you figure out the meaning of a difficult word? Ask the children to share what strategies they use and record them on chart paper or the chalkboard. Discuss and check for understanding.


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