If You Made a Million
Below-Level Reader
Davis Buys
a Dog
Unit 1 Week 4
REALISM AND FANTASY MONITOR AND FIX UP
LESSON VOCABULARY amount, check, earn, expensive, interest, million, thousand, value, worth
SUMMARY A boy finds a way to earn money, save money, and keep track of it so that he can buy what he wants more than anything in the world, the puppy of his dreams.
INTRODUCE THE BOOK
BUILD BACKGROUND Discuss with students whether they have ever earned an allowance or been paid for chores. Ask: Have you ever saved money for something you really wanted?
PREVIEW/USE TEXT FEATURES Ask students how the title gives clues to what is happening. Then point out that the illustrations give clues to what actions Davis will take in the story.
TEACH/REVIEW VOCABULARY To reinforce the vocabulary, divide students into two groups. Students in one group will act as bankers; the others will act as customers. Guide students to create a brief dialogue using the vocabulary words.
Organize riddle games by asking students to write a riddle about one of the vocabulary words on a card with the answer on the opposite side. For example,
This word starts with the letter ______.
TARGET SKILL AND STRATEGY
REALISM AND FANTASY Remind students that a
realistic story is about something that can happen, and
fantasy is about something that can't
happen. As they read, ask students to pinpoint sentences that seem realistic.
MONITOR AND FIX UP Tell students that
monitoring their own comprehension as they read is a way to make good sense of a text. As they read, suggest that students note anything they do not understand. They can ask for help, look up a word, or go to an outside source to clear up any confusion.
READ THE BOOK
Use the following questions to support comprehension.
PAGE 3 Davis reads about dogs every night. Is this realistic or fantasy? (realistic, because it could happen)
PAGE 9 Why is it good that Davis opens a bank account?
(A bank account gives you interest, so Davis will earn more money.)
PAGE 11 What is this story about? (how Davis earns and saves money
to buy a dog)
TALK ABOUT THE BOOK
READER RESPONSE
- Responses will vary.
- One: ten quarters=$2.50. Two: seven dimes=70 cents.
Three: eleven nickels=55 cents.
Four: thirty-seven pennies=37 cents.
Five: $2.50 + 70 cents + 55 cents + 37 cents=$4.12
- the money paid for the use of someone else's money
- Possible response: I would do chores for my family and neighbors.
RESPONSE OPTIONS
WRITING Suggest that students write about one thing that they want
to buy. Could they realistically pay for the item? Why or why not?
CONTENT CONNECTIONS
SOCIAL STUDIES Explain to students that a
need is
something essential. A
want is something you would
simply like. Ask: For Davis, was the dog a need or a
want? Have students make a list of things they would
like to have. Have them sort them into needs and wants.
L.R. TOC
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