READ 30280

Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading

Lesson Plan Outline Format

Your Name: Bryan Wilson
Text Title (APA): The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Christopher Paul, C. (1995). The Watsons Go to Birmingham:1963.
Yearling.
Text Complexity:
Quantitative level:
Interest Level- 6th to 8th grade
Reading Level- 5.5
Lexile measure- 1000L
DRA- 50
Guided Reading Level- U
Qualitative evaluation of text:
The layout of this book is in form of a chapter book. Each page is filled
with a few paragraphs and dialogue of what the characters are interacting
within the historical fiction book. This book gives a purpose to the students by
educating the lifestyles of the African-Americans during the Civil Rights
movement. In this book some language features are slang words and also
historical context. This books knowledge demands are that you understand
the topic of the Civil Rights Movement or recognize this important event.
Reader Characteristics:
For Sam, reading this Historical Fiction can truly benefit his learning
experience. Since Sam struggles with text- based comprehension, making
predictions, and making inferences. With the use of making inferences in the
activity in this lesson plan, Sam will be able to work on the things he struggles
with when reading text. Sam also works well in small groups, so he will be
able to work with other students that are on the same reading level, who may
have different comprehension skills.

READ 30280
Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading

Focus of Instruction:
One comprehension skill that will be taught during this lesson is making
inferences. This text is about a family living through the Civil Rights
Movement, and each chapter is a story about the characters family. By
learning how to make inferences, it will challenge some students like Sam,
while others work at another pace.
Objective(s):
Students will be able to make
inferences by reading between the
lines in books.

ELA CCSS Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.1
Quote accurately from a text when
explaining what the text says
explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.

List of materials:
Graphic Organizer (& writing utensil)
A copy of The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Lesson Procedures:
Before:
At the beginning of the lesson I will explain what we will be doing
today, which is making inferences. By handing out the graphic organizers, the
students will be able to see what the comprehension activity is in todays
lesson. I will then display an example to the whole class by making an
inference from the front cover of the book. First, you look at the cover/text and
write what you know by the picture or context. Then write what you know
from experience or prior knowledge. After that the students will then infer on
what the author is saying indirectly in the text.
During:
During this activity students will work in small groups and assist one
other if a student is struggling with choosing a part of the text to infer. For
their first activity they will read the first chapter of The Watsons Go to
Birmingham. After reading the chapter, students will decided what part of the
chapter they would like to infer. While this is happen I will walk around the
classroom the see if any small groups need assistance. Students are able and
encouraged to work with one another, but if they need the teachers assistance,

READ 30280
Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading

then they ask the teacher.

After:
After the students have made their inference, they will be able to keep it
in a log folder so they are able to refer back to it when the story answers the
inference. The students will then discuss their inferences in their small group,
so they can compare what they chose to infer. Now students will be able to
make inferences easier, like Sam. Students will be encouraged to always look
for question that the author leaves out, that you are able to question using your
knowledge and the text of the book.
Method of Assessment:
I will be able to assess the students on how well they did with this
activity by having them turn it in for a check up. This check up will allow
me to look at what the students are inferring and I will be able to see if there
are parts of the text that the students all choose.
Criteria for Success:
In the students responses/ answers to this activity I will look to see if
they understand how to make an inferences by having them do at least 2
examples for each chapter. Students must also be able to participate in group
work by discussing their inferences.
(n.d.). Teachers Pay Teachers. Graphic Organizer: Making Inferences. Retrieved December
11, 2014, from http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Graphic-Organizer-MakingInferences-385002

READ 30280
Teaching Literacy
Signature Assignment: Comprehension Lesson Plan for Guided Reading