Lesson 1 : Yo! Yes! Lesson Plan
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Grade: First and Second
Materials: paper pre-set in comic strip boxes, crayons or markers, Yo! Yes! by Chris Raschka,
and Reading Comprehension worksheets
Objectives:
· Students will demonstrate understanding of the value of visual clues in reading comprehension
by writing a story that is dependent upon pictorial representations for meaning.
· Students will accurately decipher meaning in short passages by using the picture clues provided.
· Students will be able to identify visual clues in a variety of children's literature.
Activity:
1. Read Yo! Yes! by Chris Raschka to the class. Do not allow the students to see the pictures or the
cover while you are reading the story. Use appropriate inflection while reading, but do not use
different voices for the two characters.
2. When finished, ask the students to elaborate upon what they think the story was about. Highlight
any differences in opinion amongst the students.
3. Explain that Yo! Yes! is an excellent example of a story that actually needs the pictures in order
for its readers to fully comprehend. Explain that stories like this demonstrate how effective the
use of visual clues can be in reading comprehension.
4. Re-read Yo! Yes!, showing the pictures to the students as they read.
5. When finished, ask students to elaborate upon what they think the story was about. Highlight the
similarities in opinions this time.
6. Using a new piece of comic strip paper, ask students to write a quick, six scene story that is
dependent upon both words and pictures in the formation of meaning.
7. Share several stories with the class, highlighting the importance of the illustrations in determining
meaning.
8. If there is time, ask students to share their stories with a partner.
Close:
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Ask the students to look through the classroom library for a book in which illustrations could be
used in determining meaning.
Ask several students to share the book they have chosen with the class, explaining how the
pictures might aid in comprehension. The teacher may have to model the first story.
If there is time, ask students to share their choices with a partner while explaining how the
illustration might aid in comprehension.
Assessment:
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Evaluate the students' stories by determining if the illustrations serve as effective visual clues to
the story's meaning.
Evaluate students' accuracy in completing the reading comprehension worksheets assigned as
homework.
Using anecdotal notes, evaluate students' use of visual clues while reading on a daily basis
Adapted From: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/LAComprehensionYoYes12.htm
Lesson 2: Sequence Story Quilt
Grade Level - 2nd-4th
Objective: Learners will be able to retell a story using the sequence comprehension skill.
Materials:
- 6 small squares of different colored construction paper per learner with holes punched in the middle of
each side.
- pieces of yarn or string (2 inch pieces work well)
- crayons or markers
-If You Give a Pig a Pancake
1. Before reading the story If You Give a Pig a Pancake, do a short mini-lesson about sequence or order
of events. Tell the students that while they are reading (or listening) to the story, pay very special
attention to the order that things happen in the story.
2. For younger students, it may be necessary to list the events on the board as they happen. After reading,
discuss the story. Tell the students that they will be making a quilt that illustrates the events in the story.
3. Give each student 6 paper squares and some pieces of yarn. The students should then write a sentence
with a picture on each square that tells what happened in the story.
4. The students should put the squares in order as to how the events happened in the story, and then they
can tie their quilt squares together
These make such a fun project and they look so nice.
Adapted From: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/LAArtSequenceComprehensionStoryQuilt24.htm
Lesson 3: The Snowy Day
Grade: First and Second
Materials:
-The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Objective: Students will be able to understand sequencing and comprehension of a story.
1. Present the book by simply showing the cover to the students. Based on the title of the book and
the cover illustration, ask students what they think this book might be about.
2. After the children have shared their ideas, read the first half of the book to the students (the last
sentence will be: "Then he went into his warm house.")
3. Next, tell the children to think about what could happen next and how the story could end.
4. Each of the students will need to write their own ending to the story. Allow students about fifteen
minutes to write their versions of the story. When they have finished, students will be encouraged
to share their stories with a neighbor.
5. Finally, read the rest of the story to the students. When you have finished reading, ask the
students to share how their stories are similar or different to the real story.
Adapted From: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/LATheSnowyDayComprehensionInferences12.htm