Skill Building

Lesson Plans for NOISE IN THE NIGHT level L

Building Skills

Phonics
/ow/ and /oi/ Diphthongs
Write the word diphthong on the chalkboard. Explain that they are going to learn about diphthongs—what they are, what sounds they have, and how they are used in words. Point to the word diphthong on the chalkboard and say it aloud. Have children repeat the word. Explain that a diphthong is a sound that is made by pronouncing two vowels one right after the other. Have them listen carefully to the diphthong /ow/ in houses and they will hear sounds much like /o/ and /w/ that have been run together. Explain that the diphthong /ow/ has an ou spelling, like in the word houses. It sounds like /ow/ when it is pronounced but it is spelled with an ou. Explain to children that the /oi/ diphthong can be heard in the words noise and oil. Explain that diphthongs can be at the beginning of a word or in the middle of the word. Write examples of the /ow/ and /oi/ diphthongs on the chalkboard for children to review and practice. For example:

/ow/ Diphthong, ou Spelling
houses
mouth
loud
pout

/oi/ Diphthongs, oi Spelling
noise
point
coin
oily

Help children generate a list of diphthongs and write them on the chalkboard. Have them practice using diphthongs in sentences.

Word Work
Inflectional endings -ed and -ing (Verb Suffixes)
Explain to children that -ed and -ing are called verb suffixes. The -ed suffix indicates past tense, or something that has already happened—for example, the words reached, walked, cooked, asked. The -ing suffix indicates a present participle, or something you are doing at the time—for example, the words eating, singing, freezing, sleeping, snoring, laughing.

Have children work in pairs. Have them reread the story and find examples of verb suffixes and write the examples in their notebook or on a piece of paper. Next, have children write sentences using the suffix -ed and the suffix -ing. Provide examples on the chalkboard for children to see and review as they work. When they have finished the activity, tell them to share their work. To extend the work, have them find words with the -ed suffix and then change them to the -ing suffix. Make a list on the chalkboard. For example:

Present Tense
snoring
bothering
playing

Past Tense
snored
bothered
played

Grammar
Verbs
Explain to children that there are eight parts of speech. A verb is one of those parts. Write the word verb on the chalkboard and its definition: A word that shows physical or mental action, being, or state of being. Examples: whispered, shook, reached, jumped, climbed, crying. After the definition, write examples of how verbs are used in sentences—for example, sentences from the story:
All day long Manuel and Jason played in the tent.
They took their radio to the tent and listened to music.
Jason jumped up and frantically shook Manuel.
Read the sentences aloud and ask children to repeat the words. Then ask a volunteer to circle the verb—the action word or words—in each sentence. Once children display an understanding of what a verb is and how it is used, have them write two or three sentences for you to monitor and check.

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