August 2004     Vol.5 Issue 8

All Lesson Plans

Careers

Suggested lesson plan for "A summer
camp to help pick a career"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Brandon Karpel, Nina Magers, Ryan Faulkner, Courtney Williams
Other words: alternative, helicopter, respirator, cardiologist

BEFORE READING: To acquaint the young reader with the article before reading it, have him or her read the list of possible hard words. Provide any help needed. Then ask the child to read the article aloud to you and be ready to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: If any terms seem to be impairing fluency, supply the word fairly quickly.

AFTER READING: Use questions to assess comprehension and to promote a discussion of the article.

1. How did the career camp change kids' thinking about health careers?
2. What were some of the careers in the health field that the kids expressed an interest in?
3. What seemed to be a top motivation for the kids to enter the healthcare field?
4. Do you have an interest in a career in healthcare? Discuss.

Food

Suggested lesson plan for "Kid's
recipe is 'dessert of the week'"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Lauren Hammond, Clark Street Grill, Westin Hotel, Pilsbury, Douglas Knopp, Stephanie, Olympic, Athens, Greece, Deutsch Country Days, Marthasville, Whitmore Waves
Other words: berried chocolate tartlets, executive chef, experiment, dough, sprinkles, raspberries, tropical volcano treasures, lava, ingredients, heritage, catering

BEFORE READING: There are a number of unusual words in this article. In order to obtain some idea of how easy or difficult a young reader might find this article, have him or her read the list of possible hard words. If no more than three items cause a problem, have the young reader read the article silently. If four to six are a problem, have him or her read the article aloud to you. If as many as seven items are problems, you offer to read the article aloud. In all three instances, point out that questions will be raised after the reading.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer to help out with any words if asked for help. For the child reading aloud, supply names or words fairly quickly in order to insure fluency. If you read aloud, model fluent and expressive oral reading.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as these to check understanding and promote discussion of the article.

1. Why did Lauren Hammond's recipe end up as a dessert at a downtown restaurant?
2. What does Lauren mostly like to create and what tends to end up in the recipe?
3. What kind of other things does Lauren do besides making up dessert recipes?
4. How does a hair salon figure in Lauren's plans?

Film

Suggested lesson plan for "Kids
project displayed at film festival"

Possible hard words: Proper names: St. Margaret of Scotland, Tivoli theater, Andrew Joerger, Wydown Middle School, Mark Perniciaro, Shaun McKanna, Flamingo Productions, Riley Montray, Notre Dame High School, Christi Schweitzer, Maggie Schneider, Lee Ann Nelson
Other words: documentary, profile, archived, emphasis

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of possible hard words. Provide help as needed. If no more than three items called for help, ask the child to read the article silently. If four to six items called for help, ask the child to read the article aloud to you. If seven or more items need help, you offer to read the article aloud. In all three instances, point out that questions will be raised afterward.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer to help out with any problems words if asked for help. For the one reading aloud, supply troublesome words fairly quickly in order to keep the reading fluent. If you read the article aloud, model fluent and expressive oral reading.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as these to check comprehension and promote a discussion of the article.

1. Why was it a special honor for the kids' documentaries to be shown at the Filmmakers' Showcase?
2. What is the "Habitat for Humanity" program?
3. How do you know the kids had no trouble finding information?
4. Have you ever been involved in filmmaking? Would you like to try? Why or why not?

Music

Suggested lesson plan for "Overnight
play practice is part of job"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Muny, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Jimmy McEvoy, Alexandra Petrullo, Amaryllis, Winthrop
Other words: rehearsal, dismantled, chaotic, memorized, choreography

BEFORE READING: To acquaint the young reader with the vocabulary and names in the article, have him or her read the list of possible hard words. Then ask the child to read the article aloud to you and be ready to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: Supply any words that seem to be impeding fluency.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as the following to check understanding of the article and to stimulate discussion.

1. Why is it necessary to have night rehearsals?
2. How do the cast members know when to report for rehearsal?
3. What did Jimmy think was the hardest part of rehearsals?
4. Would you like to be in a play? Why or why not?

Books

This month's book reviews

Tradition and family relationships
play a part in an ancient Korean sport

Linda Sue Park, author of "The Kite Fighters," already has won a Newbery Medal for her earlier book about medieval Korea, titled "A Single Shard." As the earlier book was structured around the art of pottery making, this book centers around the sport of kite fighting. Park uses the excitement surrounding competitive kite flying as a device to involve her young readers in the life and traditions of 15th century Korea. Her books are a great way to broaden kids' interests in the wider world around them - past and present.

A story of a miracle in a convent in old
Sante Fe is retold in a girl's adventure novel

"The Staircase' by Ann Rinaldi uses an actual staircase in a chapel in Sante Fe, New Mexico, as the centerpiece for her novel. The story behind the unusual spiral staircase is that it was built by a mysterious carpenter with primitive tools. When the carpenter disappeared, all the lumberyards in the area denied supplying any of the rare wood used in construction of the stairway.

