Schema: neighbors, being in kindergarten
Text to self connections: learning to read
Characterization: use a graphic organizer to write all of the things we read about Mr. George Baker such as his baggy pants, his suspenders, his sweater, his Hershey’s kisses in his pocket, his lunch, his desire to learn to read, his drum playing, a hundred [...]
Schema: Marines, miracles
Author’s purpose: The author is sharing his journey with Nubs because it is a miracle that he was able to get the dog from there back to his home in San Diego.
Because Nubs did not give up on finding Major Dennis, the effect is that Major Dennis did not give up on him.
Characterization: [...]
Schema: people you know that are always helping others
Sequencing: the book goes through each season
Setting: Vermont
Characterization: Make a graphic organizer to show Darrell’s characteristics.
With Tommy he takes the time to let him play like he is driving his truck
With The Barretts he gives the firewood to them even though they can not pay him now.
He [...]
Schema: Christmas trees, theme of the White House Christmas tree
Author’s Purpose: Gloria Houston and her family grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina; the historical fiction story depicts what life was like in the early 1900’s during World War I.
Characterization: Characterize the mother in the story and use example from the text as [...]
Schema: a battle, western movies with gun fights
Text-to-Self Connections:
Compare and Contrast: Hamilton: born in the Caribbean
Burr: born in the U.S.
Both lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey, raised by people who were not their parents, active fighters in the American Revolution, served as aides to General George Washington, jealous and envious of one another, both fake friendly [...]
Schema: Frankenstein, Halloween, having a new baby in the family
Point of View: The story is told from a monster family’s point of view. From the parents’ point of view, Frankie is the scariest of all of the family.
Voice: The voice of the book is that of the monster parents until the end. Then we can [...]
Schema: handmade brooms, fall decorations, define widow
Text-to-self connections: fantasy fiction with witches
Cause and Effect: Because the witches broom lost its power suddenly, the effect is that the witch falls to the ground and is injured.
Because the widow is kind to the witch by giving her a place to heal, the effect is that she leaves [...]
Schema: farm life, rock bands
Predicting: What are the animals are getting ready for to do? Go to bed?
Inferring: What are the animals inferring when they see that the farmer’s light is on?
I am inferring the animals are sleepy at the end of the book because….
Text-to-Self Connections: waiting in line
Mental Images: Can you make a mental [...]
Schema: Do we really know all about our friends? What do you know about your friends?
Point of View: Each character describes Melvin from his own point of view.
Compare and Contrast: Dad’s words about Melvin with the pictures of Dad when he was small. How are they different?
Melvin’s traits:
Mother: the pictures agree with her words; he [...]
Schema: List everything you know about Johnny Appleseed
For younger grades read the verse and just tell the truths. For older grades, read both.
Compare and Contrast: Use graphic organizers to list what is legend and what is truth about Johnny Appleseed.
Legend: Johnny was crazy, planted from Massachusetts to California
Truths: John Chapman was born in 1774.
His father [...]
