Pushing Up the Sky
Group Time
Reinforce Comprehension
SKILL AUTHOR’S PURPOSE Have students explain what
the author’s purpose for a piece of writing is. (the reason an author
writes something) If necessary, review the meaning and provide a
model. The author’s purpose is the author’s reason for writing. It may
be to persuade you, to inform you, to entertain you, or to express feelings
or ideas. Different parts of a piece of writing may have different purposes.
Read aloud pp. 3–4 of the Leveled Reader The Elk Hunters. The main
idea of these pages is how important elk were to the Snohomish.
The author’s purpose in writing these pages is to inform us of that. Then
read aloud pp. 5–6. This part of the book tells a story. The author’s
purpose is to entertain us.
Read aloud p. 310 of Pushing Up the Sky. Ask students to tell what the author’s purpose was for writing this part of the selection. (to inform) Ask students to explain their answers.
BEFORE READING Have students retell what has happened in the selection so far. Ask: How would you summarize what you’ve read? Reread p. 312. Model how to summarize the main idea and details. The narrator explains that the sky was very close to the earth. Everyone who speaks has a problem because of the low sky. I’d sum up these ideas by saying the sky was too close, and people had problems because of it. Remind students to summarize main ideas and details as they read the rest of Pushing Up the Sky. STRATEGY Summarize
DURING READING Follow the Guiding Comprehension routine on
pp. 314–319. Have students read along with you while tracking print,
or do a choral reading. Stop every two pages to ask students what
has happened so far. Prompt as necessary.
- What did the seven chiefs do to find a solution to their problem?
- How was the main problem of the story solved?
- What happened after the problem was solved?
AFTER READING How does this selection show how people explain nature? Reread with students as needed for comprehension. Tell them that tomorrow they will read “Catch It and Run!”, a myth that explains why some animals look the way they do.
Extend Comprehension
SKILL AUTHOR’S PURPOSE Ask students how an author can
have more than one purpose for writing. Have them use the first part
of Pushing Up the Sky as an example. (On p. 310, the author informs
us about the Snohomish people. On p. 311, the author explains how
to put on the play. On p. 312, the author entertains us with a story
about the sky.)
STRATEGY SUMMARIZE Have volunteers summarize what
they’ve read so far of Pushing Up the Sky. Have other volunteers
give constructive feedback about each summary. Remind students
that a good summary is brief and gives only the main idea and the
most important details.
BEFORE READING Have students recall what has happened in the
selection so far. Remind them to identify the author’s purpose or
purposes and to stop and summarize, if necessary, as they read the
remainder of the selection.
CRITICAL THINKING/CREATIVE THINKING Have students read
pp. 314–319 independently. Encourage them to think critically and
creatively. For example, ask:
- Why do you think the Snohomish people explained the stars
this way?
- What other ways might you use to explain the appearance of stars in the sky?
AFTER READING Have students complete the Strategy Response
Log activity (p. 318). Then have them collaborate to write a short skit
that explains the stars in the sky in another way. Give students an
opportunity to meet with you as they plan their skit. Invite them to present
their skit to the class.
AudioText
Pushing Up the Sky, pp. 314–319
Pushing Up the Sky, pp. 314–319