Learning to Play the Game The author tells a story about a brother and sister who have just moved to a new town The story focuses on their adjustment to a new group of friends and a school environment At first, things seem difficult, but soon they become more comfortable SUMMARY LESSON VOCABULARY blunders complex fleeing rustling civilization envy inspired strategy INTRODUCE THE BOOK Discuss with students the title and the author of Learning to Play the Game Ask students to think about the title and what the book will be about Discuss how the phrase “play the game” can be used to mean a real game or (metaphorically) to mean the “game” of life Ask: What you think the children in this story might need to learn? INTRODUCE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR BUILD BACKGROUND Discuss with students what they know about moving from one place to another Ask: Have you moved to a new town? What were some of the differences between your new town and your old community? Discuss how it is sometimes difficult at first to make new friends Invite students to look at the cover of the book Discuss what you can tell about the book just from looking at this illustration Ask: What can you guess about how these children feel? Where are they? Discuss what students might already be able to predict about the story they are about to read Invite students to examine pages 10-11 Discuss what the illustrations show Ask: What is the bigger girl doing with the younger girl? What the labels mean? PREVIEW 72 5.4.1 DRAW CONCLUSIONS ANSWER QUESTIONS READ THE BOOK Have students set a purpose for their reading that includes looking at how different characters behave in similar situations Suggest that they watch for, and compare, how Pete and Ella react to their new situation SET PURPOSE STRATEGY SUPPORT: ANSWER QUESTIONS Invite students to find illustrations in the book that would help them answer questions the teacher might ask Discuss why some illustrations provide better clues than others about what is going on in the story COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Look at the illustrations What are some of the things Ella and Pete will see in their new neighborhood? (They will see unfinished houses and a park.) PAGES 4–5 Based on the illustration, what conclusions can you draw about what is happening to Pete and Ella? (They are waiting to be chosen for teams to play a game.) PAGE Look at the final paragraph on the page What does this paragraph suggest about the theme of the book? (The theme is about adjusting to new situations.) PAGE 23 Why you think the author may have included a page explaining what goes on at festivals in different towns? (The author is trying to suggest a way to become more comfortable in a new place.) PAGE 24 Learning to Play the Game 16911_LRD_TG_072-073 72 10/20/05 10:21:46 AM REVISIT THE BOOK READER RESPONSE Possible response: They have a new attitude about their move because they are making friends Questions will vary Possible response for answers: ask Mom, read books, talk to friends Possible response: simple, easy, basic Possible response: assembly and lunch routines, location of important places in school Invite students to examine the photograph on page 24 Discuss what is going on in the photograph Ask: What kind of festival is this? Why would people have this kind of festival? EXTEND UNDERSTANDING RESPONSE OPTIONS Invite students to write a paragraph about the first thing they would to get comfortable in a new place Ask: What skill or talent you have that could help you make friends? What kind of club or activity could you join to get to know new people? WRITING Show students a picture of someone from another culture or country that they are not familiar with Discuss how it might feel for that person to move to the United States Ask: What you think would be some of the challenges this person might face if he or she were to come to the United States? What information could he or she share that Americans would not know about? Show students a picture of Americans who have moved to another country Discuss the differences Americans might find Ask: What should an American learn about before his or her move that would make it easier? Skill Work TEACH/REVIEW VOCABULARY Use one of the vocabulary words in a sentence that shows its meaning in context, such as “I felt envy when my best friend got new sneakers before I did.” Then invite students to give another sentence that uses the vocabulary word Repeat this process with each vocabulary word TARGET SKILL AND STRATEGY Remind students that when we draw conclusions, we read with the idea that we will make a decision based on our reading Suggest that as they go through this book, they try to draw conclusions about how Ella and Pete are going to adjust to their new home DRAW CONCLUSIONS ANSWER QUESTIONS Remind students that answering questions about their reading helps them to remember important information Suggest that as they read, they think about questions the teacher may ask about their reading and try to take notes about what their answers will be Ask: How does answering your teacher’s questions about a book help you to draw your own conclusions about what is happening in the story? ADDITIONAL SKILL INSTRUCTION THEME Remind students that when we read to find the theme, we are looking for the “big idea” of a story Discuss how some books are about the challenges that people face Other books are about getting older or learning to get along with others Suggest that as they read, students watch for clues that will help them determine the theme of the book SOCIAL STUDIES CONNECTION Suggest that students go to the library to look for books about friendship Have them choose sections of the books that are meaningful to them to share with their classmates Learning to Play the Game 16911_LRD_TG_072-073 73 73 10/20/05 10:21:47 AM Name Learning to Play Draw Conclusions • When we draw conclusions, we make a decision based on what we have read We use details and facts to help us Directions Reread the following excerpt from Learning to Play the Game and answer the following questions “Hi,” said Ella The sudden silence made her nervous “Ummm we just moved in I’m Ella, and this is my brother Pete Pete, say hello to everyone.” “Ummm, hello?” was all Pete could say Ella could tell that her brother was as nervous as she was! A tall girl with blond hair nodded “OK, Ella and Pete,” she said “I’m Tiffany We’re going to play Two Bases Want to play?” “Sure,” Ella nodded “Is it like baseball?” What conclusion can you draw about how well Pete and Ella know the other children? Which detail helped you reach the conclusion for question #1? What conclusion can you draw about who the leader is among the group of children? Which detail helped you reach the conclusion for question #3? © Pearson Education 5 What conclusion can you draw about Ella’s knowledge of the game Two Bases? 74 16911_LRD_TG_074-075 10/20/05 10:23:36 AM Learning to Play Name Vocabulary Directions Review the meanings of these words blunders mistakes civilization society; a group of people who follow rules complex complicated; not simple envy jealousy fleeing running away inspired hopeful; interested rustling shuffling; moving in a noisy way strategy approach Check the Words You Know blunders civilization complex envy fleeing inspired rustling strategy Directions Read the sentence Then write your own sentence using each vocabulary word I hope I didn’t make too many blunders on my spelling test Our civilization may end if we keep polluting Understanding how budgets work is a complex idea I felt envy when I saw their new car © Pearson Education 5 The mouse was fleeing as the cat chased it Hearing your new song, I became inspired to write my own song There was a rustling in the leaves as my cat came near Our team needed a new strategy if we were going to win the game 75 16911_LRD_TG_074-075 2/3/06 10:27:29 AM ... the books that are meaningful to them to share with their classmates Learning to Play the Game 16 911 _LRD _TG_ 072-073 73 73 10 /20/ 05 10 : 21 :47 AM Name Learning to Play Draw Conclusions • When we... draw about Ella’s knowledge of the game Two Bases? 74 16 911 _LRD _TG_ 0 74- 0 75 10 /20/ 05 10 :23:36 AM Learning to Play Name Vocabulary Directions Review the meanings of these words blunders mistakes... leaves as my cat came near Our team needed a new strategy if we were going to win the game 75 16 911 _LRD _TG_ 0 74- 0 75 2/3/06 10 :27:29 AM