1. Reading
Unit: 2 Lesson: 16
Module: A
Objectives:
Define and use close-reading vocabulary words.RL.4.4
Refer to details and examples when explaining a text. RL.4.1
Today we will be doing a
Close Reading
of pages 71 – 73.
Essential Questions:
How does a reader identify themes?
How does a writer develop and organize writing that matches purpose and
audience?
How does a writer use internal and external dialogue to develop the theme
of the story?

2. First Read Let’s explore the text!
Review the events so far in “John Henry” that led
to the point the story has reached at the top of
p. 72. Next, preview the text of the final part to
see how it is supported by a full-page illustration.

3. Independent Reading Routine
Focus: What is the “gist” of the text?
Silently read pages Focus on the main idea and how it is supported by key details.
Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are done with the reading:
• Why were people so upset that John Henry
died while trying to beat the steam drill?
• What details help you understand what type
of relationship John Henry and Lucy had?
• What questions do you have?

4. Second Read When you reread the text, focus on key details
about main characters and events.
Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are
done with the reading:
1. What clues does the illustration on p. 72 give the reader about what happens during the contest?
2. Compare John Henry’s vision of his friends’ future with what actually happens. Did his actions make a difference?

5. Focused Reading Vocabulary Routine: Text-Based Vocabulary
• flagged, p. 73
Vocabulary Routine:
1. Read the sentence containing the word.
2. Identify context clues about its meaning within the passage.
3. Look up the word in a dictionary and read the definition.
4. Use the word in other ways.
*After we review these words, write your sentences on p. 114 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal.*

6. Text-Based Conversation
Focused Reading
Text-Based Conversation
I see that the song that John Henry’s friends sing at the end quotes John Henry’s saying, “A man ain’t nothing but a man.” I remember that the rest of this quote says, “But a man’s always got to do his best.” The song talks about how John Henry said he would die with a hammer in his hand before being beaten by the steam drill. Even though he died, he did so while being the best man he could be.
Discuss how readers can begin to interpret the theme of a story by looking at the details the author includes.

7. Focused Reading Team Talk Routine
Do you agree with Lucy that John Henry was a good man? Use details from the text to support your opinion.

8. Reading Analysis Character
Authors develop characters to match the genre of the story in which the characters appear. Identify the genre of
“John Henry”. The main character in a tall tale often possesses exaggerated qualities and does impossible or exaggerated deeds that require extreme strength or cunning. The characters and their deeds are so noteworthy that other people remember and sing about them.
Complete a Web B to record information about John Henry’s physical qualities.

9. Reading Analysis Cite Text Evidence
Focus on what happens to John Henry at the top of p. 73. Then page back through the entire text and identify key details that tell about John Henry’s physical qualities.
• Describe how John Henry looked using details from the text.
• What are his physical qualities?
• What details does the author use to describe him?

10. Writing in Response to Reading
Independent Reading
Reading Analysis
Work independently to complete a second web to describe what John Henry did to make him noteworthy.
Writing in Response to Reading
How do John Henry’s physical qualities and actions make him a suitable main character for a tall tale?

11. Small Groups It’s time to get into our groups!
Please see me if you don’t know what group you belong in.

12. Writing Objectives: Narrative Writing
Provide a conclusion when writing.
Punctuate direct speech and quotations.

13. Writing Narrative Writing
Narrative writers provide conclusions to tell readers how the main characters solve or resolve the problems presented by the plot events. In legends, conclusions reinforce the cultural values of the groups of people who have told and retold the stories over generations.
How does the main problem or conflict of the story come to an end for the main character?
What lesson does the main character learn as a result of the plot events?
What values (honesty, strength, intelligence) are highlighted or celebrated by the ending?

14. Let’s look at how writers conclude narratives.
Writing
Analyze the Text
Let’s look at how writers conclude narratives.

15. Writing Quotation marks are placed around direct speech and
Conventions Focus: Punctuate direct speech and Quotations
Quotation marks are placed around direct speech and
around quotations from a text.
Commas are placed before and after the quotation marks.

16. Remember that the conclusion should show how the
Writing
Independent Writing
Craft strong conclusions to your narrative about the life of a child. Determine how you want the main problem or conflict to end. Also consider what lessons the main character learns or what values the story teaches.
Remember that the conclusion should show how the
narrative’s conflict is resolved. It should also wrap up loose ends and leave a strong impression on the reader.