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Sequencing Using Folktales

Created By: Marilyn Cimino, Dr.Howard Elementary School (Champaign, IL)
Grade Level: 4th
Content Area: Language Arts
Length of Time: 45 to 60 minutes


Lesson Plan Objectives

  1. The students will demonstrate their ability to recognize the sequence of events by summarizing The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.
  2. Students will use specific words to help write a summary of the sequence events in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

Materials:


Procedure:

  1. Teacher will ask class if anyone knows the tale of The Three Little Pigs.
  2. Teacher will ask students to share any information they recall from that tale.
  3. Teacher will read the story to the class for those who haven't heard it and to refresh the memory of those who have.
  4. Class will have short discussion about the story (e.g., what did you think, especially those who just heard it for the first time, etc.)
  5. Teacher will ask for volunteers to summarize what happened. The statements should be recorded on the board or chart paper.
  6. After the statements are recorded, ask the class which happened first, second... next, then, and finally.
  7. Put the statements in order using the words that help them to know what happened when.
  8. Have a discussion about how important those words are in helping to tell the order or sequence of the events that happened. Underline those sequencing words on the board.
  9. Teacher will explain to the students that she is going to read another version of the story but it is called The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.
  10. Tell the children that this story is different and is told from the wolf's point of view.
  11. Ask them to pay special attention to what happens in this story.
  12. Tell students that they will have to write a short summary of this story using the sequencing words after it is read. Teacher will read story slowly and may repeat or comment on particular parts that she feels will be important to remember.
  13. After the story is read, ask the children to write a summary of it using the sequencing words.
  14. After the writing is completed have a class discussion about the two books, how they were alike and different, who liked which one best and why, etc. This will wrap up the lesson.

Assessment:

Teacher will check to see if the students wrote their summary of the story in the order in which it happened (which would signify that they recognized the sequence of events) and used the sequencing words in a meaningful order to help order their summary.

*Partially adapted from: <http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/2012.html>