Overview and Background: Unit: The Book Critic

Karen Spexarth : Cheney USD 268

Language Arts. : Language Arts. : Language Arts.

Cheney : Grades 2 - 2 : Aug. - Jun.

Title:	The Book Critic
Topics:	Reading, Guided Reading
Time Frame:
Start Date:	-
Status:	Draft
Date Revised:

Other Designers:

Summary:
Students will analyze the elements of stories to help improve their reading skills. This project was designed as a part of the 1st & 2nd Grade Guided Reading Program.

Print Materials Needed:
When Grandpa Visits by Shirleyann Costigan.
Assorted leveled guided reading books for 1st and 2nd grade.

Resources:

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1:http://www.cheney268.com/CES_SS/ReadingExpress.htm

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

State:	Local Standard
Title:	Reading
Standard(s):	Use prior knowledge and reading strategies to comprehend text.

Understandings:
user	The experiences of students will help them link up to literature and the author's purpose.

Essential Questions:
User	What ideas did the author have? How can you relate your experiences to the author's purpose through the elements of: author, illustrator, characters, setting, problem/plot, solution/conclusion, inferences, and skill building?

Knowledge and Skills:

K
How to relate to and internalize the author's purpose.

S
Emotionally and mentally connect to literature (author's purpose) through thought provoking comprehension strategies.

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Assessment Summary:
Students will assume the role of reviewers on the "Book of the Week" television show, trying to sell the book to the audience.

Other Evidence:
Pretest will be oral reading of story with oral questions and interviews using daily comprehension and retelling strategies. Teacher will record and assess student responses.

Task/Prompt: Sell That Book!

Type: Performance Task

Topics: Reading

Summary:
Students will assume the role of reviewers on the "Book of the Week" television show, trying to sell the book to the audience.

Print Materials Needed:

Resources:

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1: http://
Link 2: http://
Link 3: http://
Link 4: http://
Link 5: http://

Notes:

Student Directions:
You are a book reviewer on the "Book of the Week" television show. The Interviewer will ask you to tell about the book, including the author, illustrator, characters, setting, problem/plot, solution/conclusion and inferences. You need to be prepared to give information about each of these story elements. Be sure to speak loudly and clearly.

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Learning Activities:

W
Brainstorm for story elements that they might be aware of.

H
Read "When Grandpa Visits" and discuss home, sibling order, family members, and past school. Relate students' experiences to the book.

E
Preassess by reading a story and answering comprehension questions on tape.

Each day students will read a story on their level. They will be guided to look at these questions:
-What ideas did the author have?
-How can you relate your experiences to the author's purpose through the elements of: author, illustrator, character, setting, problem/plot, solution/conclusion, inferences and skill building?
Goal: Help the student to emotionally and mentally connect to literature through thought provoking comprehension strategies. Help the student identify and personally relate to the key components of comprehension: author, illustrator, characters, setting problem/plot, solution/conclusion, inference, and skill building.

Each day students will respond to a variety of comprehension questions/discussions. Teacher records responses on daily lesson plans. Student answers daily oral questions and discusses the story evolving to high level thinking strategies (see Reading Express Comprehension Strategies link).

Graphic organizers will be used to cement in concepts whenever possible.
QAR strategies will be used to locate and discuss story comprehension strategies.
Student will write about the comprehension related questions.
Teacher will set daily learning goals with student and discuss daily reading gain or success with student. Student sees chart of daily running records.

R
Increase understanding through question/answer and discussion of comprehension strategies. Use student self assessment to show areas to be concentrated on in upcoming lessons. Discuss a success that the student exhibited each day.

E
Students will assume the role of reviewers on the "Book of the Week" television show, trying to sell the book to the audience.

Other Evidence:
Record daily basic comprehension responses for story elements of: author, illustrator, characters, setting, problem/plot, solution/conclusion, inference, and skill building.
Post test will be compared to original pre test work with student.
Discuss differences with student input of gains made, use beginning text, levels, ending text, and difficulty of text.
Student compares ending book with beginning book and overviews the successes he has made.
Talk about future goals of reading comprehension and attachment to author's purpose.

Notes: