(1)Fiction Lesson 8
(2) Fiction Lesson 8
Blackout by John Rocco
Blackout by John Rocco
Today we’re going to read our first realistic fiction
story: Blackout by John Rocco. While realistic fiction
tells a story from the author’s imagination using
made-up characters, the events of the story could
happen in real life. The characters are people, not
talking animals or superheroes. The setting is similar
to everyday life, with real problems and solutions.
Because realistic fiction stories have real characters
with real emotions, real settings, and real problems
with real solutions, we can use our own personal
experiences and feelings to make connections with the
story.
This book is about a blackout. Do you know what a
A blackout is when all the power in the city
blackout is?
(Display the Table of Contents and read the titles and page
numbers of the remaining stories)
(3) Fiction Lesson 8
We’re going to read “The Library” first. As we
Blackout by John Rocco (read the first two-page
read, let’s continue to think about Poppleton,
spread)
the main character. We will look at what he
says and does, as well as how he interacts with
I notice from the pictures and words that
the other characters. Let’s take a moment to
this story
place
in the
city at so
night,
recall
whattakes
we know
about
Poppleton
far.
during summer. I know from being in cities
(Allow brief student sharing to activate schema)
and hearing the noises coming from cars
and other things out the window that it is
also loud!
goes off and everyone is left in the dark.
Have you ever experienced a blackout or a
loss of power because of a storm? How
did you feel?
Allow students to share their experiences to begin
making personal connections to the text.
Let’s read the book and see how these
characters feel about being in a blackout.
(4) Fiction Lesson 8
Blackout by John Rocco (read the next spread)
It looks like this story is about a family.
Point out each family member in the illustrations.
The boy has found a game, but he needs
two players. I can see his sister doesn’t want
to play. Do you think he’ll find someone
else?
Allow students to make predictions with their
partners. Guide students to use their experiences and
textual evidence to make their predictions. Read the
next two spreads stopping after “And then…”
(5) Fiction Lesson 8
(6) Fiction Lesson 8
Blackout by John Rocco
Blackout by John Rocco
Does the boy find someone to play the
game? What does he do? How do you
think he feels? What details in the pictures
help you know? Turn and talk to your
partners about what you think and notice. Is
the problem the boy wants to play with
others but no one is available, or is the
author building up to a different problem
when he writes “And then….”?
( Continue reading, stopping after “and still”)
Now not only is the boy lonely, but there is a
blackout!
(Continue reading the next two spreads)
Everything has gone dark, and the whole family
is together. I also notice here that one of the
characters is speaking. The narrator says, “We
huddled around flashlights and candles…” I think
(Allow partners to talk, then share responses)
the boy is telling the story. He is the “I” in “we”.