5A Leson 1: Reading Comprehension

Thursday

The story discusses what the child refers to as “big birds in the sky.” I think about what these big birds are. I continue reading, and I see that the child and mother are getting ready to board and take a seat. Well, I know from previous experiences that you get

ready to board and take a seat when you are about to fly on an airplane. Airplanes are like big birds because they can fly. So, the child and mother must be preparing to board a plane.

We are going to practice combining the clues in a passage with what we already

know to determine what the author means. This skill is called making an inference.

Making inferences is a very important skill for readers to learn because sometimes

the author does not directly say everything. In these instances, we as readers have to

“read between the lines” by using clues found in the passage combined with our prior

knowledge to help us come up with the author’s unspoken information.

The text also tells me that the child grabs the mother’s hand, takes a deep breath, and thinks silently, “I can’t change my mind now.” What can I infer about how the child feels?

When you are reading, much of the important information will be stated directly by the author. However, some of the text will say things indirectly, and it will be up to you to determine what it means.

When I use the clues in the text and my

prior knowledge together, I am able to figure out that the child is scared or nervous, although the author never comes right out and says that in the text.

What should you do when making an inference? Share your answer with a partner, or write your answer down.

Inferences clues from text

What’s the first thing you should do?

When would it be necessary to use this strategy?

Now you will read four short passages

and make inferences from the text.

An inference chart like this one can help us distinguish between what the text says

directly and what the author is implying through clues in the reading.

Right,

1. first we look for clues in the text.

2. Second, we think about our prior knowledge, or what we already know about this topic.

3. Third, we combine our prior knowledge with the clues to figure out what the author implies but does not state directly.

Right—when the author doesn’t come right out and say what he/she means.

Watch and listen carefully as I read. I’m going to show you how I locate clues as I read and use my prior knowledge to figure out what the unknown parts are about.

Here is the passage: My mom and I watched the big birds in the sky as they loomed overhead before landing. After taking a deep breath, I grabbed my mother’s hand. We stood in line to board and take our seat. “I can’t change my mind now,” I thought silently. “It’s time for this big bird to fly.”

First, I look for clues in the text. It says that “mom and I watched the big birds in the sky” and “I grabbed my mother’s hand.” This tells me that at least two people are together.

5A Leson 1: Reading Comprehension

gadgets

What do you know about the word gadgets?

a gadget is a useful mechanical or electrical device that is often small.

How are these types of devices helpful to us? How would life be different without them?

What are some common or popular types of gadgets that many people use?

What do these gadgets do? What is their purpose?

Wednesday

Independent Practice

Summary Organizer

Today, you will reread the passage “Too Much of a Good Thing.” You will silently read

each section. Once you reach the end of a section, stop and make connections between

the text and yourself, another text, or something going on in the world. Continue

reading and making connections until you have made connections for the last section.

Topic: What is the text talking about?

Main Idea: What is the main idea of the story?

Major Supporting details: What facts in the text support the main idea?

Tuesday

Good readers always question the text before, during, and after the reading. They approach the text with questions and then develop new ones as they read. Today we are going to ask questions about the text we are reading to deepen our understanding. This is an important strategy because it enables us to establish a purpose for our reading.

We will prepare to read "Too Much of a Good thing." Lets begin by skimming. Remember, skimming a text provides answers to some questions successful readers ask before they read. Skim to find out the topic you are going to read about and whether the passage is a narrative or expository.

Is the passage a narrative or expository text?

narrative

expository

Read the first three paragraphs of the passage. Do not forget to use your sticky notes to jot down your questions. If you find the answer to a question as you read, write it on the sticky note where you wrote the question.

How do you know?

What questions do you have about the passage?

Were you able to answer any of your questions?

What are some questions that you have after reading this passage?

What is the topic of this passage?

Good readers revisit their previous questions to see whether they were answered or can be answered.

Good readers also ask, "What is the main idea of the passage?" Can anyone tell me the main idea of the passage?

How do you feel about what you read?

Now, look at the title of this passage. What questions should you ask before you begin reading?

Before reading, you should ask yourself, "What clues does the title give me about the passage? Do I have any predictions for the passage?"

Use these sticky notes to jot down any questions that you may want to ask, think about, or answer as you read. Write each question on a sticky note and stick it next to the text you have the question about.