Lessons & Units :: Willow 1st Grade Unit

Read-Aloud Lesson: Willow

Lesson Plan

Willow | AD620L

Willow
Learning Goal
Explain how Miss Hawthorn’s character changes as a result of her relationship with her student Willow, in order to discuss a theme of the story.
Necessary Materials
Provided:
  1. Detailed lesson plan
  2. Graphic organizer for guided practice
  3. Independent student worksheet

Not Provided:
Willow
 
  1. This lesson is a close reading of the entire text. So it’s important to engage students often, to enhance their learning. Here are two tips:
    •   When you ask the more complex questions from the lesson, ask students to “turn-and-talk” or “buddy-talk” before answering.

    •   Once you are deep into the lesson, instead of asking students every question provided, ask them to share with you what questions they should be asking themselves at that point in the text. This is also a great opportunity to use "turn-and-talk."
       
  2. Suggested teacher language is included in the lesson.

  3. We recommend you read the book once to your students, either the day or morning before teaching the lesson.

  4. This research-based, read-aloud lesson may seem long. Why do students need the lesson to be this way?
 

Part 1: Teacher Modeling and Questioning

 

Write the following student-friendly learning goal on the board, then read the learning goal out loud with the class.

We will be able to explain why the character of Miss Hawthorn changes.

 
Read pages 1 and 2 out loud, then stop. Page 2 ends with, “...as her clothing.” Show students the accompanying illustrations. If possible, always show students the illustrations on the pages you read throughout the lesson.
1.
Teacher asks: We just met a character named Willow. Where is she at the beginning of the story?
 
Students answer: Willow is in Miss Hawthorn’s art room. (“Willow is in the art room” is also an acceptable response. If students respond that Willow is at school, ask them which room at the school she is in.)
2.
Teacher asks: Willow is in Miss Hawthorn’s art room. What is the art room like?
 
Students answer (all of the following are acceptable):
  • The art room is cold and dark.
  • Everything is in its place.
  • There are no broken crayons in the art room.
  • The art room is full of students sitting silently and still in rows.
3.
Teacher asks: All of the students are sitting still, except for Willow. Willow twists around in her seat to look out the window. What does Miss Hawthorn tell Willow when she twists around in her seat?
 
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): Miss Hawthorn tells Willow to face forward.
4.
Teacher says: Miss Hawthorn’s moods are dark. That means she goes around in a bad mood, feeling angry or upset.
5.
Teacher asks: Think of what we have read about Miss Hawthorn so far. What is she like?
 
Students answer: Responses may vary but should reflect the text. For example:
  • Miss Hawthorn is strict.
  • Miss Hawthorn goes around in a bad mood.
 
Turn to page 4, but do not start reading yet. Page 4 ends with, “‘Pink stinks.’”
6.
Teacher says (displaying picture on page 4): Before even beginning to read this page, I notice the picture on it. It shows Miss Hawthorn hanging a painting on the board for her class. I see that she is frowning and that her eyes are narrowed, like this [teacher narrows eyes].
7.
Teacher asks: When people narrow their eyes and frown, how are they usually feeling?
 
Students answer (responses should resemble the following): They are feeling bad.
8.
Teacher says (models thinking): We can see that Miss Hawthorn is frowning. We know that her moods are dark and bad. Based on this information, I am going to conclude that she does not enjoy being an art teacher. As we read on, let’s see whether her moods get better or stay the same.
Read more
 
Read pages 3 and 4. Page 4 ends with, “‘Pink stinks.’”
9.
Teacher asks: What does Miss Hawthorn tell her students to paint pictures of?
 
Students answer: Miss Hawthorn tells her students to paint pictures of a tree.
10.
Teacher asks: All the students paint trees with brown trunks and green tops, except Willow. What does Miss Hawthorn do when she sees Willow’s painting?
 
Students answer (answers may vary but should resemble the following): Miss Hawthorn asks with a frown, “Whoever heard of a pink tree?”
11.
Teacher asks: Does Miss Hawthorn like Willow’s picture? Support your answer with information from the book.
 
Students answer (answers may vary and include the following):
  • Miss Hawthorn does not like Willow’s picture. She frowns after she sees it.
  • Miss Hawthorn does not like Willow’s picture. She asks, “Whoever heard of a pink tree?” after she sees it.
 
