ELA Lesson

Grade Level and Unit: Reading

Session and Description of Lesson Tasks: Identifying the Turning Point

Materials needed: ¨  Posters ¨  Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Grouping Decisions: Small group

Learning goals & Essential Questions What is a turning point? Objective(s) I can transfer knowledge from Writer’s Workshop to Reading Group. I know what a turning point is. I can find turning points in stories. I can use evidence from the text to prove an action or event in the text really is a turning point.	Language Objectives Turning point
MA Frameworks: Third Grade MA.8.A Identify elements of fiction (e.g. characters, setting, plot, problem, solution) Grade 4 3. Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g. a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).

Connect: Today we talked about the turning point in our own writing.  Who can describe what the turning point is? Anticipate: A part of the story where something big changes, like in Mrs. Pemsler’s story when she decided to go swimming anyway* *example of writing instruction

Implementation Introduction Focus Questions/Hook/Launch: Do you think there is one big turning point in a story or can there be many? Explore: What were some times in Loser that we’ve noticed a big change or a turning point? Why?  Why not? Summary: Continue to independently read and jot down on your sticky notes times when you feel there is a turning point and why.   Show what changes.

Evidence: -poster with all group’s suggestions -stickys

Differentiated Instruction ELL IEP/Modification/Accommodation Extension

Notes and Reflections This was a particularly interesting discussion.  When we were introduced to the concept of turning points as a whole group in writing, I myself wasn’t too sure what was being implied here.  Was it the climax?  Was it just any random “Aha” moment in writing?  I think that having that uncertainty myself made for a more open discussion when I brought the concept into reading group.  This, for me, felt like a really good example of the positive side of not knowing something that you are trying to teach.  I didn’t have a hugely specific anticipated answer in my head, and my questions were not loaded – I was genuinely looking for kid’s answers and explanations.