Blog 4
October 11, 2007
connorsa351
For my literature circles, I am in the group who is reading Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Although I have yet to start reading, I chose to look up lesson plans that I could find on the internet in hopes of gaining an understanding of what students learn about when reading the story. In one lesson plan I found, I saw that students will gain reading comprehension strategies as well as practice in reading comprehension, they will learn about friendship and how to work cooperatively, they will learn several new vocabulary words and apply them, and students will build overall literacy skills. I really liked an introductory activity I found where students will create poems about their best friends. They will discuss what friendship is, specific characteristics of what makes a good friend, and what they strive to be towards their own friends. Students will be encouraged to share and compare their poems with a partner, and then create a list of similar characteristics and qualities they came up with. The class will then come together to collaborate and make a class list of what makes a good friend. This will lead to a class discussion on friendship and its importance, and the teacher can then appropriately introduce the text of Bridge to Terabithia. The teacher will explain to students that the novel will teach about friendship and growing up, and they should think back to their poems and class list on friendship previously created while reading. I liked how students “will use paired reading, individual reading, summarizing, and various comprehension strategies throughout the lessons to better comprehend the meaning of the text.”
By looking up lesson plans, I am eager to start reading the text because I love heartfelt stories for children. I hope to think of creative ideas to use if and when I teach this text to students of my own.
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1.
jennifer | October 12, 2007 at 10:42 am
This does sound like an excellent pre-reading activity. I like the fact that is one that you can reference back to and continue to think about after you’ve started reading the book.
2.
Leslie Wright | October 12, 2007 at 11:13 am
I think that it is a great idea that your furthering your knowledge about your literature circle novel by exploring lesson plans that could be used. The Bridge to Tarabithia is extremely popular, especially among children. I am sure that there are many different lesson plans to choose from. I think that if you were to ever have your own class read this novel, it would be an excellent idea to follow up with some sort of lesson plan activity. I think that when children read a novel and then are given the opportunity to participate in a follow-up activity relating to the book, this gives them a clearer understanding of what the book was about and from this, they can better connect and relate to what has been read. Too many times I think children are asked to read novels for educational purposes, but after completing the readings, there is nothing available for them to connect with. By providing pre and post activities, the children may be more apt to be interested in the topic that they are reading. Reading should not be a chore for children, but rather an enjoyable experience. This is where follow-up lesson plans can help in aiding and encouraging this interest.
Leslie Wright
3.
martink852 | October 12, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I agree that this is a great way to familarize yourself with the novel before you begin reading. Looking at lessons help you grasp a better understanding of what individuals are trying to get out of this novel. great idea!
4.
ashleylikespink | October 15, 2007 at 9:02 am
HAving students write about things they know, like best freinds, is a great idea. Students do much better i think they are writting about things that are close tot them!