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8th Grade ELAThree-Day Lesson

Three-Day Lesson Overview:

Day One: You will select a story to read from a list of short stories. During the first read on day one, you will complete a note catcher. If your story is longer, you may read the first half on day one, and the second half of the story on day two.

Day Two: On day two you might have to finish the story you started on day one. Then you will reread your story with a different focus for reading. You will complete a different note catcher.

Day Three: On day three, you will use the information from your note catcher from day two to write a response to a prompt.

Day 1

Step 1 – Select a short story

Things to consider when selecting a short story

• Select a story from the list on the next slide.

• Read the first paragraph of the story and ask yourself:• Do you understand most of the words? • Do the characters and or plot seem interesting to you?• Can you close your eyes and visualize the characters and

the setting?• Does the story length (number of pages) feel right?

• If you answered yes to most of the questions above, this is the story for you.

• If you answered no to most of the questions above, then move on to a different story and repeat the process until you find the best one for you.

Select a story to read from the list below:

• The Scholarship Jacket by Martha Salinas• The Terror by Junot Diaz• Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu • One Friday Morning by Langston Hughes • The Medicine Bag by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

Step 2 – Select a reading strategy

How to Select a Reading Strategy

When you are reading your short story today you will:• Monitor your understanding of the story using one of these three strategies: Questioning

the Text; Self-Monitoring; or Say, Mean, Matter. These are listed on the next slide.

• Select the strategy that is right for you will help you get the most out of your reading. • Read the directions for all three strategies and consider which strategy will support you as

a reader with staying focused on the words, action, and development of the plot line; paying attention to important elements of a story; or going through a process to develop a deeper understanding of what the author is trying to say.

*Print out the “Student Materials Reading Strategies” PDF or create your own version of the reading strategy on paper.

During Reading Strategy

Select a reading strategy from the list to monitor your reading.

Reading Strategy This reading strategy will help you to:

Questioning the text Stay focused on the words, actions, and plot line

Self-Monitoring Reading Strategies

Pay attention to important parts of a story

Say Mean Matter Develop a deeper understanding of what the author is trying to say.

Begin Reading

Read the story you selected and complete the reading strategy you selected.

If your story is very long, you might want to read the first part today, and finish reading the story tomorrow.

You should read and take notes on your reading strategy chart for at least 30 minutes today.

Save your work for tomorrow.

Day 2

Welcome Back!

First review the work you completed yesterday:• Reread your reading strategy chart to remember the key parts of the story

and what you were thinking about it.• Locate the copy of your story and 1) finish reading the story if you did not

yesterday, or 2) move on to the next task if you are ready to reread your story.

Note: Rereading a story might seem unnecessary, however rereading a story with a new focus will help you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the story. You will also notice new details that you missed on the first read.

During Rereading

When you are rereading your short story today you will:• Deepen your understanding of the story by using a

graphic organizer designed to guide your second reading.

• Select the graphic organizer that is right for you will help you get the most out of your reading.

• Read the directions for all three graphic organizers and consider which organizer feels most comfortable for you to complete. This means you won’t have any questions about how to fill in the graphic organizer.

Print out the “Student Materials Graphic Organizer” PDF or create your own version of the graphic organizer on paper.

Second Reading Graphic Organizer

Select a graphic organizer from the chart to deepen your understanding while rereading.

Graphic Organizer This graphic organizer will help you to:

Storyboard Graphic Organizer

Understand the different parts of the plot line

Character Traits Dig deeper into a character’s motivations or choices

Determining Themes Consider the author’s main message or purpose for writing the story

Begin Rereading

Reread the story you selected and complete the graphic organizer you selected.

If your story is very long, you might want to reread the first part today, and finish rereading the story tomorrow.

You should reread and take notes on your graphic organizer for at least 30 minutes today.

Save your work for tomorrow.

Day 3

Welcome Back!

First review the work you completed yesterday:• Reread your graphic organizer to remember the key parts of the story

and what you were thinking about it.• Locate the copy of your story and 1) finish reading the story if you did

not yesterday, or 2) move on to the next task if you are ready to write about your story.

Writing About Reading: Short Literary Response

You will use your graphic organizer from the second read to help you construct a short literary response.• Read the “Day 3 Writing Prompt” at the top of

your graphic organizer. You will write to answer this prompt.

• Review your notes and skim the story to plan your short literary response.

• Read these Elements of an effective short literary response to help you organize your writing.

• You can type your response or write on paper.

Graphic Organizer Writing PromptsReading Strategy Graphic OrganizerIf you selected this reading strategy…

Day 3 Writing PromptThen this is your writing prompt…

Storyboard Graphic OrganizerHow does the structure of the story (rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) contribute to the development of the character, the conflict, or a central theme? Use evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Character TraitsHow does the main character in your story grow or change throughout the story? Trace the character’s development referring to the beginning, middle and end of the story by noting how the author introduces the character and shows their development. Use evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Determining ThemesWhat is the author’s theme or real-world message in the story? Why is this theme important to understand? Use evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Final StepCheck with your teacher to get more information on how to submit your work for review.