Armadilly Chili

In the classroom/library:
Mr. Hillman and Mr. Christopher

Introduction
GRADE LEVEL: 2nd
SUBJECT: Reading, Social Studies (geography)
OVERVIEW: In this lesson, students will recall the various elements of a read-aloud story that is read to them and relate and describe those elements in sequence. They will identify desert characteristics, plant life and terrain.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this lesson is to familiarize students with the elements of story in such a way as to prepare them to recognize them again with any future literary experience, and to appreciate and understand the desert environment in which they live.

Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Identify the elements of literature.
2. Recall the sequence of events that occur.
3. Express, orally, his or he own notions regarding characters or situations.
4. Identify the characteristics of the Southwest Desert.

Standards
Language Arts/Reading:
Strand 2: Comprehending Literary Text
Concept 1: Elements of Literature
Identify, analyze, and apply knowledge of the structures and elements of literature. (R02-S2C1)
PO 1. Describe literary elements of text including characters, plot (specific events, problem and solution), and setting.
PO 2. Describe characters (e.g., traits, roles, similarities) within a literary selection.
PO 3. Sequence a series of events in a literary selection.

Social Studies
Standard 3: Geography
Identify natural and human characteristics of places and how people interact with and modify their environment, with emphasis on: (SS3-F2)
PO 3. the relationship between the physical features and the location of human activities

ELL Standards
Student will express orally his or her own thinking and ideas by describing a person, object, or situation in some detail. (ELL-II-listening and speaking)

Resources
Armadilly Chili by Helen Ketteman and illustrated by Will Terry
The Little Red Hen, retold by Brenda Parks and Judith Smith
National Geographic Earth History Pictures

Materials
T-chart: Story/ sequence chart.
T-chart poster board

Process
Introductory/Anticipatory Set
Talk about the desert environment, its plant life, and its characteristics, and anticipate discovering these things within the story.

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. use effective vocabulary and logical organization to relate or summarize ideas, events and other information (LS-F1), (ELL II)
2. express orally his or her own thinking and ideas by describing a person, object, or situation in some detail
3. retell personal experience in logical sequence (LS-R1)
4. follow directions (LS-R2)
5. identify desert terrain and land characteristics, plant life, resources, and specific modifications to human dwellings.

Input
Read the Little Red Hen. Have the students recall the sequence of characters to prepare them for the variant, Armadilly Chili. Lead a discussion about the various types of deserts using the natural history book pictures. Fill out the first portion of the story chart. Read Armadilly Chili.

Modeling
Demonstrate how to fill out the second portion of the story chart: sequencing, theme, text-to-self. Give an example of text-to-self for reinforcement.

Check for Understanding
What will you do first? Work independently to fill out the chart.

Guided Practice
Circulate among the students as they fill out their charts and answer any questions.

Independent Practice - Homework
Talk to your parents about what you have learned regarding the desert.

Closure
Assessment: Review the children's t-charts. Go over the sequence and characters. Share theme ideas.
Bridge: Do you think you can remember the sequence of a story next time you read one? Why is it important to remember the order of events? Does it help you remember the plot and characters?

Modifications
Select less sophisticated texts or multiple language texts for the students less proficient with language-pair with a bilingual student.

Extentions
Repeat this process with other texts, including short stories, informational and other. Read longer, more detailed stories.

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