Close Read: A Day's Work - Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Objective
Big Idea
Narrative
The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot
This is the third read in a close read on "A Day's Work" by Eve Bunting. The third read is where we focus on the integration of knowlegde and ideas. In this lesson we will specifically be targeting the standard of Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics in stories.
To start our lesson off, We will read and discuss the book "The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot" by Scott Magoon. We will be using this story to compare and contrast with "A Day's Work" by Eve Bunting. I will remind the students of our essential question for the week:
What can I learn from the text about the importance of honesty?
After reading, we will discuss the following questions:
What are the similar or different themes of the two books?
What was taught about the importance of honesty in each book?
Bunting, E. (1994). A Day's Work. New York, NY : Clarion Books
Magoon, S. (2013). The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot. New York, NY : Simon and Schuster Books forYoung Readers.
Which One?
In small groups of 2 or 3 I will have the students work to decide which book would be more effective in teaching younger students (Kindergarten or first grade aged students) about honesty.
I will instruct the students to make two t-charts in their small groups labeling one as "A Day's Work" and the other as "The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot." One on side of the chart students should list pros about using the book to teach younger students and the other side should be cons. Once the t-charts are complete, students should anaylze the two charts and decide as a small group which book would be better for teaching small children about honesty. These decisions will need to be backed up with evidence from the text to support their decisions. I will then have the groups will then share ideas from their small group discussions with the rest of the class.
Extension Activity: If time permits, you could have the students practice reading the book with expression and have them read it to a younger grade student.
Group Activity: T-Charts
For the group activity, I will have the students write about the differences and similarities they found between "The Boy who Cried Bigfoot" and "A Day's Work." For this activity, I will hang large Post-it posters (Love these by the way! They are a huge time saver and I use them ALL THE TIME!) around the room. On each poster I will write a different title. (Characters, setting, plot, and theme) Then I will create a t chart where the students can write about the similarities and differences between each story.
