Grade 2

Concepts

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of text

Fables and Folktales from different cultures- determine central theme, moral or lesson

Introduce Tall Tales as stories that have a special kind of hero that is larger than life.

Character- Describe how characters respond to main events and challenges

Poetry Elements supply rhythm and meaning:

Beats

Alliteration

Rhyme Repeated Lines

Story Structure

Beginning introduces story, helps us know when and where the story is happening, and who will be a part of it

Plot- presents a problem or challenge for the characters

Ending- concludes the action

Character-

Point of view

Illustration- Story Aide

Use information from illustration and words to demonstrate understanding of character, setting, plot

Compare/Contrast two versions of the same story- Venn Diagram

Strategies

Turn to a partner and ask a question about the story that starts with one of the words- who, what, where, when, why and/or how

Read a book about the four seasons. Students generate questions (record on chart) and find answers (record on post-its)

Read about John Henry and pay attention to the parts that are so fantastic we know that they can't be true. Why do you think we have this story? Why do you think the man beats the machine?

Authors tell us about a character using description, dialogue, how other characters feel or react to the character, and how the character reacts to others and events. Create chart showing character and event in the beginning of story, middle and end.

Read If Not for the Cat. Keep illustration covered as you read to let students use words clues to identify the animal

Read a folktale in pairs. Fold a paper into fourths. First square/ draw characters- Second square/ draw setting- Third square/ draw favorite part of the plot- Fourth square/ write few sentences about what the folktale is teaching. As they improve, substitute writing for illustrations

Peter and the Wolf- Character

Introduce characters and ask students to describe what each will be like

Read story.

Tell how Russian composer used instruments to represent the characters. What sound/instrument should he use for Peter? Wolf? etc?

Play the You Tube or piece of music

Why did Prokofiev choose one instrument over the other for each character? What is it about the character that fits with the instrument?

Read two versions of the same story and have students come up with at least 2 ways they are the same and two ways they are different

Resources

John Henry

Snow in Jerusalem/

Two children who are not friends become friends because they find something in common

If Not for the Cat/ Jack Prelutsky

Peter and the Wolf-

Sergei Prokofiev was a Russian musical composer who wrote a musical rendition of the folktale and used instruments to represent the characters

You Tube- 7 min Characterization/instruments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILI3s7Wonvg

Pop's Bridge/Eve Bunting

Friendship- Bridge is a literal bridge that connects two places, but also two people

Princess and the Pea

Cowboy and the Black-Eyed Pea