By Donna Shaler based on Notice and Note 1

What is an ‘Aha’ Moment? When we realize something, and that realization changes our actions. 2

What clues tell us a character is having an ‘Aha’ Moment? “Suddenly I realized…” “In an instant I saw…” “It came to me in a flash…” “I now knew…” “I finally understood that…” 3

An important moment Those clues tell you this moment is important! Stop. Give it some thought. Answer the anchor question: How might this change things? 4

As you answer that question it will help you see: …why the Aha Moment is important …how it affects the story. 5

Crash by Jerry Spinelli 6

Background First scene is from the beginning of the book, pg 2, when Crash is outside and sees Penn walking down the sidewalk. Middle-school kid nicknamed Crash, who bullies another kid. The kid he bullies is Penn Webb (Crash calls him Webb) 7

How might this change things? Turn and talk to answer that question. 8

Scene Two Crash and Penn are about to compete in a race. Webb’s parents and great-grandfather, Henry Wilhide Webb III, have come to watch Crash is looking at them, thinking of his own grandfather, Scooter. Until now, Crash has continued to bully Penn. As I read, see if you notice the Aha that Crash has. 9

Show us insight Show us something the character now understands. Authors use Aha Moments to: 10

On the half sheet on your desk - Think about Crash and this Aha Moment Answer the question: How might this change things? How might Crash’s realization that the two grandfathers might have liked one another change things? 11

Now turn and talk, sharing your thinking. 12

This time when you notice something that looks like an ‘Aha’ Moment… With your pencil, mark the place where you spot another text clue that might let us know the character is having an Aha Moment. It’s still before the race, and Crash is thinking about Penn’s great-grandfather. 13

Did you spot it? “Suddenly I saw something…” Think and then jot down your answer to the question: How might this change things? Then turn and talk with a neighbor about your thoughts. 14

As I read the last part… Mark any passages that show you an Aha Moment With a check mark Or by underlining them 15

Did you spot it? “…it occurred to me that…” …for the first time in my life, I didn’t know if I wanted to win.” “…a half breath from the white string, I knew.” 16

Spotting Aha Moments Turn to your partner one last time and: Tell each other what you learned about Aha Moments in this lesson What clues to look for in the text What the anchor question is What it means So today and every day, as you read your own novels, watch for Aha Moments. Make a note about them and think about how they might change things. 17