Part 3: “Hilda Must Be Dancing” and “Giraffes Can’t Dance” — Compare/Contrast (cont.)
Give each child a completed map identical to the one on your white board and on the reverse side have ready a map with just a blank template for drawing.
Ask the children to look at the side with the text and review the compare/contrast items they came up with in the previous lesson. Make, and have ready, several baggies containing the compare/contrast words presented yesterday and ask students to place them in front of them, as shown.
Part 2: “Hilda Must Be Dancing” and “Giraffes Can’t Dance” — Compare and Contrast
Review the two stories with the children using the narrative icons/map and present the Compare/Contrast Map on a white board (or chart paper, depending on your situation). I set it all up ahead of time.
Begin by explaining the map to the children. Then, suggest that we start thinking of ways the two stories are the same/different using the SGM retelling icons. Start with the Character icon. Ask the children how Hilda and Gerald are the same/different...
“Hilda Must Be Dancing” and “Giraffes Can’t Dance” — Narrative Retellings
These lessons would occur over a period of several days. I usually begin with Hilda Must Be Dancing, but it doesn’t matter which story you choose to work on first.
Read the story to the children. Present a map to the children of a complete episode with the icons going down the center. You may use either chart paper or use the magnets on a white board, as shown.
After reading one of the stories, map it out, icon by icon, engaging the children in the process. After reading one of the stories, map it out, icon by icon, engaging the children in the process. Keep the chart up and model retelling the story using your SGM® Teacher Marker…
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Feelings and Character Description Using a Classic Golden Book
The Saggy Baggy Elephant, written by K. and V. Jackson, was first published in 1947 as part of many tales in the Little Golden Book series. I was recently reminded of this story when my neighbor’s grandson brought it to me to share. First published in 1942, Little Golden Books were created as an affordable choice of books that appealed to children. The books originally sold for 25 cents (www.randomhousekids.com/
goldenbooks) each. These books are still readily available to children, and, as of 2002, over 2 billion Little Golden Books were in print.
The following is The Saggy Baggy Elephant outlined as a basic complete episode...
Adobe Voice gives “Voice” to Narrative or Expository Language
It’s Technology Tuesday, and this month we will cover a simple, free tool to practice combining visuals and oral narration to produce an engaging video! A main goal of using MindWing’s Story Grammar Marker® and ThemeMaker® tools is to provide structure for oral discourse. Narrative or expository maps provide a “plan” for the elements of discourse, along with key words to help students connect their thoughts when formulating a story or explanation. In this way, a culminating activity of using any language map can involve asking students to “connect the dots” in formulating a complete story or using expository language. Adobe Voice, a free, easy-to-use app, provides a fast and motivating way to do this!...
Expository “My Research” Cut–and-Fold Booklet
The “Core” of The Core manual contains many hands-on materials for student use. One of my favorites is the Expository “My Research” Cut–and-Fold Booklet. I have used this in many settings and grade levels, including centers and with intervention groups. Instructions are included in the manual.
Sea Turtles by Gail Gibbons is one book that works very well with this activity since it includes all expository text structures. As an added resource, Maryellen recently did a section of a webinar on the topic of sea turtles that you might be interested in viewing. (Click here to view Sea Turtles expository analysis excerpt.)...