Lessons & Units :: Plot 1st Grade Unit

Lesson 1: Identifying Problems and Solutions in the Story

Lesson Plan

Groundhog Stays Up Late | 570L

Groundhog Stays Up Late
Learning Goal
Identify and describe the problems and solutions throughout a story.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Example Chart for Direct Teaching, Guided Practice Worksheet, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: Groundhog Stays Up Late by Margery Cuyler, chart paper, markers

  • Teacher Modeling

    will identify the meaning of plot as the problem and solution in a story. I will explain that many stories have more than one problem and solution. I will chart the problems and solutions in a book previously read in class. (Example chart is provided.)

  • Think Check

    Ask: "How did I identify the problems and solutions in the story?" Students should respond that as you read you thought about all the things that were going wrong in the story and how each one was being fixed or solved.

  • Guided Practice

    will listen to the first half of Groundhog Stays Up Late by Margery Cuyler and identify and draw a picture of one problem and solution in the text as a class. (Example chart is provided.)

  • Independent Practice

    will listen as I finish reading Groundhog Stays Up Late. You will draw a picture and/or write two more problems and solutions in the story. (Independent Practice Worksheet is provided.)

Build Student Vocabulary shelter

Tier 2 Word: shelter
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story The bear said, “Well, don’t expect us to give you shelter when it snows.”
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Shelter is a place that offers protection. When the bear said, “don’t expect us to give you shelter,” he meant a safe place away from danger.
Students repeat the word Say the word shelter with me: shelter.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts A house gives people shelter from the weather and from danger. A bus shelter is a place where people are kept dry and warm in the rain and wind while they are waiting for a bus. A beach umbrella gives shelter from the sun. An animal makes a hole in the ground or goes into a cave seeking shelter from the weather and safety from other animals.
Students provide examples Tell about when you might want to look for shelter. Start by saying, “I look for shelter when ________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? shelter
Additional Vocabulary Words storm, breezes

Build Student Background Knowledge

Before reading Groundhog Stays Up Late, share with your students the story of Groundhog Day. On February 2nd, a groundhog comes out of its hole, where it was hibernating or staying for the winter. If the groundhog sees its shadow, then it will still be winter for another 6 weeks. If it does not see its shadow, spring is around the corner. Just as we make predictions when we read using evidence, many believe that a groundhog uses its shadow to predict the weather. How accurate is the groundhog in predicting the end of winter? Scientists think that groundhogs are wrong more often than they are right.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

(To see all of the ReadWorks lessons aligned to your standards, click here.)

User Comments

These have been great for my first grade class. I am so happy to see good activities online to help out in the classroom.

Submitted by lfrench_1812983 on 12/4/16

I have had a difficult time finding material finding material for 1st grade on this topic. I am looking forward to using the lesson with my first graders.

Submitted by keva.harris_1302246 on 3/10/15