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BEFORE READING
Target Skill SKILLS
 STRATEGIES IN CONTEXT
Generalize
Prior Knowledge
Skills Trace
OBJECTIVES
Test
Selection Test,
Unit 4;
Benchmark Test Unit 4
Reteach/
Review
TE: 3.3 399b, DI•55; 3.4 59b, DI•54; 3.5 161; 3.6 407b, DI•56
PB: 3.1 133, 137, 138; 3.2 23, 27, 28, 36, 46, 56, 143,
147, 148
Practice
TE: 3.3 354–355, 3.4 60–61, 3.6 380–381
Introduce/
Teach
Target Skill Generalize
Target Skill Identify and make generalizations.
Target Skill Use prior knowledge to make generalizations.
INTRODUCE
Write the following sentence on the board: Cats are unfriendly. Discuss the sentence with the class. To encourage discussion, you might ask the following questions: Is this a true statement? How do you know? How many cats is the statement referring to? All cats? When would it be useful to make a broad statement about cats? (Responses will vary, but students should understand that this is a general statement about all cats that is not based on fact.)
Have students read the information on
p. 60. Explain the following:
  • A generalization is a broad statement or rule that can be applied to many examples.
  • To make a generalization, look at a number of examples and use what you already know to decide how they are alike, or mostly alike.
Use Skill Transparency 18 to teach recognizing and making generalizations.
TEACH
1 STRATEGY Use paragraph 1 to
model using prior knowledge.
Think Aloud MODEL The author says most rocks don't look the same. That's true. I've seen rocks that are different colors. I once saw a blue-gray rock that had a white ring around it.
2 SKILL You can use paragraph 1
to model making generalizations too.
Think Aloud MODEL To make a generalization about rocks, I want to ask myself what most
rocks have in common. What do I know about rocks? I know that most rocks are hard. I also know that all rocks are made by processes within the earth.
PRACTICE AND ASSESS
STRATEGY Students should use
specific details to describe rocks they have seen.
SKILL Students should record
what rocks have in common. Possible responses: Rocks are hard; rocks come in different colors, textures, and shapes; rocks can be used to make things, like jewelry and houses.
WRITE Have students complete
steps 1 and 2 of the Write to Read activity. You might consider using this as a whole class activity.
Monitor Progress
then… use Practice Book 3.2, p. 23 to provide additional practice.
If… students are unable to complete Write to Read on
p. 60,
Target Skill Generalize
Comprehension
Rocks in His Head
Strategy
 Prior Knowledge
Skill
 Generalize
LOOKING AT ROCKS
Generalization
Example
Example
Skill
Look for examples. Ask what they have
in common.
A general statement tells how some
things are mostly alike or all alike.
When you read, you can sometimes
make a general statement about what
you have read.
Generalize
Strategy: Here’s
where you can use
what you know to
help you understand better. Think of rocks
you have seen. What
do they look like?
Skill: This paragraph tells about different kinds of rocks. What
generalization can
you make? Ask
yourself, “What do
most rocks seem to
have in common?”
     If you like looking at rocks, you can get a
job working with rocks when you grow up.
Some scientists look at rocks to find out about
dinosaurs from long ago. Other scientists
look at rocks to find oil. Some rock scientists
help builders make safe buildings.
     Have you ever looked at rocks? Some
rocks look the same all over. They are made
of one thing. However, most rocks do not look
the same all over. Some have different colors.
Some have sparkles. Others have shiny spots.
The colors and sparkles and shines come from
the different materials mixed
together in the rock.
Active readers use what they already know
to help them understand what they read.
Use what you know and what you read to
form a general statement.
Strategy
Strategy: Prior Knowledge
Write to Read
1.
2.
Write one thing you already
knew about rocks that
helped you make your
general statement.
Read “Looking at Rocks.” Make
a graphic organizer like the
one above. Write examples
that tell about different rocks.
Then write a general statement
about what rocks are made of.
Others try to predict when an
earthquake will happen or a
volcano will erupt.
     Rocks can tell us many
things. Take a look!
1
2
 
   
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Beginning/Intermediate For a Picture It! lesson on generalizations, see the ELL Teaching Guide, pp. 120–121.
Advanced Before students read "Looking at Rocks," have them share what they know about rock collecting, how rocks are formed, and different kinds of rocks. They might describe rocks they have found and where they found them.
Target Skill Generalize Write the topic "Cats" on the board. Discuss attributes of cats with students, such as their appearance and personalities. Encourage students who have cats to tell about their pets. Write their ideas on the board. Then have students work in pairs to write several general statements about cats based on their discussion. Remind students that they are making broad statements about many cats, not statements about specific cats.
ELL
Strategic Intervention
Practice Book 3.2 p. 23
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