Ms.

Lam
First Grade
Spotswood Elementary
Sierra Brown
Read Aloud Lesson Plan Outline on:
In November written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Jill Kastner
Context Of Lesson:
Read Aloud's are an important instructional strategy for teachers to incorporate in the curriculum and schedule almost
every day because it is a great tool for children learning to read and developing language. Read Alouds are the best
opportunity for vocabulary and comprehension instruction because the variety of words used and the diagrams and pictures
students can look at and evaluate, supporting their comprehension of the story. Choosing a book that will hold the students
interest is a key piece in Read Alouds as well, if students are interested in the book, they will become more excited and eager
to learn how to read themselves. Students can also learn a lot of content from Read Alouds, when students are able to
comprehend the story, whether it is nonfiction or fiction, they are understanding and learning the information provided by the
book. Since my first grade class was learning about the seasons, I found a great book that depicted what happens in
November with both an intriguing story and detailed pictures to match. The vocabulary the students learned and the
knowledge they gained from comprehending the story allowed them to understand more about November and the change
from fall to winter, and they then applied these skills first hand, which allowed me to assess their understanding of the lesson.
Learning Objectives:
Understand:
o The student will understand that you can learn about different topics through reading and understanding
nonfiction books
Know
o Students will compare and contrast what happens in November to the rest of the year
o Students will know why the story was chosen to help learn more about the current unit
o Students will know the differences between who, what, when, where, why and how questions
Do
o Students will apply knowledge from what they learned in the book to create a project about the topic
o Students will relate previous experiences to what is read
o Students will identify the topic or main idea, and make predictions about the content
Collection of Assessment Data:
RELATED VIRGINIA STANDARDS
1.9 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of fiction and nonfiction.
1. a) Preview the selection.
2. b) Set a purpose for reading.
3. c) Relate previous experiences to what is read.
4. d) Make predictions about content.
5. e) Ask and answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions about what is read.
6. f) Identify characters, setting, and important events.
7. g) Retell stories and events, using beginning, middle, and end.
8. h) Identify the topic or main idea.
MATERIALS NEEDED
The book In November by Cynthia Rylant
Worksheet with the two questions that the student can write about what they do and eat in November and a space
where they can illustrate what they have written
PROCEDURE
Preparation of the learning environment
Plan for taking turns during the activity

Ms. Lam
First Grade
Spotswood Elementary

I will ask the discussion questions to the entire group but call on different students to answer
each time
After the reading and discussion are over, each child will have the opportunity to create their own
page about November during this time I will walk around the classroom asking children personal
questions about what they are writing and drwawing, giving them a chance to explain their work
to me directly
Introduction of the activity to the children
Start off by asking the students what they have been learning about in class?
They have been learning about the seasons
Talk about what season is currently happening, how they know, and what season do they predict is
coming next?
Then ask: What do you all think happens in November?
Implementation of the activity

After page with the trees with no leaves: Have you seen any trees start losing their leaves yet?

o
o

After page with the birds leaving: Why do you think the birds are leaving? Where do you think theyre going?
After page with the treasure berries: Why does the author say the berries are treasures? This is a type of
metaphor, which is a way to describe it by comparing it to another thing
After page with farm animals sleeping: Do you know what it means to shiver? Can you show me how you
would shiver?
After the smell of food page: What holiday in November do you think they are making all the food for?
Thanksgiving is the big celebration in November where you get to spend time with family and eat tasty food
like turkey!
After people sharing food page: What do you eat on thanksgiving?
After eating dinner together: Do you celebrate thanksgiving with your family?
After page about winter: How long do you think winter is? What do you like doing during winter? Winter
usually lasts from the beginning of December until the middle of March. What is your favorite season?

o
o
o
o
o

o
o
o

Closure and cleanup

At the end of the book: What did you learn about November? What do you like about November?
Then ask the students to move to the table and hand out the worksheets for them to complete
Hand out the worksheet and have them answer
o What do you like to eat in November?
o What is your favorite thing to do in November?
o Include a picture of what you like to eat or do in November on the worksheet!

PLANS FOR DIFFERENTIATION

WHAT COULD GOR WRONG WITH THIS LESSON AND WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT