Catwings Guided Reading 3rd Grade Lesson Plan 2o166a

Guided Reading Lesson: The Wonderful Alexander…and the Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin Monday Tuesday Vocab/ Tier Stout Fearlessly 3 HFW Exceptionally clung Objective

SWBAT identify and examine the importance of minor problems and solutions that occur in episodes of the text.

Heavy Today we are going to Introduction focus on minor problems and solutions as we study Chapter 3 together. A minor problem is a small problem that usually appears in the same chapter as it’s solution. Let’s turn to Chapter 3 on page 27 now. In this chapter, Jane has arrived back at her home (the barn at Overhill farm) and she has brought Alexander with her. We know that Alexander meets all of the Catwings and it isn’t until

SWBAT trace characters across multiple episodes and elaborate on own understanding as the story progresses. Today we are going to think about our character Alexander as we finish the last chapter of this book together, Chapter 4. Yesterday we focused on minor problems and solutions. Alexander has a small problem in the beginning of chapter 4. Who can read to find out what it is? (Turn and talk) He’s been wondering why Jane can’t talk and he talked to Thelma about it. (Turn back to page 29). He

Wednesday Desolate Glimpse

Thursday Tremendously Cocked Inquiring SWBAT trace SWBAT explain the characters across overall meaning of a multiple episodes and book by discussing how elaborate on own the characters treat understanding as the each other in multiple story progresses. episodes of the book. Today we are going to Today we are going to look back over Chapters investigate the overall 1-4 and think about how meaning of this book. Alexander has changed We are going to think through this book. about a few questions: , good readers 1) What lesson did go back and re-read Alexander learn from when they don’t the beginning of the understand something, so book to the end of the we are going to stop at book? different points to re2) Why did Jane help read to make sure that Alexander when he was we really understand scared and lost? Alexander. 3) Why did Alexander We are going to make a want to do something timeline on our wonderful for Jane? whiteboards so that we When we discuss these

this time when he learns Jane’s name because Jane didn’t tell him before. The first small problem that we find is that Alexander tells Thelma, “my mother will be worried about me” on the bottom of page 31. I know this is a problem for Alexander because he left home when he decided to do wonderful things, but I know that his mother cared a lot about him. (Turn back to page 6 and look at a picture of the family.) Thelma tells Alexander that they’ve talked about it and it seems like Thelma is working on a solution. We know the problem is still there when Alexander says, “he did still think about his mother and father and sisters.” I am looking on this page for the solution and I think I’ve started to find it when I read that out of the little

decides to help Jane and we can learn a lot about Alexander from the way he helps Jane. One thing that we know about Alexander is that he has begun to think of others more than just about himself. When he first left his home with the Furby family, he was thinking himself. But on page 40 he asks, “What wonderful thing could he possibly do for Jane?” We know that Alexander has kindness for others in his heart. Let’s read pages 41 to 47 while we collect more information about what kind of character Alexander is.

can keep track of the different events and character traits of Alexander. (Remind students about how to use a timeline). First, let’s turn back to Chapter 1. In Chapter 1, Alexander is “pompous.” This is a college word (from Charlotte’s Web!) that means he is stuckup or too proud. Let’s turn back to page 8. “Alexander was sure they were right.” (Right about what? Let’s reread to find out.) They were right that Alexander is not afraid of anything! “He liked to think of himself as wonderful.” Put on the timeline.

different answers by looking back in the text, we will be able to come up with the overall meaning together. (Lead students through each question) 1) What lesson did Alexander learn from the beginning of the book to the end of the book?

We’ve talked a lot about how Alexander changed from the beginning to the end. Alexander realized that he shouldn’t always think about just himself. Who else does he think about? Page 35- his family Pge 39-40- Jane

But then, when Alexander goes off exploring, things begin to 2) Why did Jane help change. At the end of Alexander when he was

Discussion/ Questions

red car, stepped the Owner! Think aloud- The Owner arrives at the problem. The next small problem is that Susan and Hank’s mother doesn’t want to lose Alexander. Let’s read silently until we come up with a solution for her problem. What’s the solution that the Owner gives to Susan and Hank’s mother? Another part of the problem is that Alexander misses his mother. What’s the solution? (pg. 37). There’s one more minor problem and solution in this chapter. Can you find it? (Susan and Hank’s mother wants a cat but can’t have one of the Catwings…page 34)

