Lessons & Units :: Character 3rd Grade Unit

Lesson 2: Using Evidence to Describe a Character

Lesson Plan

Burnt Toast on Davenport Street | 670L

Burnt Toast on Davenport Street
Learning Goal
Use evidence from the text to describe a character.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Direct Teaching/Guided Practice Example Chart
Not Provided: Burnt Toast on Davenport Street by Tim Egan, chart paper, markers, lined paper

  • Teacher Modeling

    will begin reading aloud Burnt Toast on Davenport Street by Tim Egan, stopping after the page where Arthur and Stella meet the crocodiles on the street. I will model my thinking as I describe Arthur and use evidence from the text to support my description. (Direct Teaching and Guided Practice Example Chart is provided below in Teacher and Student Materials.)

  • Think Check

    Ask: How did I describe Arthur? Students should respond that you used the pictures and words from the text that describe or support your description of Arthur.

  • Guided Practice

    will finish reading Burnt Toast on Davenport Street, describing Arthur and supporting our descriptions with evidence from the text. (Direct Teaching and Guided Practice Example Chart is provided below.)

  • Independent Practice

    will write a short paragraph that describes Stella and support your description with evidence from the text.

    TIP: Are your students comfortable with paragraph writing? If not, be sure to outline the paragraph format on chart paper or the board before students complete the Independent Practice.

Build Student Vocabulary absurd

Tier 2 Word: absurd
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story When Arthur is making breakfast, a fly talks to him and tells him he will grant him three wishes if he does not kill the fly. Arthur says to the fly, “‘This is absurd.’”
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Absurd means unreasonable or ridiculous. When Arthur said that he thought it the fly’s offer was absurd, he meant that it seemed ridiculous that a fly could grant a wish.
Students repeat the word Say the word absurd with me: absurd
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts It was absurd when the girl thought that she could walk to the moon. It was absurd that the boy thought he could lift a car.
Students provide examples What is something that is absurd? Start by saying, “Something that is absurd is _________________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? absurd
Additional Vocabulary Words tormenting, furious

Build Student Background Knowledge

Pause while reading page 9, when Arthur Crandall makes his third wish. Explain that a "tropical" island is in the tropics, a region near the equator. Point to a map of the world, and indicate the equator and the surrounding tropics. Explain that in the tropics, the weather has a rainy season and a dry season. A tropical climate is known for hot, wet air and colorful animals and plants, which Arthur might encounter, if he gets his wish.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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

User Comments

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Submitted by pfagan8115_1449848 on 5/31/15

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Submitted by Deana Peterman on 12/22/12