Lesson Plans for DARBY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY level J

Expand on the Reading

Writing Connection
Have children think of a birthday party or other event that was very special to them. To help them organize their thoughts, they can write the name of the event in a circle on a piece of paper. From the circle, have them draw four or five lines. At the end of each line, have them draw a circle. In each of these circles, have children write what they did, where they were, what they ate, etc., on that special day. When they have finished writing, ask them to illustrate what they have written. When they have finished mapping their event, tell them to use their list to guide their writing. Provide an example of the map on the chalkboard or overhead.

Social Studies Connection
Have children look on page 13. Ask: What does the sign with a mark through the dog mean? Explain that this sign means no dogs allowed. Whenever they see a sign with a slash through it, it means no. For people who cannot read English, this kind of wordless image is important. It is an international sign or symbol for no. Ask children if they can think of other signs that have a slash through them. Have children go to the library and research common international signs they see in stores and on streets—for example, no smoking, no trespassing, no walking, etc. Invite a community member such as a policeman to come into the class to discuss why these signs are important.

Reading Independently
Have children read the book independently or with a partner. You can also encourage them to read other books of their choice at the appropriate level. As they read, monitor their use of reading strategies.

Home Connection
Have each child take a book home to read with a family member. Have him/her ask family members to write down information about his/her birthday (for example, what time he/she was born, where and on what day). Have children share their information with the class the next day.

Assessment
  • Monitor children’s responses in the Comprehending Text section to assess how well they understand the story.
  • Monitor reading to see if children are using the effective reading strategies.
  • Assess student knowledge of the phonics and syllables by monitoring them during activities.
  • Pay attention to children’s responses and observations during discussions to make sure they understand the ideas in the story.



Go to "Darby's Birthday Party" main page