Book Title: Knock Knock, My Dads Dream for Me

Author: Daniel Beaty

Your Name: Alyssa Lehman
Lesson Overview

Issue Confronted: Loss/absence of a parent

Objectives/Assessment
o Students will decide on the theme of Knock Knock and apply it to
their own lives.
Formative: I will listen closely to their responses during the
Grand Conversations to make sure they have an
understanding of the theme.
Summative: I will ask students how they can take the
theme from this book and apply it to their own lives. We
will discuss goals they each have for themselves, and they
will creatively put 4 of their goals onto their paper cube,
along with a way they can reach their goals. I will grade the
cubes using a rubric, and their work will be displayed in the
classroom.
Related State Standard:
o 3.3.4 Determine the theme or authors message in fiction and
nonfiction text.
Management of:
o Time: 55 minutes
o Materials: Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty; Pieces of 12x18 paper
with cube layout drawn on (20); Markers; Crayons; Colored
pencils
o Space: Rug space during read-aloud; desks/tables for cube
creation
o Behavior: I will use positive reinforcement. I will tell the class
even though they are working together, this is a group effort. If
everyone is on task and works diligently, I will add one marble to
the jar. If, by the end of their time working, both marbles have
been added to the jar, each student will receive a Brave BRAVO
to turn in.
Differentiation and Culturally-Responsive Practices
o The creative aspect of this lesson gives students opportunity to
engage in appropriate learning for their individual cognitive
abilities
o Students who struggle will have the support of their peers during
the Grand Conversation to develop their thoughts.

Building Background Knowledge

I will tell them about my sister, Amanda, and her journey of pursuing a
career in singing. The odds were stacked against her because she had
problems with her vocal chords (which are ESSENTIAL to singing) and
she wasnt able to sing to her full ability. But she sought out help and
got assistance, and now she is back on track to reaching her goal of
being a professional singer. *PROBABLY ELABORATE MORE ON THIS
DURING LESSON*

Activating Background Knowledge: Have any of you ever been in a situation

that seemed almost impossible but you found a way to get through it?
Purpose: I am going to read you a story about a little boy who lives with his
mom and dad, but then one day his dad doesnt come home. So this little
boy grows up without his dad and has to learn things he could have learned
from his dad on his own. I want you to observe the main character and think
about what the big idea, or THEME, of this story is.
Essential Questions: How can we reach our goals despite the obstacles we
may have?
Constructing Understanding

Read Aloud: I will read the story to them using different voices for
each of the main characters.
For each step, include:
o Students will listen to the story and respond in a grand
conversation
o Response initiates: I will begin with questions to illicit their
natural responses and then probe the natural responses to
explore the theme of Knock Knock.
How did you like the story?
What did you like about it?
What didnt you like about it?
What do you think the problem was in the story?
What big idea can we take away from this story?
What do you think the THEME of this story was?

Using New Understanding

Having an understanding of the theme of Knock Knock, students will

color in their own cubes (made from 12x18 paper) with the goals they

set for themselves and then cut out and form the cube. On each face
will be:
1. Students name
2. Theme of Knock Knock
3. Goal
4. Goal
5. Goal
6. How student can reach one or all of those goals.
Closure

Students can share their cubes with the class make sure to share
goals and how to reach those goals.