Background+Knowledge

The lesson that I created is for the story __Weaving of a Dream__, which is one of the stories in the 5th Grade Traditional Tales Unit. The story is in the teacher manual //Fast as the Wind:Houghton Mifflin: The Literature Experien////ce//. It was published in 1993.

**Developing Background Knowledge ** **﻿ **



The story **//Weaving of a Dream//** is a folktale from China. To help enhance the students' comprehension of the story, I would include a podcast that would give or enhance the students' understanding of China.

Prior to showing the podcast I would point out to the students that we will be reading a traditional tale from China and the craft of brocade weaving is an important element of the story. However, weaving is one small aspect of China and its culture. I would encourage the students to think about what they already know about China (of yesterday and today) and turn to his/her partner and share what they know. After discussing, they should write on a shared white board what they know about China. Finally, we would share as a class.

**Best Practices**: Developing schema through class discussion and cooperative learning. This will help lead to better comprehension of the story. This activity also creates opportunities for student-teacher interactions.

Best Practices from the following website:

[]



**Standard:** Speaking and Listening Standard Grade 5: One

This is China [] (this about China) This is found on youtube.
 * Technology:Podcasts: **

**Developing Vocabulary**



A majority of the vocabulary words have to do with weaving since weaving is a strong component of the story. I would first display on the Promethean board the vocabulary words for the story using the Wordle. <img

src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/3957584/weaving_of_a_dream"

alt="Wordle: weaving of a dream"

style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd"></a>

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Using the Wordle I would check the students'understanding of the vocabulary words by saying each word and having the students give a thumbs up sign if they know the meaning of the word, a sideways thumbs up if they kind of know the meaning of the word and a thumbs down if they have no clue as to the meaning of the word. I typically have the students work in pairs or small groups so they can discuss the possible meaning of the word and share what they know. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Next I would share the podcast entitled The craftsmanship of Nanjing Yunjin brocade. This podcast is perfect! It explains the Chinese art of weaving brocades. This podcast will help the students better understand the vocabulary and will help with the conprehension of the story.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">The craftsmanship of Nanjing Yunjin brocade: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">After I would use a paper from teacher text and display it on the Promethean Board and continue with the vocabulary lesson.

**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Standard: **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reading Standard for Literature Grade 5: 4 and Language Standards 5: 4


 * <span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Best Practices: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">//Engage students in active learning experiences//
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">//Create opportunities for student-student interactions//
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Developing deeper understanding

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Best Practices from the following website: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Technology**: Wordle, podcast, Promethean Board

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Extensions**: Use of dictionary.com to show pronunciation, and/or work with synonyms, and anyonymns.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 200%;">Prereading **<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;"> and Reading of the folktale **: I will then use best practices and first preview the story with the students. The students in pairs will make predictions about what the story is about using the vocabulary that they have learned and by previewing the story by looking at the beautiful, watercolor illustrations in their text. They will share their ideas orally with their partner then they will write down their prediction in their reflective journal. The following day, for morning work, the students will answer a discussion question on this Wikki page. The question will basically ask them to make a prediction as to what the folktale is about and what the main problem is in the story. I will share the students' predictions before the students read the story.

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Standard**: Speaking and Listening Standard Grade 5: 1
 * <span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Please see discussion question #1 on the discussion section of this Wikki site. **

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Extension/Alternate Activity**: In addition or instead of having a discussion question on the Wikki I could also pose the question: Do you think the tale, **//Weaving of a Dream,//**is a tale of Reward/Punishment or Creation? Students will be told that they have to be able to defend their choice using what they learned when they previewed the story. Please follow this link: [] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Or I can create a new question at the following site : linoit.: [].

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">I can also use Survey Monkey instead of the discussion section or linoit.

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Best Practices**: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">The written response is constructed by students. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">It is a collaborative activity where students are sharing and discussing their predictions <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">I would provide, receive, and use regular, timely, and specific feedback <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">I would promote student involvement through engaged time

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Best Practices from the following website: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Technology**: computer, Wikki page, Promethean Board



<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">After the Folktale Unit is done, I would have the students write their own traditional tale. This is after the students have been instructed on how to write a simple story in Writing. The students will write their traditional tale, then they will have several options as to how they want to share their final product.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 200%;">Culminating Activity after Completion of Folktale Unit **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Their options include: **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Option #1: Creating a picture book: Students draw then paint the illustrations with watercolors. They use a computer to type out the text. Then, with teacher assistance, they will create a picture book. Finally, they will read their book to class. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Option #2: Make a digital recording of their folktale. Then I will play the recording. **I would also like to share their reordings on the web with parental permission.** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Option #3....They can come up with their own idea..with me encouraging the use of technology!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">**Standards:** Writing Standards Grade 5: 4, 5 & 6

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">The teacher will be a facilitator/partner in the learning process. I can offer assistance when needed, but the activity is definately student led.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Best Practices: **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Best Practices from the following website: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">[]


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Technology: **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">computer, taping devices, Apple i-pad

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