ACES Regional Curriculum Consortium ELA Lesson Plan
Grade/Subject / Unit 1/Grade 3/Reading/Lesson3Unit Title / Guess the Genre
Lesson Title / Compare and Contrast Theme
Overview of Lesson / Students create a Venn Diagram to show similarities and differences between two tall tales by the same author, Steven Kellogg.
Unit Essential Questions (and Corresponding Big Ideas)
Why do readers read?
What can we learn from reading tall tales?
What can we learn from print?
Why do writers write?
What are the differences in genres? (Tall tales, myths, folktales, fables)
Core Standards Addressed in this Lesson
RL.3.1
RL.3.2
RL.3.9
W.3.8
ISTE Standards Addressed in this Lesson
(http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx)
Learning Objectives (in student-friendly language)
Tip: Derive learning objectives from the K-U-Ds in your unit plan.
Know:
- Characteristics of Tall Tales
- Meanings of general academic terms:
Similes
metaphors
Genres
Understand:
-Students will understand that authors use different styles of writing and a variety of craft to convey meaning
-Students will understand that tall tales, folktales, fables, and mythology are part of oral history
-Students will understand that stories were told and passed down from generation to generation in order to make entertaining connections to historical events
-Students will understand how the use of graphic organizers help in understanding the tall tale and in note taking
-Students will understand difference between examples of exaggeration, similes, and metaphors in text
Do:
-Classify a piece of literature as a certain genre
-Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast most important points and key details of two tall tales by the same author
-Students will answer open ended question about the two tall tales by the same author
-Determine main idea/theme and synthesize information
-Determine central message, lesson, or a moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in a text
-Classify literature as a certain genre
-Identify a theme in a piece of writing
Objectives:
Students will compare the elements of two tall tales by the same author.
Lesson Focus Questions
What are the similarities and differences between character, theme, and setting between Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg?
Suggested Texts
Title / Author / BRIEF Synopsis / Genre / Lexile/
F & P
Paul Bunyan / Steven Kellogg / The story of Paul Bunyan / Tall tale / O/1030
Johnny Appleseed / Steven Kellogg / The story of Johnny Appleseed / Tall Tale / K/920
Supplemental Materials and Resources
Texts to use:
Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg
Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
Note taking template
Venn Diagram template
Preparation Required (and suggested)
-Make sure all students have taken notes on Paul Bunyan using note taking template
-Students can identify theme (refer to That’s a Great Answer p. 55), character, and setting
-Students have been exposed to answering open ended questions
-Students have heard the story of Paul Bunyan
Anticipated Misconceptions for This Lesson
Lesson Development / Annotation
Mini Lesson:
Read Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
Students will take notes (note taking template) on things they notice while hearing the story Johnny Appleseed that include characters, setting, and theme.
Lesson:
Hand out Venn diagram template to all students while teacher displays a large one on board, chart paper, or on projector.
Students and teacher will use the note taking templates to discuss and create the Venn diagram on similarities and differences of Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg.
Closure:
Students will complete this independently
Handout: In the stories Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed, compare and contrast the differences between character, setting, and theme.
Bring the discussion back to the question: What is a tall tale? What makes these stories tall tales?
Formative Assessment Processes/Practices / Annotation
Note taking template
Venn Diagram
Open Ended question (closure)
Name______Date______
Notes for Tall Tales
Title of book______
Characters / Setting / ThemeTitle of book______
Characters / Setting / Theme1 | ELA Lesson Plan