1. L EARNING G OAL Students will be able to determine the central idea of an informational text. 4I am able to determine the central idea of “The Vietnam Wars” and can tell you how the author develops it over the course of this nonfiction piece. 3I am able to determine the central idea of “The Vietnam Wars”. 2With some help I can determine the central idea of “The Vietnam Wars.” 1I know what central idea means, but I need help identifying it in “The Vietnam Wars.” 0I am unsure what central idea means.

2. L EARNING T ARGETS I can determine the central idea of the section “Doc-Lap at Last” in the informational text “The Vietnam Wars.” I can objectively summarize informational text. I can use context clues to determine word meanings. I can participate in discussions about the text with a partner, small group, and the whole class. Objective Summary: a “just the facts” summary that focuses on the information the text provides rather than our personal reactions.

3. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” Some of our questions answered: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/weai/exeas/asian-revolutions/pdf/ho-chi- minh-timeline.pdf http://www.columbia.edu/cu/weai/exeas/asian-revolutions/pdf/ho-chi- minh-timeline.pdf Vocabulary: Alienate Dissidents Brushfire of rebellion Elusive Harboring Revelry Fruitless Casualties Demoralized

4. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” Vocabulary: Alienate Cause to feel isolated Dissidents A person who opposes official policy Brushfire of rebellion The fast spread of those rising up against Elusive Difficult to find or catch Harboring Give a home or shelter to Revelry Lively and noisy festivities Fruitless Failing to achieve the desired results Casualties Those injured or killed Demoralized Having lost confidence or hope; disheartened

5. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” “Doc-Lap at Last” Briefly re-read this section underlining key details that help you understand the central idea. Three Threes in a Row Note-Catcher Part 1 1. Your group answers just the three questions on your row. 2. Take 10 minutes as a group to read your three questions, reread the text, and jot your answers.

6. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” Three Threes in a Row Note-Catcher Part 2 1. Then you will walk around the room to talk with students from other groups. Bring your notes and text with you! 2. Ask each person to explain one and only one answer. 3. Listen to the other students’ explanations and then summarize that answer in your own box. 4. Record the name of the student who shared the information on the line in the question box. 5. Repeat, moving on to another student for an answer to another question. (ask a different person for each answer so you interact with six other students total.)

7. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” Central Idea Talk at your tables about what you think the central idea of “Doc-Lap At Last” is. Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class. Question: What are the potential implications of this information on Ha’s story? In other words, what might this mean for Ha and her family?

8. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” Central Idea of “Doc-Lap at Last” “The Vietnam Wars” Questions and Notes, Section 5: “Doc-Lap at Last” You have 10 minutes to accomplish the following: 1. Read the questions on your Questions and Notes. 2. With your partner, reread this section of text with these questions in mind. 3. Work with your partner to answer the questions, write a summary of this section, and make a connection between this section and Ha’s situation.

9. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” Central Idea of “Doc-Lap at Last” Important quote by Brother Quang” “One cannot justify war unless each side flaunts its own blind conviction.” Think-Turn-Talk After reading this informational text, what new thinking do you have about what Brother Quang meant? What evidence does the text give for both sides of the conflict? In war, each side believes it is right. For example, the text says, “But the North refused to surrender” and “…in the South…troops pursued their elusive enemy.” The news that “Saigon is gone” is news no one in Ha’s community wanted to hear. But people on each side of the conflict had different deeply held beliefs, or convictions.

10. LT: S TUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CENTRAL IDEA OF THE SECTION “D OC -L AP AT L AST ” Homework: Complete a first reading of pages 48-60, through “Wet and Crying,” and complete Quick Write 5.