Lesson Plans for FISHING IN SIMPLICITY level R

Text Type:
Fiction / Recount

Reading Level
R

Word Count:
1,585

Pages:
24

Text Summary
A young boy tells the story of a catfish contest he entered. He is determined to win the prize of a fishing pole and reel. The strongest competition comes from his granddaddy, but the boy has chosen his special fishing spot well and has a secret plan, too. This book gives children the opportunity to read text written in a regional dialect.

Lesson Objectives
Reading Strategies
Children should use a variety of strategies to determine word meaning and comprehend text. The targeted strategy for this lesson is: Segmenting the sounds in a word and sounding them out.

Word and Print Skills
Phonics
Syllabication
Identify syllables in words and use this to help read the words.

Word Work
Figurative language
Identify figurative language and restate in own words.

Comprehension
You will likely address a number of comprehension skills as children work to understand the text. The targeted comprehension strategy for this lesson is: Problem/solution.

Visual Learning
Children will note details in the illustrations that will help them understand the text.

Targeted Vocabulary Words
Content Words
fishing, Louisiana, Simplicity, catfish contest

Before Reading

Introducing the Book
Before handing out the book, introduce it by showing the front cover.
Ask: What do you see on the cover? What do you think the book will be about? Who might be catching the fish? Why?
Turn the book to the back cover
Ask: What other information does this give us about the contents of the book? What is the boy doing? Why might he be doing it?

Building Background
Make a mind map with children with the word fishing in the middle. A mind map is a way to organize a group of ideas around a single main topic. In the center of a mind map should be the main topic. Lines can be drawn from the center to add details and information that relate to the main topic. Have them suggest what they already know about fishing. Write these suggestions around the title.

Book Walk
Without reading the text, turn to the first page and ask children what the pictures tell them about the story.
Ask: What do these pictures tell you about the story?
What information could we add to our mind map about fishing?
As you flick through the pictures in the book ask children to add to their answers to the above questions and to the mind map made in building background.
Ask: As you look at these pictures what new information do they give you?
Do you see any new information to add to the mind map?

Reading Strategies
Ask:
What can you do when you come to a word you do not know?
Suggest:
Have children break the words into syllables.
Have children look for something within the word that they know.
Have children reread the sentence.

During Reading

Student Reading
Hand out the books and have children read quietly at their own pace.
Encourage children to think about the problems and solutions in the story.

Using the Worksheets
Explain to children that after reading they will need to fill out the worksheet relating to the problems and solutions in the story. If children begin working on them after they have finished reading, it will give you time to assist individuals.

After Reading

Comprehending the Text
Ask questions that focus on the problems and solutions in the story.
Ask: What problems did the child encounter in the story?
How did he solve them?

Visual Learning
Because this book mostly contains animals that children most likely never heard of, the visual experience will be an important part of their learning. The pictures are of prime importance in helping children to imagine what is going on it the story. You can ask children the following questions to see the level of their visual learning.
Ask: Would this book have been interesting without the pictures? Why do you think the artist chose to draw what she did to illustrate the story?
Have a discussion about the way illustrations can tell a story. If possible, bring in a book that has no words and tells a story using only images.

Building Skills

Phonics
Syllabication
Explain to children that words can be broken into smaller parts called syllables.
Use the following example from the story: Louisiana
Write the word on the board.
Say the word slowly, clapping each syllable as you go.
Make strokes in the word to show the syllables.
For example: Lou/is/i/an/a
Ask: Say this word with me slowly clapping as we go.
Try some other examples –
Sim/plic/i/ty
Fish/ing
Ask children to find another word and try it for themselves.

Word Work
Figurative language
Have children reread page 3 of the story. Discuss the language used.
Ask: Why do you think the author used that language to describe the area? What other words could be used to describe the area? Can you find some other figurative language in the story? Can you describe it in your own words?

Expand the Reading

Writing Connection
Have children write a figurative piece to describe where they live.
Ask: What figurative language could you use to describe where you live?

Social Studies Connection
Have children think about the area that they child lived in. Research the area and make a comparison / differences chart with the area they live in.

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.

Home Connection
  • Have children take the book home to read with family members.
  • Have children write about their favorite part of the story and illustrate it.

Assessment
  • Monitor children’s responses in the Comprehending the Text section to assess how well they understand the text or story.
  • Monitor reading to see if children are using the effective reading strategies.
  • Assess children’s knowledge of figurative language and syllabification.


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