Lesson Plan
Flex Grouping with Novels

Addie Across the Prairie
by Laurie Lawlor

Topic:

    Reading

Grade Level:

    Fourth

Instructional Objectives:

• The students will use popcorn reading to read chapter three of Addie Across the Prairie.
• The students will identify and discuss the story elements presented in chapter three in a whole group literature circle.
• The students will demonstrate their comprehension of chapter three through the development of a four sentence summary.
• The students will illustrate the appearance of a soddy using the description provided in chapter three.

• Reading aloud
• Comprehension

• 8 copies of Addie Across the Prairie
• 8 response journals
• crayons, colored pencils

    Review what happened in chapter two by discussing the written responses to the comprehension questions done for homework.
1.  Why does Pa call the Dakota Territory the "Land of Begin Again"?
2.  Describe the relationship between George and Addie using specific examples from the story.
3.  Who do the Mills' encounter (meet) as they near their homestead?

Procedure:

    After discussing the comprehension questions from chapter two, review the story elements.  The new characters introduced were Mr. Fency and Mrs. Fency (Anna).  Addie and her family meet at the Fency's house.  She is beginning to feel even more lonely now because there is no one for her to play with.  She makes a doll that she names Eleanor, and it reminds her of her best friend back home.
    Popcorn read chapter three and document running records as each student reads a page.  Stop to discuss the development of the story at pages 33 and 35.  Review the parts of a four sentence summary.  Characters, Setting, Problem, and Predicted Resolution.

The development of four sentence summaries was taught prior to the beginning of the novels unit through the use of picture books.  The students had practice constructing these summaries independently as well as in groups.

Key Discussion Questions:

• Before reading chapter three
• Why does Pa call the Dakota Territory the "Land of Begin Again"?
• Describe the relationship between George and Addie using specific examples from the story.
• Who do the Mills' encounter (meet) as they near their homestead?
• After reading chapter three
• Why is it important for the children to stay away from the well?
• Who is Addie's new friend?
• What do the children find in the field near the empty creek bed?

    Discuss the story elements of chapter three.  Make predictions on where the story may be headed.  Have the students turn to page 34-35 and re-read the description of the soddy.  In their response journals, draw a picture of the soddy according to the description.
    Students should read chapter 4 for homework and begin preparing for a quiz on chapters 1-4 the following day.

Assessment:

    Students will show comprehension of chapter two and three through discussion in a literature circle.  The construction and atmosphere of a sod house will be reinforced through their response journal illustrations.  Running records will record the student's accuracy as he/she reads aloud to the group.  The four sentence summary will be evaluated by having all four parts as well as detail and expression of the events in the chapter.

Extension Activities:

    Have students write their own descriptions of what their sod houses (built in Social Studies) were like to build.  They should model their descriptions from the one in chapter three.