| As part of our Literacy program this year, I intend to use a number of rich mentor texts, primarily those recommended by the SJBWM kit from ETFO. For each book I use, I will develop one or more lesson plans, and share them on this site. Disclaimer: Since I am home schooling this year, and both my children are fluent in English, I will not be spending as much time on vocabulary as in previous years. But teachers with more English Language Learners in their classes should be aware of and build in opportunities for vocabulary study prior to or during the first read-aloud of each book. |
BEFORE
DURING
First read aloud… stop and think while reading:
AFTER
- Write the word “treasure” on the board, and ask students what words come to mind when they think of “treasure” – write these words on the board.
- Notice any emerging themes and guide students’ thinking, for example, “I notice that everything we’ve written on the board is a ‘thing’… is all treasure like that? Can you think of an example of ‘treasure’ that is not a material object?” Or, if they have included things like friends and family on the list, ask students to consider the difference between things like “friends” and “money”.
- Tell students that we are going to read a story together, about a thief who discovers a new meaning of “treasure”.
DURING
First read aloud… stop and think while reading:
- Who might the two men be, who set off with the woman? What makes you think so?
- The words “anxiously”, “urgent” and “impatience” are used often to describe Juan’s behaviour and tone of voice. Why is the thief so impatient?
- Look at the word, “amiably”... compare to the French word, “amie”.
Why are people so friendly with Juan? - What sort of communities does this story take place in? (Rural) How do you know? (Lots of harvesting… potatoes, corn, squash and beans, coffee, etc.)
- Why do you think Juan is beginning to find it difficult to say good-bye to his hosts?
What’s happening with Juan? - Why didn’t Juan say a word?
- Do you think the Old Lady, Dona Josefa, knew Juan was a theif?
(And if so, why would she give him the coin?)
AFTER
- What surprise was there about the Gold Coin at the end of the story?
- What lesson did Juan learn from the Dona Josefa?