Build Mastery: Story Elements
From FreeReading
| Lesson Type: | Build Mastery |
| Grade: | K, 1, 2 |
| Group Size: | Individual, Pairs, Small Group |
| Length: | 15 minutes |
| Goal: | Given a book, students will focus their attention on a problem and solution in it to refine their thinking about plot. |
Materials: Fiction leveled readers, copies of the Plot = Problem and Solution graphic organizer (print here) for each student
What to Do
Prepare
Make copies of the Plot = Problem and Solution graphic organizer for each student. Create a large version of the graphic organizer on the board or chart paper.
Model/Instruct
1. Explain the lesson.
Today we will apply what we have learned about story elements. We are going to focus on the plot. You will choose a leveled reader and complete a Plot = Problem and Solution worksheet while you read.
2. Review how to complete the Plot = Problem and Solution graphic organizer.
You will read your book. Pay close attention to the plot. Who causes the problem? What is the problem? How is the problem solved? You will write down the answers to these questions on the worksheet.
Practice
3. Students read the book and complete the Plot = Problem and Solution graphic organizer.
4. Make sure that each student has chosen an appropriate leveled book and monitor their completion of the graphic organizer.
5. Discuss how using the Plot = Problem and Solution graphic organizer helps think about plot in their reading.
Ask students questions like:
Now that you have thought about the problem and the solution, what have you learned about the plot and the characters?
Was there one main problem and solution in your book?
Did the characters do something to solve the problem?
Adjust
For Advanced Students:
Ask these students to think about the connection between character and plot. Did the characters cause the problem? Did they come up with the solution? How were they affected by the problem?
For Struggling Students:
These students may need help focusing on the problem and the solution in the book. To elicit student thinking on plot, ask questions like:
What happened to the main character?
What happened first? What happened last?
Was the main character happy at the end of the book? Why?
For ELL Students:
These students may need help understanding key vocabulary from their book. Provide assistance to make sure that they understand the plot of the book.
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