Unit

Fiction--The Smallest Dragon Boy--Short Story

Local Objective

At the end of this unit, students will be able to...

a.  Analyze character motivation.

b.  Make inferences.

c.  Analyze the characters' effects on the plot and its resolution.

d.  Determine the meaning of vocabulary.

**Link to "The Smallest Dragon Boy"

a.  Analyze texts that show comparison and contrast.

Objective used to evaluate students


Yes

Assessment Activity

1.  The students will be assessed by participating in classroom discussions (guiding questions located throughout textbook and listed at end of EATonline) and completing independent activities on the objectives of analyzing character motivation, making inferences, analyzing the characters' effects on the plot, determining vocabulary, and analyzing text that show comparison and contrast (textbook p. 162).

2.  At the end of the selection, students will complete a selection test to evaluate the mastery of analyzing character motivation (questions 7,12,13,14), making inferences (questions 1,2,4,5,6,9,10,11), analyzing the characters' effects on the plot (questions 3,8), determining vocabulary (questions 15-19), and analyzing text that show comparison and contrast (question 20).

Level of Expectation

80%

List of concepts and Evaluation Types


ConceptEvaluation Type
Wall Chart of Story ElementsPE
Link to "The Smallest Dragonboy"CR
Vocabulary Check WorksheetMC
"Response and Analysis" QuestionsCR
Selection TestPE

Learning Activity

The students will:

1.  Write a short paper about what motivates you to do something hard or difficult.  What motivates other people you know?  Participate in a classroom discussion.

2.  Read selection vocabulary, determine their meanings, and read sample sentences.  Complete a vocabulary check worksheet. (handouts 7,73,76)

3.  Read the fiction, short story entitled "The Smallest Dragonboy" by Anne McCaffrey.  Participate in discussions during reading.  Analyze character motivation, make inferences, analyze character effects, determine vocabulary, and analyze text that shows comparison and contrast. (handouts 7,73,76)

4.  Complete a "Response and Analysis" set of questions. (page 162)  Retell the story events during this process.

5.  Complete a plot chart reviewing plot, climax, resolutions, characters traits, etc. (general handout)

6.  Complete a study guide. (handout)

7.  Take a selection test of the short story entitled "The Smallest Dragonboy".

8.  Record plot chart information onto class wall chart detailing story elements.

9.  Read the link to "The Smallest Dragonboy".  Analyze comparison and contrast.  Create a Venn diagram.

Instructional Method

The teacher will:

1.  Guide students as they write a short paper about what motivates them to do something difficult or hard.  Discuss what things motivate other people.  Guide classroom discussion.

2.  Introduce the selection vocabulary words, meanings, and sample sentences.  Assign a vocabulary check worksheet. (handouts 7,73,76)

3.  Guide students during the reading of the fiction, short story entitled "The Smallest Dragonboy" by Anne McCaffrey.  Guide discussion throughout the reading.  Help students to analyze character motivation, make inferences, analyze character effects, determine vocabulary, and analyze text that shows comparison and contrast.

4.  Discuss and model the "Response and Analysis" questions.  Guide students in the retelling of the story events.

5.  Discuss and model how to complete a plot chart. (general handout)

6.  Guide students through recording story elements on the wall chart.

7.  Discuss the study guide for the selection test.

8.  Assist students as they read the link to "The Smallest Dragonboy".  Guide students as they analyze comparison/contrast and as they create a Venn diagram.

