Jason Resnick March 11, 2013

Lesson Plan: Interactive Read Aloud Lesson

Grade: 5

Time: 45 minutes

Standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

Objectives: Students will know the difference between theme and plot. Students will be able to determine the themes that are in the book from the text.

Materials: Teammates by Peter Golenbock Chart Paper Marker for chart paper

Lesson Sequence: Before Reading:

o Who likes baseball? Who plays baseball? Does anyone know who Jackie Robinson was? Does anyone know what Jackie Robinson did? Today I am going to read another one of my favorite books to you; the book is titled Teammates by Peter Golenbock. o Before I read the book I will ask the students three questions, Can anyone tell me what the definition of a theme is? I will ask one question at a time, and I will not move on to the next question until the answer to the question before is correct. I will wait for the children to raise their hands, and then I will call on a child who volunteers to answer the question. If that child doesnt give me the right answer, I will call on other students until I get the correct answer. The answer that I am hoping to hear is that the definition of a theme is the main idea of a story it is the bigger idea of the story, the lessons of the story that is communicated directly or indirectly. Then I will ask the children, Do you know what the definition of plot is? Yes, plot is what happens in the story. What is the difference between plot and theme? You are correct; plot is what happens in the story and carries the ideas of the theme along, and theme is what the author would like the reader to take away from the story. Very good, I am now going to begin to read the book Teammates, and as I read class, please listen for the different themes in the book.

During Reading: o I will stop reading occasionally on different pages and ask the students if they have heard any themes yet in the book, or if they hear a theme on this page. Has

anybody heard any themes so far in the book and if so, what theme have you heard and can you explain more about the theme and why it is important to the story? I will write the themes that the students tell me on the chart paper. o I will stop on the following pages, some important themes, I am hoping the children will mention are: Page 4, Life was very different for the players in the Major Leagues. They were the leagues for white players. Compared to the Negro League players, white players were very well paid. They stayed in good hotels and ate in fine restaurants. Possible themes - racial inequity and anger. Page 8, Branch Rickey launched a search for him. He was looking for a star player in the Negro Leagues who would be able to compete successfully despite threats on his life or attempts to injure him. Possible theme self-control.. Page 12, At spring training with the Dodgers, Jackie was mobbed by blacks, young and old, as if he were a savior. He was the first black player to try out for a Major League team. Possible theme bravery/courage. Page 17, But making the Dodgers was only the beginning. Jackie had to face abuse and hostility throughout the season, from April through September. His worst pain was inside. Often he felt very alone. Possible theme loneliness. Page 24, The Reds played in a small ballpark where the fans sat close to the field. The players could almost feel the breath of the fans on the backs

of their necks. Many who came that day screamed terrible, hateful things at Jackie when the Dodgers were on the field. Possible theme racism. Page 28, Stopping beside Jackie, Pee Wee put his arm around Jackies shoulder. Possible theme friendship. After Reading: o Ok, class we have already identified some themes as we read through the book, who can tell me if there are any other themes that are in the book? When you tell me the theme, please also let me know what you think the importance of the theme is to the story, and I will write down the themes that you tell me on the chart paper. Some other possible themes that the children might say are: segregation, teamwork, taking a stand, self-respect, self-determination, violence and sadness. o Great job readers we have discovered themes that are important in the book. There sure are a lot of themes in the book, Teammates, determining themes is vital to understanding a story. Assessment: o Students will be successful if they understand the definitions and know the differences between plot, and theme and if they are able to identify the themes in the story. Differentiation: o To differentiate the lesson I will ask a variety of questions on various levels to promote critical thinking like Blooms Taxonomy. If any of the students are

having difficulties knowing the differences between plot and theme, I will help them understand by having a one on one conference with them.