LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Choosing one word: Summarizing Shel Silverstein's “Sick”

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=893

A lesson plan for Grades 1–2 English Language Arts

Provider: IRA/NCTE

About this resource

Appropriate grades
1–2
Subjects
English language arts (general, self-selected reading)
Provider
IRA/NCTE

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In this lesson, teachers challenge students to select the most important word in a Shel Silverstein poem and to justify their choice by using examples from the text. Although this lesson uses a poem as a sample text, this activity can be done with a piece of literature of any length or genre. After students are familiar with the concept of a summary, they work independently or in small groups to read and summarize other self-selected poems. This lesson provides several links to online poetry resources for teachers.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 1

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop and apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.05: Increase vocabulary, concepts, and reading stamina by reading self-selected texts independently for 15 minutes daily. Self-selected texts should be consistent with the student's independent reading level.
  • Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.01: Read aloud independently with fluency and comprehension any text that is appropriately designed for emergent readers.
    • Objective 2.02: Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of texts (storybooks, short chapter books, newspapers, telephone books, and everyday print such as signs and labels, poems, word plays using alliteration and rhyme, skits and short plays).
    • Objective 2.06: Self-monitor comprehension by using one or two strategies (questions, retelling, summarizing).
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.02: Recognize and relate similar vocabulary use and concepts across experiences with texts.
    • Objective 3.04: Share personal experiences and responses to experiences with text:
      • publishing non-print texts.
      • discussing interpretations.
      • recording personal responses.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.04: Extend skills in using oral and written language:
      • clarifying purposes for engaging in communication.
      • using clear and precise language to paraphrase messages.
      • engaging in more extended oral discussions.
      • producing written products.
      • completing graphic organizers.

Grade 2

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop and apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.05: Use a variety of strategies and skills to read self-selected texts independently for 20 minutes daily. Self-selected texts should be consistent with the student's independent reading level.
  • Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.01: Read and comprehend both narrative and expository text appropriate for grade two by:
      • determining purpose (reader's and author's).
      • making predictions.
      • asking questions.
      • locating information for specific reasons/purposes.
      • recognizing and applying text structure.
      • comprehending and evaluating author's decisions and word choice.
      • determining fact and opinion.
      • recognizing and comprehending figurative language.
      • making inferences and drawing conclusions.
    • Objective 2.02: Use text for a variety of functions, including literary, informational, and practical.
    • Objective 2.05: Self-monitor own difficulties in comprehending independently using several strategies.
    • Objective 2.06: Recall main ideas, facts and details from a text.
    • Objective 2.07: Discuss similarities and differences in events, characters and concepts within and across texts.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.01: Use personal experiences and knowledge to interpret written and oral messages.
    • Objective 3.02: Connect and compare information within and across selections (fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama) to experience and knowledge.
    • Objective 3.04: Increase oral and written vocabulary by listening, discussing, and composing texts when responding to literature that is read and heard. (e.g., read aloud by teacher, literature circles, interest groups, book clubs).
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.03: Read aloud with fluency and expression any text appropriate for early independent readers.
    • Objective 4.05: Respond appropriately when participating in group discourse by adapting language and communication behaviors to the situation to accomplish a specific purpose.