The Pot That Juan Built

In the classroom/library:

Introduction
GRADE LEVEL: 1st - 2nd grade
SUBJECT: Writing
OVERVIEW: In this lesson, students will be read a story while learning about the history of the Mata Ortiz People. The will employ metacognition by breaking up in small groups and writing a poem utilizing one of their favorite rhymes. They will also consider what they have learned about Juan Ortiz while creating their own pots using some of his famous techniques.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this lesson is to learn about a valuable piece of southwestern literature as well as learning about the culture of the Casas Grande people.

Outcomes
Students will:
1. Be familiar with Juan Ortiz and his techniques and skills in creating his art.
2. Practice what they have learned about Juan and the Casas Grande people while making pots of their own.
3. Write a poem using the same rhyming style as the author who wrote this story.

Standards
Writing
PO 1. Participate in a group discussion, based on a literature selection, that identifies the: a. character(s) b. setting c. sequence of events (See R00-S2C1)
PO 2. Participate in a group discussion in response to a given piece of literature that connects: a. text to self (personal connection) b. text to world (social connection) c. text to text (compare within multiple texts) (See R00-S2C1)
PO 1. Write a narrative that includes:
a. a main idea based on real or imagined events
b. character(s)
c. a sequence of events
PO 2. Participate in writing simple poetry, rhymes, songs, or chants.

PO 1. Write a response to a literature selection that identifies the:
a. character(s)
b. setting
c. sequence of events
d. main idea
(See 1-R2-C1)
PO 2. Participate in a group response to a given piece of literature that connects:
a. text to self (personal connection)
b. text to world (social connection)
c. text to text (compare within multiple texts)
(See 1-R2-C1)

ELL Standards
Writing.
The students will express in writing his or her own thinking and ideas. (ELL-W-1)
identify, describe, and apply conventions of Standard English in his or her communications. (ELL-W-2)
Listening and Speaking.
The students will:
express orally his or her own thinking and ideas. (ELL-L&S-1)
identify, describe, and apply conventions of Standard English in his or her communications. (ELL-L&S-2)
listen actively to the ideas of others in order to acquire new knowledge. (ELL-L&S-3)

Resources
Book: The Pot That Juan Built by Nancy Andrews-Goebel, illustrations by David Diaz

Materials
"Clay" for pots. (White play dough) Markers for decoration. Paper and pencils for students to write their own rhyme in small groups. Snack for end of the lesson. Other books related to this subject for children to read if they are finished with projects and still have more time.

Process

1. Introductory set
I will explain to the students that the lesson will be centered around learning about a new culture-the Casas Grande People as well as the people of Mata Ortiz, and ask if they have heard of these people or learned about this part of Mexico before. We will find Mexico and Mata Ortiz on the globe. I will write on the board the new terms that they will learn. I will ask how many of them use these terms in their home. Then, I will explain to them that they will be able to write in small groups and have an opportunity to create a pot like Juan's pot.

2. Objective/purpose
Students will:
1. Be able to explain Juan Ortiz and his expert pottery-making skills.
2. Practice rhyming skills learned from the book while writing their own stories set to a rhyme.
3. Utilize some of the techniques learned from Juan Ortiz to create their own pot.
4. Be able to find Mata Ortiz (Mexico) on the globe.
5. Be able to answer questions about the Casas Grande people.

3. Input
The first day I will teach the vocabulary that the students will need to learn to understand the story completely. I will also explain to the children what story we will be reading and take them through a walk through of the illustrations. I will also read the right side of each page in order to teach the students about Juan Ortiz and the techniques he has used to create his art.
The second day I will read the story to the children. We will talk about the way that the writer uses the rhyme "The House That Jack Built" to write his story. We will break up into small groups to write a story using one of our favorite rhymes.
We will then list the steps that Juan took to create his pots and write them on the board together. We will each have an opportunity to meld our own "clay" into a pot like Juan's and decorate them. The pots and writings will be posted on the website.
4. Modeling
I will model the steps that Juan took in making his pots while the children ask questions.
5. Check for Understanding
I will ask the children if they understand what we have learned so far, asking individual questions while making sure to keep eye contact and keeping them engaged.
6. Guided Practice
I will walk around and observe each group while they work, making sure to ask questions about their comprehension of the objective. I will answer their questions as well as ask my own to check for understanding.
7. Independent Practice - or Homework
They will write their rhyme in small groups and work on their own pots individually following the steps. Their homework will be to tell their parents about the Casas Grande people and Juan Ortiz.
8. Closure
I will review what we have learned about Juan Ortiz, the story and it's rhyme, and the Casas Grande people. I will question the children about the vocabulary we have learned as a group. I will remind them that we are learning about the Southwest because we live here and that it is important to learn about our environment. I will bridge using Angel's feedback about the Southwest play they will see on Friday.

Assessment
Students will be given a graphic organizer asking simple questions about whether or not they liked the way the story was read and what they learned from the lesson. They will be asked to draw a picture of what they have learned about the Casas Grande people or Juan Ortiz.

Extensions/Modifications
To extend this lesson, the students will be asked to review new terminology learned along with the new technique for writing. To further extend this lesson, the children will be encouraged to learn more about the Casas Grande people as well as Juan Ortiz.

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