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Read Chapters 1-2 (Students will read Chapter 3 during Independent Practice); Complete Student Packet Worksheets for Chapters 1-3

Invite students to participate in a game of Balderdash. Read aloud the following word to the class: Chrononaut. On a slip of paper, have students write down their guess of the word’s definition.

When the class has finished, collect the slips of paper and choose three student definitions. On chart paper or the board, write the student definitions along with the correct definition for the word. (Chrononaut: someone who travels through time.) Then, ask students to choose the correct definition. 

Repeat the game with the words nanotech and gaggle. (Nanotech: technology of tiny things; Gaggle: a group of geese.)

will explain that science fiction authors often use scientific or unknown words in a text to make the reader figure out the meaning of these words. A good reader pays careful attention to the words used in a science fiction text to gain a better understanding of the book he or she is reading. It is up to the reader to use context clues to figure out the meaning of unknown words in a sci-fi text.

I will examine the words I do not know the meaning of in Chapter 1 of Only You Can Save Mankind by using context clues. I will use sticky notes to flag unknown words as I read. Think aloud: "The first unknown word I come across is 'manual.' As I come across a word I am not familiar with, I will read the sentence the word is used in very carefully. 'There was nothing in the manual about messages.' (p. 7) I will also read the surrounding sentences to find context clues to figure out the meaning of this unknown word. The previous sentence tells me that a message was on the screen, even with the Pause button pressed. The sentences that follow 'manual' tell me that Johnny looked through the pages for information about the messages. The next sentence tells me that Johnny put down the book. By using these context clues, I can figure out that the word 'manual' means 'a book that gives you information or answers.'” Note: Unfamiliar words in Chapter 1 can include, but are not limited to: viruses, piracy, joystick, massive, prompt. When I think I have figured out the meaning of the word, I will write its meaning on the sticky note.

To further develop my understanding of the unfamiliar word, I will use it in a new sentence: With the help of the manual, I was able to put my bike together without any problems.

Ask: "How can I figure out the meaning of unknown words in a science fiction text?" Students should respond that you can use context clues to figure out the meaning of an unknown word. You should read the sentence the word is used in very carefully, and you should read the sentences surrounding the word to get an understanding of the word’s correct definition.

will figure out the meaning of a few unfamiliar words that appear in Chapter 2 of Only You Can Save Mankind. We will use sticky notes to flag these words. To figure out the possible meaning of these words, we will reread the sentence the word is used in. Next, we will reread the sentences that come before and after the word.

We will write the unknown word on our Context Clues Chart. As a class, we will think about the possible meanings of this word and write a new sentence using the word. Note: Unknown words can include but are not limited to: bombardment, hail, ceremonial, projections.

will read Chapter 3 of Only You Can Save Mankind. You will use sticky notes to flag 4 to 6 unknown words as you read. You will use context clues to figure out the meaning of the word. You will record the unknown word on your Unknown Words and Context Clues page in your Student Packet, and you will follow directions on the chart to fill it in. (See pp. 4-5 in the Student Packet.)

will come back together to share some unknown words and their meanings that we have identified in Chapter 3 of Only You Can Save Mankind. We will read aloud one sentence for each word. We will continue to use context clues to figure out the meaning of unknown words we might come across as we read.