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A Lesson on The New Student Save As Favorite

A Lesson on The New Student Grade: Grade 4
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Monica Sosnowski
Lesson Length: 45 minutes
Keywords/Tags: new student, language arts, grade 4
Lesson Description: This lesson involves comprehensive reading. Students will read the passage, answer vocabulary and comprehensive questions. Then they are to write a paragraph about how they would feel if they were the main character.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4–5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
 
     
     
 
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.

The New Student

It was morning. I heard the alarm clock in my mother’s room. 

Then I heard my mother. She said, “Time to get up. It’s a great day.” 

I was afraid. I wanted to stay in bed. It would be my first day at a new school. 

“Clap, clap” I heard my mother clapping. “Come now. You need to have breakfast.” So I got up. I went to the kitchen. We had a big breakfast. But I wasn’t hungry. I was too worried.

My mother said, “How do you feel?” 

I said, “I’m sick. I should go back to bed.” 

She laughed. “You know it will be ok. It’s just a new school. You have changed schools before.” 

“But they will all know each other. It’s November. They have been in the same classroom since September. They will all have friends already.” 

“I’m sure your teacher will make sure you are fine. Get dressed and get ready to go. We want to be there on time.” 

So I did. Then we walked four blocks to the school. “Hurry,” my mother said. Outside the school children were playing. I didn’t know anyone. 

Then the bell rang. Everyone went inside. My mother said, “Remember you are in room 203. Remember your teacher’s name is Miss Brown.” 

I walked into the building. I walked up the stairs. Children were talking with each other in the hallway. Then I got to room 203. 

“Hello,” a woman said. “You must be Michelle. I’m Miss Brown. Welcome to 203.” She said, “Sit right here next to Annette.” 

I sat down. Annette said, “Hi. I’m glad you’re here. Miss Brown told us you were coming. I want to be your first friend.” 

I was surprised. Everyone was being friendly. 

“Class, we have a new student today. Michelle Washington is here. She has moved here from Detroit. Let’s all help her feel welcome.” 

The whole class said, “Welcome, Michelle!” 

I felt much better. When we started the lessons, Annette helped me find the pages. She showed me what we were doing. It was the same kind of math we did at my old school. The reading book was different. It had new stories in it. But it looked like the old book. 

At lunch time, we lined up. Annette said, “Get in line with me. Stay with me so I can show you where everything is.” Then at lunch, Annette said, “I’m Michelle’s first friend. Michelle, here are your second and third new friends, Tania and Joan.” 

So we ate lunch together. I liked my new friends a lot. That afternoon, we had free reading time. I read books with my new friends. I was glad to have friends. 

Then at the end of the day we got homework. Then we left the school. My mother was waiting outside. I ran up to her smiling, “You were right. My teacher helped me. And I have friends already.” My mother smiled. It was a great day. 

 
     
     
 
Task 1: Vocabulary Activity (20 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word then choose the sentence in which the word is used correctly.

Vocabulary Questions

Word/Phrase: Moral | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 What is the \"moral\" of the story?
A. Main character *
B. Setting
C. Where the characters are from
D. Lesson or message behind the story

Which sentence correctly uses the word \"moral\"?
A. The moral of the story is to think positively and hope for the best. *
B. The moral of the story is Michelle.
C. The moral of the story is Detroit.
D. The moral of the story is a new school.

Word/Phrase: Detroit | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 "Class, we have a new student today. Michelle Washington is here. She has moved here from Detroit." Based on this sentence, Detroit is most likely...
A. where Michelle moved to.
B. where Annette moved to.
C. where Michelle moved from. *
D. where Annette moved from.

Select the sentence in which "Detroit" is used correctly.
A. Detroit serves great lunch.
B. This summer, my family and I visited Detroit, a city in the state of Michigan. *
C. Detroit is a state near Wisconsin.
D. The astronaut got on a rocket ship and traveled to the planet of Detroit.

Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Discussion Activity (40 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.

  Topic Title Replies

Message What is the theme of the story?
What is the story about? What is the moral behind it?
Sent on: Oct 11, 2013 by: Monica Sosnowski
0

Message What excuse did Michelle give so that she did not have to go to school?
Why do you think she said that?
Sent on: Oct 11, 2013 by: Monica Sosnowski
0

Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (40 points)
Instructions: Try to imagine that you are at a new school or recall a time that you were the new kid at school. Write a paragraph about how it feels to be in the shoes of the main character. Would you be excited or nervous?
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.10, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1,
 
     

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