Scott Foresman Reading Street

For alternate Leveled Reader lesson plans that teach

Generalize, Activate and Use Prior Knowledge,
and Lesson Vocabulary, see pp. LR19–LR27.

Rocks in His Head
Group Time

Leveled Reader Fun with Science!

BEFORE READING Have students create three-column charts with the labels Zoology, Archeology, and Astronomy. This book tells a lot about hobbies that are connected to science. As you read, look for unique interests that people with these hobbies have. Record them in your chart.

DURING READING Have students follow along as you read pp. 3–9. Then let them complete the book on their own. Remind students to add facts to their charts as they read.

AFTER READING Have students compare the facts on their three-column charts. Point out that information about what people do with their unique interests will help them as they read tomorrow’s selection, Rocks in His Head.

Build Background

DEVELOP VOCABULARY Write the word
mentor and ask students to provide personal
context. (My baseball coach is my mentor.) What did you learn from your mentor? (to never give up; to try hard) Repeat this activity with the word treasures and other words from the Leveled Reader Fun with Science! Use the Concept Vocabulary Routine on
p. DI•1 as needed.

Independent Extension Activity

NOW TRY THIS Assign “Now Try This” on
pp. 22–23 of A Gem of a Tale! for students to work on throughout the week.

Leveled Reader A Gem
of a Tale!

BEFORE READING Recall the
Read Aloud "Catching the
Fire." How did Philip Simmons
use his unique interest to
make a name for himself?
(He was patient and perfected
his blacksmithing skills so he
could making a living doing

what he liked.) Today you will
read about birthstones. As you
read, think about the gemcutters
who cut these gemstones, and the interests they might have.

CRITICAL THINKING Have students read the Leveled Reader independently. Encourage them to think critically. For example, ask:

If you collected birthstones, how would you display them?
What makes gemstones so valuable?

AFTER READING Recall the birthstone for March (aquamarine). Share with students that aqua is a root word that means “water.” Have students make lists of words with this root as well as with the root word geo, which means “earth.” Have students meet with you and discuss the selection and the lists they made. Have them tell how knowing the meaning of the root can help them learn the meaning of the word.