Read pages 5-7. Page 7 ends with, “Willow skipped off.”
12.
Teacher asks: What does Willow show Miss Hawthorn a picture of?
 
Students answer: Willow shows Miss Hawthorn a picture of a pink tree.
13.
Teacher asks: What does Miss Hawthorn do after Willow shows her the picture?
 
Students answer (all of the following are acceptable):
  • Miss Hawthorn turns away.
  • Miss Hawthorn scowls, or frowns.
  • Miss Hawthorn says, “Horrid little girl.”
14.
Teacher asks: How does Miss Hawthorn feel about Willow? Support your answer with information from the book.
 
Students answer: Responses may vary but should recognize that Miss Hawthorn’s feelings about Willow are negative. As support, students may mention such indications as Miss Hawthorn calling Willow a “horrid little girl.”
15.
Teacher asks: Think of everything we have read about Willow, Miss Hawthorn, and Miss Hawthorn’s art class. Why might Miss Hawthorn not like Willow?
 
Students answer: Responses may vary but should reflect the text. For example, students may respond that Miss Hawthorn dislikes Willow because Willow does not sit still in class or paint things the way they look in real life.
16.
Teacher says: We know that Miss Hawthorn does not seem to like Willow. We also have some ideas about why. As we keep reading, pay attention to how Miss Hawthorn treats Willow. At the same time, see whether you can figure out why Miss Hawthorn acts the way she does.
 
Read pages 8-13. Page 13 ends with, “...wanted her to.”
17.
Teacher asks: What are some of the things Miss Hawthorn says to Willow in class?
 
Students answer (all of the following are acceptable, as are paraphrases):
  • “Stop daydreaming, Willow!”
  • “You broke ANOTHER crayon, Willow?”
  • “Willow! Put that book away!”
18.
Teacher asks: What does Willow get in trouble for most of all?
 
Students answer: Willow gets in trouble for not painting things the way Miss Hawthorn wants her to.
19.
Teacher says: The author just gave us a big clue about what makes Miss Hawthorn upset with Willow. Willow does not paint things the way Miss Hawthorn wants her to. Let’s make sure we understand what that means.
20.
Teacher asks: What are some of the things Willow paints?
 
Students answer (all of the following are acceptable):
  • Willow paints a pink tree.
  • Willow paints a tree with blue apples.
  • Willow paints polkadot pigs.
  • Willow paints snow-ladies.
  • Willow paints purple cats.
21.
Teacher asks: What are some things Miss Hawthorn says when she sees Willow’s paintings?
 
Students answer: Different responses are acceptable, as long as they come from the book and answer the question. For example:
  • Miss Hawthorn asks, “Whoever heard of a pink tree?”
  • Miss Hawthorn says that there is no such thing as a blue apple.
22.
Teacher asks: Think of what Miss Hawthorn says about Willow’s paintings. Based on what she says, how does Miss Hawthorn want Willow to paint?
 
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): Miss Hawthorn wants Willow to paint things the way they look in real life.
 
Read page 14. Pages 14 ends with, “...at home.”
23.
Teacher asks: Who brings a present for Miss Hawthorn?
 
Students answer: Willow brings a present for Miss Hawthorn.
24.
Teacher says: We just read that Miss Hawthorn was not in a hurry to leave school before winter vacation. We also read that no one was waiting for her at home.
25.
Teacher asks: Why might Miss Hawthorn not be in a hurry to leave school?
 
Students answer: Responses may vary but should recognize that Miss Hawthorn does not want to go home. An especially perceptive response will recognize that Miss Hawthorn feels lonely.
 
Read page 15. Page 15 ends with, “...a long time.”
26.
Teacher asks: What is the gift that Willow left for Miss Hawthorn?
 
Students answer: The gift is Willow’s art book.
27.
Teacher asks: What does Miss Hawthorn do with the art book after she opens the package?
 
Students answer: Miss Hawthorn sits holding the book for a long time.
28.
Teacher asks: Why might Miss Hawthorn sit holding the art book for a long time? Before you answer, think of what we just read about Miss Hawthorn. No one is waiting for her at home. No one ever gives her gifts. Now Willow has given her a present.
 
Students answer (responses may vary): Miss Hawthorn might sit holding the art book because she is happy to have received it as a gift.
29.
Teacher says: Willow is the only student who brings Miss Hawthorn a present. After Miss Hawthorn opens it, she holds the art book for a long time. I wonder whether Willow’s present will make a difference in how Miss Hawthorn feels about Willow.
 
