** I chose these books because they are at late 2nd grade reading level and my kids love them! The topics are pertinent for them (new baby, making a mess, etc.) and the story elements are very clear. They will be easy to summarize.
I did a follow up to this lesson, Let's Summarize Literature and Make A Scene, as a cornerstone lesson, if you want to check that out.
Underlined words below are lesson vocabulary words that are emphasized and written on sentence strips for my Reading & Writing word wall. I pull off the words off the wall for each lesson, helping students understand this key 'reading and writing' vocabulary can be generalized across texts and topics. The focus on acquiring and using these words is part of a shift in the Common Core Standards towards building students’ academic vocabulary. My words are color coded ‘pink’ for literature/’blue’ for reading strategies/’orange’ for informational text/'yellow' for writing/’green’ for all other words)
Come to a common starting point and gather interest
Explain the task
Model the skill
Students need to become actively involved in their reading. Close reading is a new shift in the Common Core Standards and encourages students to use questioning (RL.2.1), as well as other reading strategies to evaluate text as they read and when they are done. Students who ask questions about story elements (characters, setting, problem and solution) (RL.2.5) ultimately find key information to create a good summary about the key points of the text. (RL.2.2)
Explain the task
I wait to pass out the worksheets until I’m sure the group has read the book. The goal of these lessons is reading instruction and I want to ensure they’re not moving directly to the worksheet.
Give students time to work
If you have rules for iPad use, now would be a good time to review those. My students are very familiar with the class rules (iPads flat on the desk, use 2 hands to carry them, no fighting over iPads, etc.), so I don’t review them every time anymore.
Groups share
This year I am thinking about the progression of the Reading Literature 2.2 strand and realize this will take time in the transition years. To stay true to the 2nd grade standards, I try to help students analyze the development of the themes of a story by recounting the events and summarizing the supporting details.
Scaffolding and Special Education: This lesson could be scaffolded up or down, depending on student ability.
You should create groups of mixed ability. The students with academic challenges will benefit from listening to others read and can give verbal ideas without the burden of spelling and writing. The students who have more academic ability can do more of the reading and writing, but will benefit from the creativity and movie making skills that other students might have.