1. 1 st Grade Mitchell

2. Learning Objective:  The goal of this exemplar reading activity is to teach young students to read closely and critically in order to comprehend complex literary Text.  The teacher leads students through the process of asking questions, making and testing inferences, and taking three- Dimensional notes to make this type of reading accessible to children.

3.  Copy poem onto chart paper  Gather pictures & Realia  Multi-Colored Paper & pencils

4.  Day #1  Read an exemplar poem as a riddle omitting the title.  Students will make predictions about the subject of the poem which need to be posted on a separate paper.  Guide students through a second “Slow Read” by stopping at each line to discuss & evaluate student inferences.  Erase inferences as they are eliminated.  Uncover the title and have a further discussion.

5.  Day #2  Teacher brings in objects or pictures that are in the poem; one per child or small groups.  Teacher rereads the poem 7 students hold up the objects as they are presented in the poem.  3 Dimensional Notes Technique: Teacher presents sorting mats (colored paper), & students sort their objects based on categories. Save this for Day #3.

6.  Day#3  Recite poem together.  Students refer back to the 3D notes to assist them complete a writing/brainstorming activity. (i.eg. Sentence frame or thinking map, Gate map)

7.  Other Ideas for feedback/assessment:  Tableau  Art projects/Visual Art  Interpretive dance  Poetry connections to Science  Technology connection: utilize an Ipad app to recite & or illustrate poem