Interactive Read Aloud Plan
Title: I Am a Leaf
Author: Jean Marzollo
CONNECTING ACTIVITY (Question, conversation, brainstorming, quick write):
Think about the things you need in order for you to live. What are things that
make you grow? Think about a time when you did or ate something that
helped you to be healthy and grow.
BRIDGING CONVERSATION:
Just like people, leaves are alive and they need special things to help them
grow. Today we are going to read and learn about what leaves need to keep
them alive.
GENRE SET-UP:
Informational Text
This book is a piece of informational text. As good readers, we know that when we
read informational text or non-fiction, we need to be on the lookout for facts,
information, things that are true and real. The information might be something we
already know, or it might be information that broadens or extends what we already
know, or it might be new information.
STRATEGY FOCUS:
Making Connections:
As good readers, we think about how we can connect to what we are reading.
Sometimes we can think of a time that we have done something a character does, or
maybe the book we are reading reminds us of another book we have read or
something we have seen in the world.
VOCABULARY SET-UP:
Veins – little pipes that water flows through in plants and blood flows through
in people
Soil – dirt that plant seeds can be planted in
ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TITLE AND COVER ILLUSTRATIONS:
On the cover I see a person and a leaf. I wonder how they are the same. I also
Interactive Read Aloud Plan
wonder how the leaves turned colors. What do you wonder when you look at the
cover?
Opportunities to Model Strategies
p. 3 – text to self connection – The text tells me that
the leaves need water. I can make a connection to
this text text because just like the leaves, I need
water to live. The book reminds me about my own
life so I am making a text-to-text connection.
p. 3 – There is the word soil. The soil is the dirt on
the ground. Pretend you are digging in the soil.
p. 3 – We just read the word veins. Veins are like
little pipes that water or blood goes through.
Purpose
Model (I Do)
p. 7 – text-to-self connection – Lots of animals are
coming around and bothering the leaves while it is
trying to do it’s job, but it keeps doing it’s work. Can
you make a text-to-self connection to a time when
someone bothered you while you were working but
you kept doing your job? Turn and talk to your
partner about your text-to-self connection.
p. 9 – There is the word soil again. Pretend you are
digging in the soil.
Guide (We Do)
p. 11 – Text-to-self connection – Read “The leaf is
growing fast. Soon I will get a job.” Do not prompt
students…ask them to make a text to self-connection
after they hear the page.
Independent practice
(You Do)
Interactive Read Aloud Plan
soil
veins
Interactive Read Aloud Plan