Listening and Speaking- Meeting Challenges

At the completion of this unit, the students will be able to:

Frindle
Listen for details about character and plot.

Thunder Rose
Listen for causes and effects.

Island of the Blue Dolphins
Listen for clues about setting and theme.

Satchel Paige
Listen to draw conclusions about a character or an event.

Shutting Out the Sky
Listen for causes and effects.

Yes

The teacher will assess the students:

Story Frindle
1. Using observation.
2. Using comprehension questions.
3. Using a grading rubric for the dramatization.

Story: Thunder Rose
1. Using observation.
2. Using comprehension questions.
3. Using questions about the illustrations.

Story:  Island of the Blue Dolphins
1. Using observation.
2. Using comprehension questions.
3. Using a listening rubric.
4. Using analysis questions.

Story:  Satchel Paige
1. Using observation.
2. Using comprehension questions.
3. Having students to answer questions, in writing, after listening to Audio CD.

Story:  Shutting Out the Sky
1. Using observation.
2. Using comprehension questions.
3. Using a rubric to evaluate the interview.

90%

Story:  Frindle

The students will activate prior knowledge by discussing the title "Understood Betsy", and sharing what they know about taking tests.  Using this information, they will predict what they think the story will be about.  As the teacher reads the introduction, the students will listen for details about Betsy and events related to the plot of the story, for example, the problem, rising actions, climax, and resolution. 
Next, after listening to the reading of the story, the students will answer the following questions:
1. How would you describe Betsy?
2. What is the problem in this story?

The students will work in groups to plan, write, rehearse, and perform a dramatization.  They will choose a scene from Frindle to Dramatize for the class.  Then, they will create a script based on the dialogue and descriptions in the scene they choose.  They will assign each member of the group a role to play, including a narrator.  Next, the will write the final copy of the dramatization; then rehearse and perform it for the class.
While one group in performing, the others will be listening, evaluating and answering the following questions:
1. Describe how your classmates depicted characters in their scenes.
2. How were your classmates' portrayals of Nick and Mrs. Granger different from what you expected?  How were the similar?
3. Did hearing dramatizations enhance our enjoyment of the story?
When all dramatizations have been completed, the students will discuss questions, evaluations and ideas as a whole group.

Story:  Thunder Rose

The students will activate prior knowledge by discussing the title "Night of the Twisters", and sharing what they know about the challenges of test taking.  Using this information, they will predict what they think the story will be about.  As the teacher reads the introduction, the students will listen to and discuss how the threat of a dangerous storm causes two friends to fear for their lives. 
Next, after listening to the reading of the story, the students will answer the following questions:
1. What caused the boys to seek shelter in the basement?
2. Describe the damage caused by the tornado?

Using tall tales that they have written, the students will retell the tall tale to their classmates.  They are not to read it, they are to tell it.  They will use a checklist of components to aide them in their retelling of the tale.

Next, the students will study the illustration on page 60.  Analyzing the illustration, they will answer the following questions:

1. What is happening in this illustration?
2. What words would you use to describe the tornado?  What details in the illustration support your description?
3. What kind of movement does the picture suggest?
When all students have finished answering the questions, the class will discuss the answers, analogies, and ideas as a whole group.


Story:  Island of the Blue Dolphins

The students will activate prior knowledge by discussing the title "The Sign of the Beaver", and sharing what they know about surviving in the wild.  Using this information, they will predict what they think the story will be about.  As the teacher reads the introduction, the students will listen for clues about the setting. 
Next, after listening to the reading of the story, the students will answer the following questions:
1. Describe the time and place for this story.
2. What lessons does Attean teach Matt?

Next, the students will discuss television shows, movies, or radio interviews that focus on surviving in the out-of-doors, on land or water.    In groups, the students will answer the following questions:

1. What is the mood of the program or film, and how is the mood conveyed?
2. What is the greatest challenge faced by the main character?
3. How does the main character(s) deal with his or her situation?
4. What is the main purpose of the program?

When all students have finished answering the questions, the class will discuss the answers, analogies, and ideas as a whole group.

Story:  Satchel Paige

The students will activate prior knowledge by discussing the title "Teammates", and sharing what they know about racial segregation.  Using this information, they will predict what they think the story will be about.  As the teacher reads the introduction, the students will listen for facts and details to decide what kind of person Pee Wee Reese was. 
Next, after listening to the reading of the story, the students will answer the following questions:
1. Draw conclusions about the kind of person Pee Wee Reese was.
2. What was the effect of Pee Wee's standing beside Jackie in the crowd?

The students will listen to the AudioText of Satchel Paige.  They will answer, then discuss these questions:
1. Describe the tone used by the speaker.  What mood does the speaker create?
2. Does the reader's delivery help you better understand the information?  If so, how?
3. What is one advantage of hearing an informative text like this one read aloud?

