Lesson Plan

• Have storybooks with a simple plot available.
• Read and discuss Jenny’s thought bubbles as they relate to a storybook of your choice.
  • Before reading the book, share the title, author, illustrator, and what these labels mean. Then do a “walk through” of the book. Ask for comments about the pictures and predictions about the story.
  • Read the book aloud. As you read, pause and elicit comments at important points—to check a prediction, to monitor understanding, and so on.
  • After reading the book, ask the children to tell you what it was about. Listen for understandings and misunderstandings alike. Comment on both, giving instruction where needed.

Before-Reading Activity

• Preview and Predict: As a preview, children may look at the title, any bold words, and the pictures in a book. Then have them ask themselves or a partner, “What do these things tell me about the book?” When predicting, children can ask, “What will I learn?” “What do I already know about the topic?” (information book) or “What might happen?” (fiction).

During-Reading Activity

• Ask Questions: At the end of natural breaks in the reading, encourage children to stop and ask themselves questions about the story or facts they are reading. Also have them check if their predictions were accurate. If not, they can change their predictions.

After-Reading Activity

• Retell: After reading, children can tell or write something important that happened (fiction) or things they learned in an informational book. Provide “After Reading” as a guide for writing or telling about their books. After reading an informational book, children can also draw about their topic. Use “See What I Learned” for this activity.