Read page 16. Page 16 ends with, “Miss Hawthorn doodled.”
30.
Teacher says: Doodled means “drew without a plan for how the drawing should look.” For the first time in her life, Miss Hawthorn drew without a plan.
 
Read pages 17 and 18. Page 18 ends with, “...what he saw.”
31.
Teacher asks: What is Miss Hawthorn doing with wet paint?
 
Students answer: Miss Hawthorn is spreading it across a page with her fingers.
 
Read pages 19-21. Page 21 ends with, “...liked her present.”
32.
Teacher asks: What does Willow wonder as she falls asleep?
 
Students answer: Willow wonders whether Miss Hawthorn liked her present.
33.
Teacher asks: Think of what Miss Hawthorn did after opening Willow’s present. Does Miss Hawthorn like her present? Support your answer with information from the book.
 
Students answer: Responses may vary as long as they are supported by the book. For example, students may respond that Miss Hawthorn likes Willow’s present because she holds it for a long time after opening it.
 
Read pages 22-27. Page 27 ends with, “...Miss Hawthorn said.”
34.
Teacher asks: What does Miss Hawthorn say to Willow?
 
Students answer (paraphrases are acceptable): Miss Hawthorn says, “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here, Willow!”
35.
Teacher asks: What are some of the things that Miss Hawthorn used to say to Willow?
 
Students answer: Responses may vary as long as they come from the book. Examples include the following (paraphrases are acceptable):
  • “Stop daydreaming, Willow!”
  • “You broke ANOTHER crayon, Willow?”
  • “Willow! Put that book away!”
36.
Teacher asks: How is what Miss Hawthorn just said to Willow different from what she used to say to Willow?
 
Students answer: Responses may vary but should recognize that Miss Hawthorn is now saying something nice to Willow instead of something mean.
37.
Teacher asks: Miss Hawthorn sounds very different from the way she was before winter vacation. She also looks very different in this picture [displaying illustration on page 27]. Based on this picture, how does Miss Hawthorn feel now? Explain your answer.
 
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following):
  • Miss Hawthorn is happy. Her smile in the picture shows that she is happy.
  • Miss Hawthorn is in a good mood. She looks like she is waving at Willow and the other students with the hand holding the paintbrush.
 
Finish reading the story.
38.
Teacher asks: The students grab the paintbrushes, as Miss Hawthorn asks. How do they paint this time?
 
Students answer: They paint just the way they want.
39.
Teacher asks: Does Miss Hawthorn’s character change between the beginning and the end of the story? Support your answer with information from the book.
 
Students answer: Explanations may vary, but students should recognize that Miss Hawthorn’s character changes. At the beginning she is mean to Willow and strict about what her students paint. At the end she is nice to Willow and lets her students paint whatever they want.
40.
Teacher asks: Why does Miss Hawthorn’s character change between the beginning and the end of the story? Support your answer with information from the book.
 
Students answer: Responses may vary, as long as they are supported by the book. For example, students may respond that Miss Hawthorn’s character changes because of Willow’s gift. The gift made Miss Hawthorn nicer because someone was nice to her.
41.
Teacher asks: Does Miss Hawthorn enjoy being an art teacher more at the end of the story than she does at the beginning? Support your answer with evidence from the book.
 
Students answer: Responses may vary but should recognize that Miss Hawthorn enjoys teaching art more at the end of the book than at the beginning. Students may cite such evidence as her welcoming words to Willow in the classroom, the picture of her smiling, and her willingness to let students paint the way they want to rather than yelling at someone for not painting in a particular way.
 

Part 2: Guided Practice and Discussion

 
For this oral lesson, it is suggested to have the completed graphic organizer on the board with the answers concealed. After students provide a correct answer, reveal the corresponding answer on the graphic organizer.
1.
Teacher asks: What is Miss Hawthorn like at the beginning of the story?
 
Students answer (responses may vary and include the following):
  • Miss Hawthorn is mean.
  • Miss Hawthorn is strict.
  • Miss Hawthorn is very organized.
2.
Teacher asks: What is Miss Hawthorn like in the middle of the story, during winter vacation?
 
Students answer (responses may vary and include the following):
  • Miss Hawthorn is sad.
  • Miss Hawthorn is lonely.
  • Miss Hawthorn is happy when she gets Willow’s gift.
3.
Teacher asks: What is Miss Hawthorn like at the end of the story?
 
