Differentiated Reading Plans

Book: Heroes in Action

Story: The Big Birthday

Unit/Week/Level: U5 W3
Benchmark

Theme Question: What qualities does a hero have?

Focus Question: Can an ordinary person be a hero?

Comprehension Skill: Recall and Retell

Comprehension Strategy: Making Predictions

Vocab. Strategy: Using Descriptive Language

Word Study: Prefixes mis, dis, inter, over, semi, pro

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

Vocabulary Words: language, fountain, handsome, impressive, frill, wreath, ashamed

Introduce: Differentiated Vocabulary Words use vocabulary cards (During morning work have children cut
the strips apart. During reading groups students should bring them back to small group) Discuss definitions
and how they have heard the words used.
Introduce Story: Explain that holidays birthdays are celebrated differently in different countries and even
Review Text Structure: This story is anarrative
Review Authors Purpose: to tell a story
Introduce: Ask students to revisit the focus question. How is Mama a hero? Ask students to examine their
prediction maps. Do they want to make any changes to their predictions?
Ask: Why did the author call the story The Big Birthday? What made this birthday different from all of her
other birthdays? (Her father came.)
Introduce: Have students recall characteristics about her mama? What descriptive words could we use to
describe her mama? What characteristics make her a hero? Have students use post-its to record
Review: RACER steps to responding to open-ended questions
Introduce: Open ended question: Do you think Mama was a hero? Why or Why not? Use at least 2 examples
to support your answer.
Write: Guide students to use RACER response form.

Writing Prompt Directions:

Do you think Mama was a hero? Why or Why not? Use at least 2 examples to
support your answer.
B

U5 W3