Realistic (fiction), 2,752 words, Level Z (Grade 5), Lexile 810L
A girl named Karen is assigned a research report on Christopher Columbus. She is upset at first because she is convinced that she already knows all the interesting facts about her subject. However, her research uncovers many exciting and lesser-known facts. She fills in her brother on Columbus's unknown plights and failures as she reiterates what she's learned. While writing her paper, Karen begins to understand that perhaps she has to "unlearn" some things about a national hero. Illustrations and a map support the text.
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Guided Reading Lesson
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Reading Strategy Use the reading strategy of visualizing to understand text
Comprehension Analyze characters in the text
Grammar and Mechanics Identify and use complex sentences
Word Work Recognize and use synonyms and antonyms
Think, Collaborate, Discuss Promote higher-order thinking for small groups or whole class
