Literacy Lesson: Brave Irene
Literacy Elements: Brave Irene
Grade Level: On-Level 3rd Grade, Struggling 4th Grade
Subject: English/Reading
Duration: Listening - 14 minutes, Assessment - 10 minutes, Activity - 10/15 minutes
DOK Level: 3
SAMR Level: Modification
Indiana Standard:
3.RV.3.1 Determine how the author uses words and phrases to provide meaning to works of literature, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language, including figurative language (e.g., similes).
4.RL.1 Read and comprehend a variety of literature within a range of complexity appropriate for grades 4-5. By the end of grade 4, students interact with texts proficiently and independently at the low end of the range and with scaffolding as needed at the high end.
4.W.3.3 Write narrative compositions in a variety of forms that – Establish an introduction, with a context to allow the reader to imagine the world of the event or experience.
Objective: Students will be able to listen to a read aloud story, accurately answer comprehension questions about the story and create a presentation using Google Slides or Paper Pencil.
Procedure: The student will access this link to view and listen to the story “Brave Irene” by William Steig: Picture Book Read Aloud.It would be helpful for the student to have his/her own copy of the book to track the words and follow along with the story. They can access this video on any device that has an internet connection. They can use the pause or rewind button to review any part of the story. Once they have completed the listening exercise, they should access the assessment (in the Assessment section) to demonstrate comprehension. If there is time after the assessment, they should complete the writing exercise.
Student directions for writing activity : This story has a well defined plot. Just like a roller coaster, there is a beginning, middle and end. Using Google Slides, create a plot roller coaster of a time in your life when you had to be courageous. Make sure you the you include an introduction, the problem and the solution. The author uses personification, a type of figurative language. “Go home!” the wind squalled. ‘Irene…..go hooooome…” Search the internet and find another example of personification. Then, create your own example of personification and make a video or audio recording of the figurative language. Include them on your last slide.
Resources: Personal Learning Device (iPad/Chromebook/Laptop) or other device to view video, GoFormative Account (It’s free!) or Scholastic Reading Counts or Accelerated Reader (for use with assessments), Paper and colored pencils or Digital program for written response, Optional: a physical copy of the picture book. Headphones, if necessary. Access to Google Slides
Product or Assessment: If your school provides the assessment systems Scholastic Reading Counts or Accelerated Reader, this book has a comprehension quiz in both systems. The Accelerated Reader quiz number is: 17512. The book level is 3.9. Scholastic Reading Counts also offers a quiz, but the number is only accessible if your school has a paid subscription. If your school does not maintain one of those systems, you can use this link to access the assessment created in the GoFormative site over the literary elements: Literary Quiz. GoFormative is a free assessment tool and anyone can register! The teacher could certainly use the AR/SRC and the Go Formative, as they cover different aspects of literacy.
Additionally, the students should create and share their plot narrative. Once the teacher has had an opportunity to view the slides, volunteers could present to the class.
Enrichment: Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators worldwide.Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners. Click here for Storyline's Additional Activities
Additional Note: Ten Reasons to Read Aloud to Children: 1. To provide enjoyment. 2. To model expressive reading. 3. To show the connections between speech and print. 4. To help children develop stronger vocabularies and more sophisticated language structures. 5. To introduce different genres and writing styles. 6. To increase attention Span. 7. To strengthen cognitive ability. 8. To enhance the affective domain. 9. To help second language learners to become familiar with the sounds and shapes of English. 10. To meet national literacy standards (Polette, 2014). Article retrieved from this Read Aloud Resource .