June 2004     Vol.5 Issue 6

Suggested lesson plan for “Local team
wins twice in stock market competition”

Possible hard words: Proper names: Justin Hoffman, Corey Jenkins, Alex Giovanoni, Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, LaSalle Springs Middle School, St. Raphael the Archangel School, Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, Martha Stewart
Other words: skeptical, principal, retailer, portfolio, narrator, conservative, minimize, fraud

BEFORE READING: Have the young reader read the entire list of possible hard words. Help out where needed but keep track of the number of items needing help. If no more than three needed your assistance, ask the young reader to read the article silently. If four to six items needed your help, ask the young reader to read the article aloud to you. If seven or more items called for help, you volunteer to read the article aloud. In all three cases note that questions will be asked after the reading.

DURING READING: For the silent reader, offer to help out with 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 aloud, model smooth, fluent oral reading.

AFTER READING: Use questions such as the following in order to check understanding and to promote a discussion of the article.

1. Why was Mark Twain considered “skeptical” about investing in the stock market?
2. What did the team do before investing in a stock?
3. Why does “selling short” seem to be a bad idea?
4. Would you be interesting in playing the investment game? Why or why not?