I can infer why authors write about the sun, moon, and stars using details from Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky. (RL.1.1, W.1.8, SL.1.2)
These are the CCS Standards addressed in this lesson:
- RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- SL.1.2: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
- W.1.8: With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Daily Learning Targets
Ongoing Assessment
- During Work Time B, circulate and listen as students discuss the Unit 1 guiding question. Use the Speaking and Listening Checklist to document progress toward SL.1.2.
Agenda
Agenda | Teaching Notes |
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1. Opening A. Engaging the Learner: Introducing the Sun Movement Routine (10 minutes) 2. Work Time A. Reading Aloud: Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky (20 minutes) B. Structured Discussion: Introducing the Unit 1 Guiding Question (10 minutes) C. Independent Writing: Reflecting on the Unit 1 Guiding Question (15 minutes) 3. Closing and Assessment A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes) |
Purpose of lesson and alignment to standards:
How this lesson builds on previous work:
Areas in which students may need additional support:
Down the road:
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In Advance
- Prepare:
- Sun Movement and Moon Movement charts by copying them onto chart paper (see supporting materials).
- Unit 1 Guiding Question anchor chart by writing the title, the guiding question, and the labeled table on chart paper.
- Pre-determine pairs for Work Time A.
- Pre-distribute materials for Work Time C at student workspaces to ensure a smooth transition.
- Post: Learning target, Sun Movement chart, Moon Movement chart, and applicable anchor charts (see materials list).
Tech and Multimedia
Technology and Multimedia
Consider using an interactive white board or document camera to display lesson materials.
- Opening A: "Elvin, the Boy Who Loved the Sky," Part 2 could be an email.
- Opening A: Create the Sun Movement chart and the Moon Movement chart in an online format--for example, a Google Doc--to display and for families to access at home to reinforce these movements.
- Work Time A: "Elvin, the Boy Who Loved the Sky," Part 3 could be an email.
- Work Time B: Create the Unit 1 Guiding Question anchor chart in an online format--for example, a Google Doc--to display and for families to access at home to reinforce these skills.
Supporting English Language Learners
Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards 1.I.A.1, 1.I.B.5, and 1.I.C.10
Important points in the lesson itself
- The basic design of this lesson supports ELLs with opportunities to engage with the topic through movement and to preview the key texts in the unit.
- ELLs may find it challenging to understand and answer the guiding question about authors' motivations for writing about the sun and moon, as it shifts the point of view from the characters in the story to the author. Throughout the reading, remind students that they will be thinking about the writer of the story. (Example: "I wonder why the author wrote about this.") Guide students through a Mini Language Dive to support their understanding of the guiding question. See Meeting Students' Needs column for details.
Levels of support
For lighter support:
- Before providing sentence frames or additional modeling during Work Time, observe student interaction and allow students to grapple. Provide supportive frames and demonstrations only after students have grappled with the task. Observe the areas in which they struggle in order to target appropriate support.
For heavier support:
- During the read-aloud in Work Time A, support students who need heavier support by encouraging them to act out parts of the story. Dictate lines for them to recite so that they practice using verbal language.
- During Work Time C, before inviting students to work independently, prompt the class to brainstorm a few possible responses to the guiding question using the sentence frame: "I think the author wrote about the ______ because __________." Record and display student responses. Invite students to use a class-generated response if they get stuck.
- During Work Time C, work closely with a group of students who need heavier support. Consider completing the task as a shared writing experience.
Universal Design for Learning
- Multiple Means of Representation (MMR): Throughout this lesson, embed support for unfamiliar vocabulary by providing explanation and visual examples. This helps students make connections and support comprehension.
- Multiple Means of Action & Expression (MMAE): Students have a range of fine motor abilities and writing needs. During independent writing, vary methods for fine motor responses by offering students options for drawing utensils, writing tools, and scaffolds.
- Multiple Means of Engagement (MME): In this lesson, the Sun Movement routine provides students with options for physical action. Some students may have difficulty estimating the amount of space they need in order to move their bodies safely during this routine. Consider minimizing threats and distractions by directing all students to pre-determined spots for movement.
Vocabulary
Key: Lesson-Specific Vocabulary (L); Text-Specific Vocabulary (T); Vocabulary Used in Writing (W)
New:
- explain, infer (L)
Materials
- "Elvin, the Boy Who Loved the Sky," Part 2 (one to display; for teacher read-aloud)
- Sun Movement chart (new; teacher-created; see supporting materials)
- Moon Movement chart (new; teacher-created; see supporting materials)
- "Elvin, the Boy Who Loved the Sky," Part 3 (one to display; for teacher read-aloud)
- Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky (one to display; for teacher read-aloud)
- Kitten's First Full Moon (one to display)
- Sun and Moon (one to display)
- Summer Sun Risin' (one to display)
- Noticing and Wondering anchor chart (begun in Lesson 1)
- Unit 1 Guiding Question anchor chart (new; co-created with students during Work Time C; see supporting materials)
- Think-Pair-Share anchor chart (begun in Module 1)
- Speaking and Listening Checklist (for teacher reference; see Assessment Overview and Resources)
- Unit 1 Guiding Question response sheet (one per student)
- Pencils (one per student)
- Crayons (class set; variety of colors per student)
Materials from Previous Lessons
New Materials
Assessment
Each unit in the K-2 Language Arts Curriculum has one standards-based assessment built in. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize their understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.
Opening
Opening | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Engaging the Learner: Introducing the Sun Movement Routine (10 minutes)
"What did we learn about Elvin from the story?" (He loves to look at the sky, he wonders about the sun and the moon, and he likes to lie down in the grass to look at the sky.) "What did Elvin share with us after we read his story in the last lesson?" (He shared that he saw a photographer and asked about the sun and moon, and the photographer gave him pictures. He shared those pictures with us.)
"As I read this story, I want you to think about the new notices and wonders Elvin has."
"What is Elvin wondering about now?" (He wonders if the sun and moon move. He wonders how the sun and moon move.)
"What did you notice about how my body moved while I did this routine?" (You moved in your own space. You moved safely and calmly. Your voice was off when you were moving.)
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Work Time
Work Time | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Reading Aloud: Why the Sun and The Moon Live in the Sky (20 minutes)
"What was this story mostly about?" (The sun wanted the water to visit his house. The water brought a lot of friends, and then the sun and moon got pushed out of the house and into the sky.) "How did the author include the sun and moon in this story?" (The sun and moon were characters in the story. The story is about how the sun and moon got into the sky.)
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B. Structured Discussion: Introducing the Unit 1 Guiding Question (10 minutes)
"Why do authors write about the sun, moon, and stars?"
"Who can repeat what your classmate said?" (Responses will vary.) Tell students that now they will use what they have discussed with their partner to help them independently reflect on the unit's guiding question using pictures and words. |
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C. Independent Writing: Reflecting on the Unit 1 Guiding Question (15 minutes)
"How did the author include the sun and moon in this story? Why do you think the author included the sun and moon in this way?" "What is this story mostly about? Why do you think the author chose to write this story?"
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Closing & Assessments
Closing | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
"What is something you learned or did during this lesson that helped you meet the learning target?" (Responses will vary.)
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