What do we know about Alexander from what he does for Jane? Possible responses:

--He is thoughtful because he uses what he learned from Thelma to talk to her. He tells her , “If you don’t talk, Jane, how will we ever know what it is?” --He is confident /determined because he won’t give up. “I’m going to stand on your tail until you talk to me!” - He is comforting. When she shiver, Alexander curled himself around her

Chapter 1, Alexander is no longer pompous and unafraid of anything. Let’s read pages 16 and 17 to find out how Alexander has changed. (Generate ideas and put on timeline). Can you find other places where Alexander has changed? Pg. 24- Why is Alexander feeling worried and lost? Pg. 28- Alexander has become confident again. Pg. 29- Alexander is caring (about Jane) Pg. 43- Alexander is thoughtful, confident, and comforting. Pg.48- Alexander is wonderful, in a real and genuine way. (Not because he’s not afraid, but because he helped someone.)

scared and lost? We when we read our last book, Catwings Return, that Jane was saved by Harriet and Roger. Jane wanted to save Alexander because someone had once saved her. 3) Why did Alexander want to do something wonderful for Jane? (page 39- 40) I think the overall message of this book is ________________ because___________ *when someone does something kind for you, you should do something kind for someone else to return the favor.

Name_________________________________Date_________________________

*Note: It’s very important that you put your name and date on EVERY page so I can keep track of your progress each day. Thanks! –Mrs. Toeller

READING GUIDE: INDEPENDENT WORK Title of Book _______________________________________________________ Author____________________________________________________________ Re-read Chapter 1: pages 7 to 17. 1. While you are reading, list 5 words in Chapter 1 that you don’t know. Then find the definition using your dictionary. 1. ___________________________2. ___________________________3. ___________________________4. ___________________________5. ___________________________2. Retell Chapter 1. Let’s pretend I’ve never read it and you’re going to tell me everything that happened. Tell all of the most important events. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Name_________________________________Date_________________________ 3. How does Alexander change from the beginning of the chapter to the end of the chapter? your answer with 2 quotes (evidence) from the text. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ R

Re-read Chapter 2: pages 19 to 27.

1. While you are reading, list 5 words in Chapter 2 that you don’t know. Then find the definition using your dictionary. 1. ___________________________2. ___________________________3. ___________________________4. ___________________________5. ___________________________2. Retell Chapter 2. Let’s pretend I’ve never read it and you’re going to tell me everything that happened. Tell all of the most important events. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Name_________________________________Date_________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 3. Why do you think Alexander asks the black kitten, “Can’t you talk?” your answer with 2 quotes (evidence) from the text. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Re-read Chapter 3, pages 27 to 37.

1. While you are reading, list 5 words in Chapter 3 that you don’t know. Then find the definition using your dictionary.

1. ___________________________2. ___________________________3. ___________________________4. ___________________________5. ___________________________-

Name_________________________________Date_________________________ 2. Alexander asks Thelma about Jane because he thinks it’s sad that Jane had not been able to tell him her own name. What does Thelma say to explain to Alexander why Jane only says the words Me, and Hate! ? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 3.

Why

was

Alexander

happy

when

a

red

car

came

to

the

farmhouse?

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 4. Hank and Susan’s mother told the Owner, “I have become very fond of him, but he is your kitten.” But, then the Owner surprised her! Why did the Owner tell Hank and Susan’s mother and father that he would be truly grateful if she would keep Alexander? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

5. Does Alexander ever get to see his mother and father again? How do you know? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Name_________________________________Date_________________________ Re-read Chapter 4, pages 39 to 48.

1. While you are reading, list 5 words in Chapter 4 that you don’t know. Then find the definition using your dictionary.

1. ___________________________2. ___________________________3. ___________________________4. ___________________________5. ___________________________-

2. What is Alexander’s problem at the beginning of Chapter 4? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

3. Explain what happened to Jane that made her not be able to talk. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Name_________________________________Date_________________________ 4. How does Alexander do something wonderful for Jane? What does he help her to do? your answer with evidence from the text. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 4. Why do Roger and Jane tell Alexander that he is wonderful at the end of the book? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

GREAT JOB! YOU WORKED REALLY HARD TO RE-READ THE TEXT AND WRITE STRONG ANSWERS THAT REQUIRED WORKING YOUR BRAIN!

You may now celebrate by reading a book of your choice! Have fun!