Story:  Shutting Out the Sky

The students will activate prior knowledge by discussing the title "Journey to Ellis Island", and sharing what they know about immigration.  Using this information, they will predict what they think the story will be about.  As the teacher reads the introduction, the students will listen for the cause of the banana man's anger at Yehuda. 
Next, after listening to the reading of the story, the students will answer the following questions:
1. What causes the man with the bucket of milk to get angry at Yehuda?
2. How does the Weinstein family feel on this day?

The students will use information from the selection to to perform a mock interview with Marcus.  They will work together in pairs, one acting as the interviewer and one as Marcus.  They will review the selection to gather information and ideas.  Students will come up with at least 10 questions that they would like to ask Marcus about his experiences as a newcomer in America.  The student playing Marcus will think about how to answer questions based on information from the selection. 
Next the students will present.  Student pairs will begin by briefly introducing Marcus to the audience with general background information.  Then they will conduct the interview with questions and answers.  They will conclude by wrapping up the most important points of the interview.

The teacher will use prepared materials to teach and model listening, speaking, and viewing skills.

Story:  Frindle

Begin a discussion about the challenges of test taking.  She will guide the students as the share perspectives and information.  Next, she will read aloud the introduction to "Understood Betsy".  He/she will encourage the students to listen for details about Betsy and events related to the plot of the story, for example, the problem, rising actions, climax, and resolution.  After reading the story, using tone of voice, the teacher will ask questions to assess the students' listening comprehension.  If the students have trouble answering the questions, the teacher will review parts of the selection, pointing out details that were to be listened for.

Give directions and discuss the dramatization assignment.  The teacher will read aloud the questions that will be asked later, the students will need to keep them in mind when watching/listening to the dramatizations.  He/she will also guide the students as they plan, write, rehearse, and perform the dramatizations.  When finished, the teacher will guide the discussions about the dramatizations.

Story:  Thunder Rose
Begin a discussion about the challenges of test taking.  She will guide the students as the share perspectives and information.  Next, she will read aloud the introduction to "Night of the Twisters".  He/she will encourage the students to listen to how the threat of a dangerous storm causes two friends to fear for their lives.  After reading the story, using tone of voice, the teacher will ask questions to assess the students' listening comprehension.  If the students have trouble answering the questions, the teacher will review parts of the selection, pointing out details that were to be listened for.

Give directions and discuss the storytelling assignment.  Explain that storytelling is how many traditional stories, such as tall tales, fables, and fairy tales, have been passed down for many years.  The teacher will explain to the students that they will be telling, not reading the tall tales.

Using an illustration from the selection, the teacher will model making analogies, inviting the students to give their opinions.  As he/she instructs the students to use the illustration on p. 60, he/she will guide the students with some prompting questions before asking them a set of assessing questions.  Then the teacher will guide a whole group discussion.


Story:  Island of the Blue Dolphins

Begin a discussion about surviving in the wild.  She will guide the students as the share perspectives and information.  Next, she will read aloud the introduction to "The Sign of the Beaver".  He/she will encourage the students to listen for clues to the setting.  After reading the story, using pitch, the teacher will ask questions to assess the students' listening comprehension.  If the students have trouble answering the questions, the teacher will review parts of the selection, pointing out details that were to be listened for.

The teacher will lead a discussion about media that focuses on surviving out-of-doors, on land or water.  After listening and observing the students as they share perspectives, information, and ideas, the teacher will present the students with some assessing questions.  After the students have finished answering the questions, they will be discussed amongst the whole group.

Story:  Satchel Paige

Begin a discussion about racial segregation.  She will guide the students as the share perspectives and information.  Next, she will read aloud the introduction to "Teammates".  He/she will encourage the students to listen for details to decide what kind of person Pee Wee Reese was.  After reading the story, using phrasing, the teacher will ask questions to assess the students' listening comprehension.  If the students have trouble answering the questions, the teacher will review parts of the selection, pointing out details that were to be listened for.

The teacher will have the students listen to the AudioText of Satchel Paige.  Then he/she will present the students with a list of questions.  After the students have answered the questions, the teacher will guide as the students share answers.  If the students have trouble with the questions, the teacher will points out key points/things to listen for.  Then have the students to repeat the exercise.

Story:  Shutting Out the Sky

Begin a discussion about the immigration.  She will guide the students as the share perspectives and information.  Next, she will read aloud the introduction to "Journey to Ellis Island".  He/she will encourage the students to listen for the cause of the banana man's anger at Yehuda .  After reading the story, using tone of voice, the teacher will ask questions to assess the students' listening comprehension.  If the students have trouble answering the questions, the teacher will review parts of the selection, pointing out details that were to be listened for.

Model an example interview.  Give directions and discuss the interview assignment.  Assist the students as they plan, find information, and prepare their presentation.  Assess and observe the students as they present, giving immediate feedback.  After all students have presented, answer any questions pertaining to interviews/presentations.

Scott Foresman Reading Street Series
Student Computers

Students with special needs will be paired with buddy partners and will have modifications as needed.