Young girls readers will readily identify with Lizzy who has just lost her mother and then is left behind in a convent school when her father slips off to continue West. Her mistreatment at the hands of the cliquish girls in the convent will arouse sympathy and further involve the readers in the assortment of details surrounding Lizzy's adventure-filled year.

A kids' book from 1964 is
repackaged with a more colorful cover

"The Alley" by Eleanor Estes was reviewed as "whimsical" and "lively and amusing" in early reviews forty years ago. It's possible some of today's parents might have read it when they were kids. It is quite different from most of today's books for kids. It focuses more on creating an atmosphere and depicting characters than on advancing a plot. The author is clearly having fun in telling her story from ten-year-old Connie Ives' perspective. A patient reader will have fun as well.

A crush on a student teacher helps
turn around a seventh grade loser

"Losers, Inc." by Claudia Mills is a light and humorous paperback. Its main characters, seventh graders, Ethan and Julius, think they are being "cool" when they try to excel at being "losers". Their self-images change considerably when they exert what is unusual effort (for them) to excel in school in order to impress a beautiful young student teacher. Ethan even comes to admire fellow classmate, Lizzie Archer, aka "the Lizard," and appreciate her tendency to write poetry.

Fit & Fun

Suggested lesson plan for "Kids
link healthy food and fitness"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Jessy Postlewait, Hancock Middle School, Cody Brown, Lori Hartnell, Lemay Center, Eric Paulsen, Daniel McLafferty, Greensfelder Park, Jefferson Barracks
Other words: substitute, beautify, fertilizer, zucchini, cucumbers, hydrated, vegetarian,

BEFORE READING: To assess how easy or difficult a young reader might find the article, have him or her read the list of possible hard words. Help out with any troublesome terms and keep track of how much help you provide. If no more than three items are missed, ask the young reader to read the article silently. If four to six items cause problems, ask the child to read the article aloud to you. If seven or more items call for help, you offer to read the article aloud to the child. In all instances, note that questions will be asked afterward.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer to assist with any words if asked for help. For the child reading aloud, provide any troublesome words quickly in order to keep the reading fluent.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as the following to check comprehension and stimulate a discussion of the article.

1. Give some of the different reasons kids give for attending Fit 'n fun camp.
2. What is an extra advantage the kids get from working in the Lemay Center garden?
3. What is not available at the camp for kids to drink?
4. What are some of the things you do to keep fit and healthy?

Art

Suggested lesson plan for
"Kids art interests start in many ways"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Chris Kobe, Caroline, Harry Schneider, Ben Bailey, Michael Lucas, Gretchen Benkendorf, Christine, Monet
Other words: architect, etchings, embossed, abstract

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the list of possible hard words in order to become familiar with the terms in the article. Help out with pronunciations if needed. Then ask the child to read the article aloud to you and be ready to discuss it afterward.

DURING READING: Supply any names or words that seem to be interfering with fluency.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as these to check understanding and to promote discussion.

1. What were a couple of the ways mentioned that caused kids to get interested in artwork?
2. What is the difference between embossing and etching?
3. What did Henry think was the toughest challenge in his art?
4. What is your favorite type of artwork?

Sports

Suggested lesson plan for "Kid
golfer does well against older players"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Ben Crancer, Kirkwood, Helen Kurtin, Family Gulfplex, Robinson elementary School, Stanford University, Tiger Woods
Other words: tournaments, portion, occupation, international, erratic, astray

BEFORE READING: Since this is a relatively easy article in terms of vocabulary, have the young reader anticipate the article by reading the list of possible hard words. You provide help with any words that cause difficulty. Then ask the young reader to read the article aloud to you.

DURING READING: To insure that fluency is maintained, provide fairly rapidly any words that stump the young reader.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as the following to check comprehension and stimulate discussion of the article.

1. Why is it unusual that Ben Crancer is doing well in golf tournaments for the 12-13 year age group?
2. Why does Ben want to attend Stanford University?
3. What are Ben's first and second career choices?
4. What are some of Ben's accomplishments as a fifth grader that make it likely that Ben will be able to attend Stanford University?

Profile

Suggested lesson plan for
"Youth plans for an 'active' future"

Possible hard words: Proper names: Marcus Zamphier, Buerkle Middle School, Mehlville School District,
Other words: scholarships, profiles, compliment, technology, carnival, resume, envision

BEFORE READING: There aren't many hard words in this article. Ask the young reader to read the words and names from the list. Offer help if needed. Then ask him or her to read the article aloud and be ready to answer questions about it afterward.

DURING READING: Provide any names or words promptly if needed to insure fluency.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as the following to check comprehension and stimulate a discussion of the article.

1. What made you think that possibly Marcus was joining organizations just to look good on paper?
2. What is Marcus' possible career goal at this time?
3. What was his peer tutoring experience?
4. What is Marcus trying to keep in balance