Lesson Plan- Reader Response(“Ruby’s Wish” )
Date: Wednesday January 23rd, 2008
Subject: Language Arts; Reader Response
Grades: 4/5
Duration: 45 minutes (11:35-12:20)
Lesson Agenda
Material Required:
1. Introduce the new story of the week,
“Ruby’s Wish”
2. I will ask the class to raise their hands
if they have ever felt left out before or
if someone made them feel not good
enough
3. We will read the story as a class, I will
read some parts and ask for class
volunteers as well
4. I will ask questions to probe for deeper
understandings as we read
5. Discuss the meaning of the story and
give proof from the text
6. The class will fill out the reader
response worksheet and pass it in
7. Comprehension questions will be
completed to ensure understanding
Time:
Objectives:
-
“Ruby’s Wish” (19)
Comprehension Questions (19)
Reader Response (19)
*The number 19 refers to the number of copies
necessary for the class *
After reading the new short story, “Ruby’s Wish” as a class, each student will write the
meaning of the story in at least two sentences on the worksheet by referring to the text to
support their interpretation. Secondly, complete comprehension questions to ensure
understanding.
Content Knowledge:
To read and listen to literary texts, and well as use language to communicate and
learn.
Competency:
-
To represent her/his literacy in different media
Key Feature:
-
To follow a process to respond to media texts
-
To apply appropriate strategies for constructing meaning
Cross- Circular Competency:
-
Intellectual: To use information, to exercise critical judgment
Broad Area of learning:
-
Time
Personal and Career Planning
Rationale:
This story was chosen because students will have to look deeper to find a meaning in
the text. Students will have to use strong references from the text in order to find these
meanings.
Assessment:
The criteria for evaluation includes;
1. The meaning of the story will be supported by the references from the text and will be
stated in at least two sentences.
2. Comprehension questions will be completed with support from the text.
Instructional Methods
Focusing event or Hook:
I will ask my students to raise their hands if they have ever been left out by one of their
friends. I will ask these students to raise their hands and tell me how it feels when this
happens. After the short discussion, I will then ask if anyone has ever been made to feel not
good enough. We will also talk about how that makes them feel.
I will introduce the story, “Ruby’s Wish” and tell them that this is about a little girl who had
to fight to achieve her dreams.
Teaching Procedures:
1. I will introduce my new story by starting the class with the hook
2. I will pass out copies of the new story and make sure that everyone has everything off
their desks and are ready to work.
3. I will start reading and then ask for class volunteers to read the rest.
4. As we read, I will ask questions to help them probe deeper in the text and to look
beyond the words.
-
pg. 4: How many children lived in one house?
pg. 5: Why does Ruby wear red?
pg. 10: Why is Ruby special in her class?
pg. 14: What do you think will happen when Ruby sees her grandfather?
pg. 20: What does Ruby want to do?
pg. 23: What do you think will be in the envelope?
5. Once we have read the entire story, the students will put these stories into their L.A.
duotangs
6. A student will pass out copies of the reader response worksheet while I write the
name of the book and author on the board.
7. We will discuss what the meaning of the story was and how the text supports that
meaning.
8. The class will then fill out their reader responses in at least two sentences and use the
text to support the meaning
9. The students will then fill out their comprehension questions individually. I will
circulate to make sure that everyone understands and in case someone has a question.
10. We will correct the questions as a class. Students will read their answers and
classmates who did not answer all the questions will copy the answers down.
Closure:
My closure will come from the comprehension questions. We will go over the
questions as a class and discuss them in depth. Right before they put everything in their
duotangs, I will ask them what they learnt in this lesson, what the meaning of the book
was, and how they know that is the meaning. I will reinforce the idea of anyone can
accomplish anything and to dream BIG!
Notes on Motivation:
-
-
I need to remember
to gain the entire
classes attention
before I start each
task.
Have crossword
puzzles for the
students who finish
their work quickly.
Notes on Individual Students:
-
-
Work one on one with the
hearing impaired student.
Go over the work with her to
make sure she understands
everything.
Keep the “boys” on task and
make sure they don’t get too
distracted or out of control
Notes on Management:
-
-
Ask for quiet groups
and use checkmarks
to gain the classes
attention
Let them know that
lunch time is free if
they don’t get all
their work done
during the period
Critical Reflection:
I really felt that this lesson was a success, especially compared to the lesson that I had done
the previous week. I felt that my hard work and preparation had paid off and help increase my
confidence. I set a standard in the class and I am pleased to say that I have raised that bar and I have
proved to myself and the students that I know how to take charge and that I would not permit them to
walk all over me. I truly believe that my students took away everything that I wanted them to and they
really understood the lesson. I was also impressed by how well they could read since it was one of the
first times where I heard everyone in the class read.
I think my lesson was really effective because I found an interesting story that the class really
liked and enjoyed listening to. I made sure that I planned enough to last about 55 minutes in case the
students moved faster then what I expected. I wanted my students to enjoy the lesson so when I was
planning everything I thought about them instead of looking for an easy story that I knew they would
understand. I also think that my lesson was effective this week because I reflected on what didn’t work
last week and really worked hard to make necessary changes. I helped my students learn by having
them read the story to me. I think this was effective because they are really respectful to one another
when a student is reading aloud. They seem to keep quiet and listen to the story which made it easier
to get a conversation going when I asked them the comprehension questions while we read. I think this
helped a lot to help all the students learn what I wanted them to.
Overall, I was satisfied with the entire lesson. I still have to learn more classroom management
and gain the confidence to enact it as well, but I’m sure that will come with time. I was also really
impressed with the classes reading, especially Jeremy. I had never heard him read before until today,
and I definitely didn’t expect him to have the capabilities to read as he did. Everything just worked out
so well and positively compared to last week, that I can say I was satisfied with the entire lesson from
start to finish.
I chose this book because it was about a little Chinese girl who was very smart and wanted to
go to university, but was not allowed to because she was a girl. I also chose this book because the
words were not difficult so I knew everyone would be able to read it aloud and also because I wanted
them to learn the lesson to never stop chasing your dreams. I know that these students are in a lower
economic area, so many of them might not be able to continue you on to university due to costs. So I
thought this would be inspirational and show them that all they need to do is work very hard in school
and they could achieve all their dreams.
Everything that I thought about as I made this lesson was an improvement from the previous
week. I thought about all the things that I did wrong, and how I could improve those mistakes. As I
reflect on this lesson, I see that I grew as a teacher and that the effort I put in this week would have to
be multiplied if I plan on being an effective teacher once I graduate. Over the next semester, I plan on
improving everything each week and working harder to make everyone better then the last. I’m going
to take Mrs. Henderson’s advice each week and build on it until the moment comes where little tweaks
are all I need.
Ruby’s Wish
Comprehension Questions
(Write all answers in FULL SENTENCES)
Name:
Date:
1. What was Ruby’s wish?
2. Did Ruby get her wish? (How do you know)
3. Who surprised Ruby with her wish?
4. Is this a true story? Who was it about?
5. Why was the girl in the story named Ruby?
6. “Alas, bad luck to be born a girl” Is that true today?
Ruby’s Wish
By: Shirin Yim Bridges
Name:
Date:
Author’s Message
References (Proof)