Literacy Lesson: Retelling Strategies
For our lesson on retelling strategies, we used Ed Young's book Seven Blind Mice. We chose this text because it lends itself to sequencing activities and contains the four elements of a story we wanted to focus on during story mapping.
The lesson included four components. First, the students participated in an interactive picture walk and read aloud of the book. Next, the students used picture cards to sequence the events in the story. Then, the students sketched their ideas about character, setting, problem, and solution onto graphic organizers. Finally, we completed a story map graphic organizer as a group interactive writing activity.
The lesson included four components. First, the students participated in an interactive picture walk and read aloud of the book. Next, the students used picture cards to sequence the events in the story. Then, the students sketched their ideas about character, setting, problem, and solution onto graphic organizers. Finally, we completed a story map graphic organizer as a group interactive writing activity.
Lesson Description
Overall, the lesson went well. The students participated enthusiastically in all four activities and demonstrated understanding of the two retelling strategies. Related to my inquiry question, I was able to create a group dynamic in which each child felt safe and valued, encouraging students to answer questions they may have been hesitant about. Additionally, I was able to differentiate during the interactive writing activity so that each student had a chance to "share the pen" at a level that reinforced students' phonics skills and concepts of print.[1]
[1]Fountas, I. C., & Pinnell, G. S. (1996). Guided reading: Good first teaching for all children. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
[1]Fountas, I. C., & Pinnell, G. S. (1996). Guided reading: Good first teaching for all children. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.