Demographics

Teacher Name: Jennifer Briske

Date: November 11, 2014

Grade Level: 1st Small Group

Subject/Topic: Reading/Punctuation

School: Clinton Valley Elementary

District: Chippewa Valley Schools

Lesson Plan Title: Cecils Sentences

Michigan Common Core
RF.1.4.b - Read grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on
successive readings.
Rationale
During this lesson, the content standard of fluency and reading will be addressed. It is
important that students read the text at the appropriate rate and with the proper expression in
their voice at the appropriate times. Understanding of punctuation and use of special fonts in
text will also be addressed.
Outcomes
Students will be able to read the story Cecil the Caterpillar with the proper tone and
recognize punctuation marks.
Assessment/Evaluation
Informal Assessment
During the story: I will listen to the students as they read to hear how they are pronouncing the
words, pacing and tone of voice.
After/during the story: Asking key questions about the punctuation and specials fonts in the
text to check for understanding.
a) Why do you think the word this is smaller on page 2?
b) What do the little marks before the sentence and after the word leaf on page 3 mean?
What are they called? Who is talking? How do you know he is talking?
c) Point to the punctuation mark at the end of the last sentence on page 4. What is that
called? What does that mean? How do you read a word that has an exclamation mark at
the end?
d) Turn to page 5. What kind of mark is that at the end of the sentence? (.)

e) Turn to page 8. Why do you think the word this is written in big words and is darker
than the other words on the page? How do you think you should read a word like that?
Materials Needed

Book Cecil the Caterpillar by Jane Langford for each student and teacher
Round table
A chair for each student and teacher

Teacher Procedure and Development

Introduction
Greet students. Briefly reintroduce the story.
Methods/Procedures
1- Read the story Cecil the Caterpillar out loud and together as a group (both the
students and the teacher)
a. Prompt students to point the first word on the page and when to turn the pages.
Closure
1- Ask assessment questions about the punctuation marks and special fonts in the text.
2- Ask the students to close the book and tell them we will be meeting again to read the
book.
3- Send students to work on the daily five: either read-to-self or work-on-writing.
Technology Use
No special technology is used during this lesson
Accommodations/Adaptions
In order to accommodate different reading levels in the classroom, I will be working with a
small group of readers. This small group will give the kids an opportunity to read at their
specific level. I will be sure to make sure everyone is keeping up with the reading pace. I will be
sure that no one is reading to fast, or that someone isnt participating. Prompting the students
to point to the words and telling them to turn the pages together to wait for all of the students
to be ready will ensure that no one will be left behind.
Reflection

I think the lesson went well today. The students seemed to be engaged and interested in the
story Cecil the Caterpillar. This morning before the day started, I made a little note with the
page numbers on it and a reminder of what I wanted to ask. This gave me a better sense of
organization. I felt much more prepared for this lesson than I did for my last observation. For
my last observation I forgot what questions I wanted to ask throughout the story. For this
lesson, I had a punctuation mark next to the pages I wanted to stop at, and that was enough to
remind me where I wanted to take the lesson. One area I could have been stronger at is the
opening of the lesson. Im never really sure how to open up a reading group with a book that
weve already read. Ending the group is always a little gray as well. I told the girls that we would
be meeting again next time to retell the story, but other than that I wasnt sure how to close
out the lesson. Overall I thought todays lesson was a good experience. Each time I have the
opportunity to teach a lesson I feel more comfortable with the students.