Engaging Beginning to an English Lesson on RI 5.1
Objective
Today, we will dive into the expectations set by RI 5.1: Reading Informational Texts. This standard focuses on the ability to quote accurately from a text when explaining what it says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Attention-Grabbing Introduction: "Mystery Object Challenge"
Materials Needed:
- A mystery object (this could be something related to the day's lesson)
- A whiteboard/flip chart
- Markers
Activity Steps:
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Set the Stage
- Begin the class with a covered box or bag that contains a mystery object. Tell the students that they will be participating in a fun challenge to discover more about this object.
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Pose a Question
- Ask the class: "What do you think is inside this box? How can we find out?" Allow students to shout out their guesses. Encourage them to think of specific reasons for their guesses.
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Incorporate Informational Texts
- Reveal that the mystery object is linked to a topic they will be reading about today. For instance, if it's a globe, you might be heading into a lesson about Earth or geography.
- Introduce the idea that to understand this object fully, they’ll need to look for information in a text.
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Explain the Purpose
- Explain that just like they used their observations and knowledge to guess the object's identity, they will use similar strategies to read and quote from informational texts effectively.
- Point out that the standard we're focusing on (RI 5.1) will help them articulate their thoughts more clearly when discussing texts.
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Transition to Texts
- After the guesses, show them a short excerpt from an informational text related to the mystery object. Allow students to quote parts of it as they try to discover what it tells them about the object.
Conclusion
- By using the "Mystery Object Challenge," students become actively involved in thinking critically about how evidence from a text supports or challenges their initial thoughts. This engaging start sets the stage for a productive lesson on reading informational texts and quoting evidence.
Let’s open our minds and hearts to the wonders of reading! What do you think our mystery object teaches us? Let's get started!