Content Standards

CA 2, CA 3

Process Standards

2.4, 3.8, 3.7, 1.5, 3.5, 3.4, 1.6, 3.1

Resources

Holt Elements of Literature

Markerboard

Correction Exercise

Tutoring

Peer Coaching

Enrichment Exercise

Independent Reading

Special Needs

Tutoring

Peer Coaching

Modified Assignments

GLEs v1.0


GLE CodeDisciplineStrandBig IdeaConceptGrade Level/CourseGLE
CA/1/2/B/07/aCommunication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry and drama from a variety of cultures and timesLiterary DevicesGrade 7Identify and explain figurative language in poetry and prose (emphasize hyperbole, imagery and symbolism
CA/1/2/C/07/aCommunication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry and drama from a variety of cultures and timesText ElementsGrade 7Use details from text to - identify plot and sub-plot, theme and various types of conflict - analyze cause and effect - identify and explain point of view and mood - determine how an incident foreshadows a future event - evaluate the problem-solving processes of characters and the effectiveness of solutions
CA/1/1/E/07/aCommunication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processVocabularyGrade 7Develop vocabulary through text, using - roots and affixes - context clues - glossary, dictionary and thesaurus
CA/1/1/F/07/aCommunication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPre-ReadingGrade 7Apply pre-reading strategies to aid comprehension - access prior knowledge - preview - predict - set a purpose and rate for reading
CA/1/1/G/07/aCommunication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processDuring ReadingGrade 7During reading, utilize strategies to - self-question and correct - infer - visualize - predict and checkusing cueing systems < meaning < structure
CA/1/1/H/07/aCommunication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPost-ReadingGrade 7Apply post-reading skills to comprehend and interpret text - question to clarify - reflect - analyzedraw conclusions - summarize - paraphrase

GLEs v2.0 and CLEs


GLE CodeDisciplineStrandBig IdeaConceptGrade Level/CourseGLE
CA/R/1/E/7/b.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processVocabulary7th GradeDevelop vocabulary through text, using context clues
CA/R/1/F/7/b.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPre-Reading7th GradeApply pre-reading strategies to aid comprehension: preview
CA/R/1/F/7/c.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPre-Reading7th GradeApply pre-reading strategies to aid comprehension: predict with evidence
CA/R/1/G/7/d.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processDuring Reading7th GradeDuring reading, utilize strategies to infer
CA/R/1/G/7/e.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processDuring Reading7th GradeDuring reading, utilize strategies to visualize
CA/R/1/G/7/f.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processDuring Reading7th GradeDuring reading, utilize strategies to paraphrase
CA/R/1/G/7/g.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processDuring Reading7th GradeDuring reading, utilize strategies to summarize
CA/R/1/H/7/a.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPost-Reading7th GradeApply post-reading skills to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate text: identify and explain the relationship between the main idea and supporting details
CA/R/1/H/7/b.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPost-Reading7th GradeApply post-reading skills to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate text: question to clarify
CA/R/1/H/7/c.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPost-Reading7th GradeApply post-reading skills to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate text: reflect
CA/R/1/H/7/d.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPost-Reading7th GradeApply post-reading skills to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate text: draw conclusions
CA/R/1/H/7/e.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPost-Reading7th GradeApply post-reading skills to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate text: paraphrase
CA/R/1/H/7/f.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processPost-Reading7th GradeApply post-reading skills to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate text: summarize
CA/R/2/B/7/b.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry and drama from a variety of cultures and timesLiterary Techniques7th GradeIdentify and explain literary techniques, in text emphasizing imagery
CA/R/2/C/7/b.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry and drama from a variety of cultures and timesLiterary Elements7th GradeUse details from text to identify plot and sub-plot, mood, flashback, theme and types of conflict
CA/R/2/C/7/d.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry and drama from a variety of cultures and timesLiterary Elements7th GradeUse details from text to identify and explain point of view
CA/R/2/C/7/e.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry and drama from a variety of cultures and timesLiterary Elements7th GradeUse details from text to identify and explain author's viewpoint/perspective
CA/R/2/C/7/f.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry and drama from a variety of cultures and timesLiterary Elements7th GradeUse details from text to evaluate the problem-solving processes of characters
CA/R/1/I/7/a.Communication ArtsReadingDevelop and apply skills and strategies to the reading processMaking Connections7th GradeCompare, contrast and analyze connections: text to text (information and relationships in various fiction and non-fiction works)

Objective Notes/Essential Questions


DateNote/Question
6/24/2010 1:49:36 PMGuiding questions to be asked during reading:
1.  What does this information suggest about Keevan? 
2.  Suggest why you think Keevan works so hard to prove himself.
3.  Describe Beterli's character.
4.  What can you infer about Beterli from his having been present at eight impressions?      
5.  Define the word consensus.
6.  Explain the internal conflict Keevan is going through.
7.  Suggest why K'last expresses his opinions.
8.  Why do you think the boys' tempers are uncertain?
9.  What inference do you think Keeven has just made? Why?
6/24/2010 1:51:39 PM10.  Think about how you would feel if they were in Keevan's place.      Why do you think Lessa wants to hear Keevan's side of the story?      
11.  What old gag is Lessa referring to?      
12.  Suggest what you think Keevan should do
13.  What does Keevan's journey to the cavern suggest about his character?      
14.  What does this dragon's refusal to choose a rider suggest about him?      
15.  Explain why the bronze baby dragon choose Keevan?