ReadWorks.org

Before the Lesson:
Read Chasing Vermeer, Chapter 1: “Three Deliveries” – Chapter 2: “The Letter is Dead”

Activation and Motivation

I will show students the cover of Chasing Vermeer, explaining that the main mystery in this book is centered on a painting created by a famous artist named Johannes Vermeer. We will read the “Who Was Vermeer?” Reading Passage to learn background information about the artist and the painting style he is known for. Instruct students to carefully follow the steps for Textual Analysis to read the passage and answer the questions that follow. Be sure to have students discuss and prove their answers after they are done.

Before Reading

1. Read the passage title, introduction, and any captions.
2. Look at any pictures or photographs.
3. Read the first two sentences only.
4. Stop! Brainstorm what you think the text is going to be mostly about.
5. Read and label the Textual Analysis questions with the Concepts of Comprehension^©.
6. Do not read the answer choices. Spend only a few seconds labeling each question with the appropriate Concepts of Comprehension^©.

During Reading

1. Read the whole section of text that was assigned.
2. As you read, underline or highlight any information that may help you answer the questions. If you are doing TA with a book, use sticky notes to flag information.
3. Have students answer questions independently.
4. Use the process of elimination for any questions for which you are not positive of the answer.

After Reading

1. Prove all of your answers by underlining or copying evidence from the text. If you are doing TA with a book, use sticky notes to flag information. Go back and check your work. Do your answers make sense? Can you prove each answer?
2. Share your answers with the group. Use text evidence to explain why you think an answer is correct.
3. Guidance for Questions 5 and 7:
   • For Question #5, highlight answer choice “B” as a possible answer. Have students discuss why someone would have chosen “B” as their answer. Identify answer choice “B” as a good answer but not the best answer. Stress the importance of carefully reading all of the answer choices before choosing the best answer.
   • For Question #7, ask students to think about who they believe is a better artist and why. Ask two students with differing opinions to present their opinions, using evidence from the text to support their answers

TIP: