Reading

1. Reading Unit: 1 Lesson:1 Module: A • Objectives: • Identify the main ideas and supporting details in a text. • Make inferences based on the details in a text. Today we will be doing a Close Reading of pages 7-15 • Essential Questions: • How does a reader consider point of view? • How does a writer use experiences, narration, and description to compel a • reader?

2. First Read Let’s explore the text! Look at the front and back covers and focus on the photographs. Read the reviews on the back cover and think about what you expect to learn from this book.

3. Read Aloud Routine Focus: What is the “gist” of the text? I will begin reading The Tarantula Scientist while you follow along in your book. Then, you will continue reading up to page 15 silently on your own. focus on understanding the “gist” of the text, or who and what the text is mainly about. Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are done with the reading: • What evidence in the text shows that tarantulas are usually not dangerous to people? • What details support the point that tarantulas are like “creatures from another planet”? • What questions do you have?

4. Second Read • When you reread The Tarantula Scientist, focus on key ideas and details. • Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are done with the reading: • What have you learned about Sam Marshall so far? How would you describe Sam? • How is the word periodically used in the context of the text? • The text states that pedipalps are a “pair of food-handling feet.” What parts of pedipalps help you understand this definition? • How does the writer support the idea that the Goliath birdeater tarantula is “queen of the jungle”?

5. Focused Reading • Text-Based Vocabulary • prey, p. 8 • predator, p. 8 • vibrations, p. 9 • Vocabulary Routine: • 1. Read the sentence containing the word. • 2. Identify context clues about its meaning within the passage. • 3. Look up the word in a dictionary and read the definition. • 4. Use the word in other ways. • *After we review these words, write your sentences on p. 4 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal.*

6. Focused Reading Small Group Discussion Routine On p. 12, the writer states “Spiders seem like creatures from another planet.” The writer then explains that a spider’s blood is not red and it sometimes gets rid of its skin and other body parts. This makes the spider very different from a lot of other animals. According to Sam, spiders have a lot to teach us. Consider and discuss the question, “What might spiders teach us?” Use evidence from the text in your discussion.

7. Focused Reading Team Talk Routine On p. 13, Sam says that tarantulas are “underappreciated.” Do you agree? Use details from the text to support why or why not?

8. Reading Analysis Narrator The narrator is the person who is telling the story. This text is written by a third-person narrator. This means that the narrator is not part of the story and describes what other people see and do. In this text, sometimes Sam, the subject of the text, is speaking, or narrating. What are some clue words that signal a third-person narrator?

9. Reading Analysis Cite Text Evidence Reread pages 7–8 and complete a T-Chart with columns titled: Third-person narrator and Sam as narrator 1. What does the narrator describe that Sam cannot? 2. What things does Sam describe that the narrator cannot?

10. Independent Reading Reading Analysis Work independently to complete a T-Chart to give additional examples of third-person narration and text where Sam is speaking on page 15. Writing in Response to Reading Direct your attention to the picture and caption on page 15. Turn to page 5 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal and read the prompt: Write several sentences stating your opinion whether or not you think tarantulas are beautiful. Support your opinion using details from the text. Write your response on a separate sheet of paper.

11. Small Groups It’s time to get into our groups! Please see me if you don’t know what group you belong in.

12. Writing • Informative/Explanatory Writing • Objectives: • Write to introduce a topic. W.4.2.a • Understand the function of nouns. L.4.1

13. Writing Informative/Explanatory Writing Informational/explanatory texts such as The Tarantula Scientist provide factual information about a topic or subject. Good writers begin by clearly introducing their topic in order to make their writing engaging and easy to understand. • Informative/explanatory writing tells about real people, places, or events. • It includes a strong introduction to help readers understand the main topic of the text. • The body includes supporting details, such as facts, examples, and descriptions. It may also use visuals, such as photographs, to reinforce information. • The conclusion of the text summarizes what came before.

14. Writing Informative/Explanatory Writing Writers often introduce a topic by stating it explicitly. Writers also include details that clearly relate to and help to develop the topic. These details help the reader easily understand what the text will be about. The subject of the book, Sam Marshall, is introduced in the very first sentence. On the first page, we learn that Sam is an arachnologist—a tarantula scientist. Scientists study natural phenomena, such as plants or storms. • The first chapter opens with Sam looking for tarantulas. It goes on to describe basic facts about tarantulas and spiders. What does this suggest the book will be about? • What details in the first chapter help to show what Sam is like, what Sam does, and what interests him? • What do the photographs suggest will be the topic of the book?

15. Writing Analyze the Model The author uses details and descriptions to clearly introduce the topic: Sam Marshall and his work studying tarantulas. Identify details that suggest what the text will be about.

16. Writing Conventions Focus: Nouns A noun is a word that names a person, place, or thing. Nouns can also be ideas or concepts. • A common noun refers to a certain kind of person, place, or thing. Examples are snake, forest, and leaf. • A proper noun refers to a specific person, place, or idea. Examples are Sam Marshall and Hiram, Ohio. Proper nouns always begin with capital letters.

17. Writing Independent Writing Read the prompt on p. 9 of the Reader’s and Writer’s Journal. Pick someone in the public eye whose achievements have helped others. Write a brief introductory paragraph about the achievements of the subject you choose. Paragraphs should clearly establish the topic, introducing the person to readers and providing details that show why his or her work is important. Be sure that the topic is clearly explained and easily understandable for readers.