Students answer (responses may vary and include the following):
  • Miss Hawthorn is nice.
  • Miss Hawthorn is creative.
  • Miss Hawthorn is happy.
4.
Teacher asks: What is Willow like at the beginning of the story?
 
Students answer (responses may vary and include the following):
  • Willow is creative.
  • Willow does not sit still in class.
5.
Teacher asks: What is Willow like in the middle of the story?
 
Students answer (responses may vary and include the following):
  • Willow is nice.
  • Willow is curious.
Read more
6.
Teacher asks: What is Willow like at the end of the story?
 
Students answer (responses may vary and include the following):
  • Willow is surprised.
  • Willow is creative.
7.
Teacher asks: How much does Miss Hawthorn enjoy unrealistic art at the beginning of the story? Unrealistic art shows imaginary things, like pink trees and blue apples.
 
Students answer (responses may vary but should resemble the following): Miss Hawthorn does not enjoy unrealistic art at the beginning of the story.
8.
Teacher asks: How much does Miss Hawthorn enjoys unrealistic art in the middle of the story? Think about her doodling and finger-painting.
 
Students answer: Miss Hawthorn enjoys unrealistic art a lot in the middle of the story.
9.
Teacher asks: How much does Miss Hawthorn enjoy unrealistic art at the end of the story?
 
Students answer: Miss Hawthorn enjoys unrealistic art a lot at the end of the story.
10.
Teacher asks: How much does Miss Hawthorn enjoy teaching art at the beginning of the story?
 
Students answer: Miss Hawthorn does not enjoy teaching art at the beginning of the story.
11.
Teacher asks: In the middle of the story, during winter vacation, Miss Hawthorn does not teach art. Look at the third row of the graphic organizer and how her enjoyment of art changed. If Miss Hawthorn had been teaching in the middle of the story, would she have enjoyed it?
 
Students answer (responses may vary and include the following):
  • Yes, Miss Hawthorn would have enjoyed teaching art.
  • There is not enough information in the story to tell.
12.
Teacher asks: How much does Miss Hawthorn enjoy teaching art at the end of the story?
 
Students answer: Miss Hawthorn enjoys teaching art a lot at the end of the story.
 
After the answers for the graphic organizer have been completed and discussed with the class, ask the following three extension questions.
 
Teacher asks: Think about Miss Hawthorn’s relationship with her student Willow. Did Miss Hawthorn enjoy art more because of Willow? Explain why or why not, using information from the book.
 
Students answer: Students should conclude that Miss Hawthorn’s enjoyment of art increased, citing the specific changes in her character from the text that resulted from specific interactions with Willow. For example, students may respond that receiving the art book from Willow made Miss Hawthorn enjoy art more, especially unrealistic and messy art.
 
Teacher asks: Did Miss Hawthorn enjoy teaching art more because of her relationship with Willow? Explain why or why not, using information from the book.
 
Students answer: Students should conclude that Miss Hawthorn’s enjoyment of teaching increased, citing the specific changes in her character from the text that resulted from specific interactions with Willow. For example, students may respond that after receiving the art book from Willow, Miss Hawthorn became a nicer teacher and let her students paint how they wanted.
 
Teacher asks: Did Miss Hawthorne become a better artist during the story? Explain why or why not, using information from the book.
 
Students answer: Students could argue that there is not enough evidence in the story to know whether Miss Hawthorn was a good or bad artist in the beginning. Alternatively, students could argue that Miss Hawthorn became a better artist because she learned from the book she was given and practiced a lot during winter vacation. They could also argue that she became better because her attitude improved and because she began to appreciate the color and creativity in art.
 

Part 3: Student Independent Practice

 
Read each question out loud to your students and have each student complete the worksheet independently. For questions 5 A) and 6, you can have students draw their answers, answer orally, or write their answers, depending on your students’ progress. If you have them write their answers, you may want to write the word(s) on the board for them to copy. Question 7 is a class discussion question.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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User Comments

Love this story and the lesson was very well done. I am a homeschool mom of three and these lesson plan questions made thingas a lot easier for me. My daughter loved the story and learned a lot! Thanks.

Submitted by L.H.T on 1/10/17

I just checked Willow out of the media center for shared reading; glad to find plans to accompany the book. Thank you.

Submitted by slharrin on 3/9/15