Geneva College

Read Aloud Lesson Plan

Emma Boyer Grade: 1st
I.Topic
To enhance students' engagement through conversation during a read aloud.
II. Common Core Standards
Anchor Standard 1.5 Speaking and Listening
Students present appropriately in formal speaking situations, listen critically, and respond
Intelligently as individuals or in group discussions.
III. Learning Objectives
1. TSWBAT use the new word, “patient.”
2. TSWBAT make predictions on what will happen next in the story.
3. TSWBAT identify the different emotions the characters feel throughout the story.
IV.Materials
Waiting is Not Easy by Mo Williams
V.
A. Introduction
The teacher will say to the students, “This is one of my favorite books to read and teaches an
important lesson. In this story an Elephant named Gerald learns a very important lesson, at the
end of the book. So pay attention and at the end of the story let’s see if you can tell me what
important lesson Gerald learns!”

Before I read the story, I will ask the students, “Who has had to wait for something they really,
really wanted before?” “Was it hard or easy? Put your thumbs up for easy and thumbs down for
hard.”

B. Lesson Development
After students have answered I will say, “Listen to the story to see what lesson Gerald learns and
who helps him when he gets upset.” Then I will read Waiting is Not Easy by Mo Williams and
ask the questions on the sticky notes throughout the story, questions are provided below.
Questions:
1. What is a surprise? (OMO)
2. What do you think the surprise is that Piggy has for Gerald? (OMO)
3. Is Gerald happy or upset that he has to wait for the surprise? (RT)
4. How do you know he is upset? (PIT)
5. Is piggy waiting calmly? (W&M)
6. What do you think piggy is pointing at? (OMO)
7. Do you think it was worth waiting for? (OMO)
8. Do you think Gerald was patient in the story? (PIT)
9. Was Piggy patient? (PIT)
 C. Closure
At the end of the story the teacher will say, “Who thinks they know the important lesson Gerald
learns?” After students give their answers the teacher will say, “This is a story about an Elephant
who learns the importance of being patient. Patients means waiting for something calmly, even
though we want it right away.” The students will demonstrate their understanding of the word
“patient” and how Gerald learned the importance of being patient for piggy’s surprise by drawing
a picture of how Piggy/Gerald learned/showed patience.”
VI.Assessment
1. The student will be informally assessed by using the word, “Patient,” in a sentence.
2. The student will be informally assessed by drawing a picture of how Piggy/Gerald
learned/showed patience, during the closure.
3. The student will be informally assessed by naming things that require patients
VII. Adaptations, Modifications, and Extension Activities
None.

VIII. Interdisciplinary Connections

None.

IX. Philosophy Connection

This lesson is great for students to show what they knew through answering my different
Q.A.R questions. This was a great way for me to evaluate what my students already understood
about patience and their ability to answer the different Q.A.R questions. It was a great moment
for me as a teacher to show respect to their answers and competence. Also, this lesson was a fun
way to get students engaged and interested in the story. The best way for students to learn is
through engaging activities and by having them make predictions, read parts of the story out loud
with me, like making the groan sounds was a great way to practice engagement. Lastly, my story
was on the right development level for my students. Piggie and Gerald kept them interested and
my questions ranged from “right there” all the way to “on my own” allowing for all students at
different levels to answer. Overall this lesson allowed my students to demonstrate what they
knew, interact and allowed for all students of a different reading level to participate with the
story I presented to them.

X. Self Evaluation
My read aloud went really well and the students were good listeners. I was a little
nervous at the beginning and stumbled over a few words because I was being observed by both
my co-opt and Mrs. Wargo. After a few seconds I relaxed and read the story with a lot of
expression and even had the student participate in making the groan sounds with me. They
answered all my questions very well and showed good participation. It was hard to hear some of
them so it required me to move a lot to hear each student. The students didn’t think Piggy’s
surprise was worth waiting for, but understood the word “patience” at the end of the story. The
students were able to use the word “patience” in a sentence, color a picture of Piggy and Gerald
being patient, and name things that require patience. I really enjoyed reading the story to the
students and watching them meet my teaching objectives.

Annotated Bibliography
Genre: Graphic Novel
Theme: Patience
Level: Primary

Willems, M.(2014). Waiting Is Not Easy! NY: Hyperion Books for Children, 57pages.

This graphic novel is about Piggie telling Gerald she has a surprise for him, but it is not there yet
so Gerald must be patient. Gerald is not good at being patient, while waiting for Piggie’s
surprise. Gerald ends up getting upset at Piggie for wasting time, but ends up seeing Piggie’s
surprise and realizes it was worth the wait.

Read Aloud Questions:

1. Where will the children sit?
Students will stay in their seats due to Covid-19.
2. If they are moving to another location, how will that happen?
N/A
3. How and when will I show the pictures?
I will show the picture using a projector onto the white board, so everyone can see the pictures.
4. How will I hold the book?
I will not be holding the book, it will be placed under the projector.
5. How will I introduce the book?
I will introduce the book by saying, “The teacher will say to the students, “This is one of my
favorite books to read and teaches an important lesson. In this story an Elephant named Gerald
learns a very important lesson, at the end of the book. So pay attention and at the end of the story
let’s see if you can tell me what important lesson Gerald learns!”
6. How much time do I expect to take?
I expect to take 15 to 20 minutes of class time.
7. Do I need to explain any words?
I will need to explain the word “patience” and “surprise” to students.
8. What student-friendly definitions will I use?
Patience definitions is “Patient means waiting for something calmly, even though we want it
right away.” Surprise definition is, “ Surprise means something that unexpectedly happened to
you.”
9. How Will I End Reading time?
I will end reading time by having students color a picture of how Gerald didn’t show patience or
how piggy did show patience, use the word patience in a sentence, and name things that require
patience. Then turn the lesson back over my cooperating teacher.
10. How will I send the students to their seats if not already sitting in them? N/A