Curriculum / ELA / 4th Grade / Alternate Unit 5: Learning Differently: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key / Lesson 4
ELA
Alternate Unit 5
4th Grade
Lesson 4 of 23
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Describe how Mrs. Maxy deals with Joey and how her actions impact Joey's behavior.
Book: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos — Ch. 3
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
How does Mrs. Maxy deal with Joey? How do her actions impact Joey's behavior?
An example response to the Target Task at the level of detail expected of the students.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
Why does Joey not understand Mrs. Maxy's rules? Is he not following them on purpose?
Why does Mrs. Maxy ask Joey to sharpen the pencils? What happens when he tries sharpening the pencils?
Describe Joey and Mrs. Maxy's relationship. How does Mrs. Maxy feel about Joey and his behavior? How does Joey respond to Mrs. Maxy? Why?
Close read the sentence from page 28. "I could feel it going down my throat like a little white round superhero pill on its way to beat up all the bad stuff in me. Everyone said it would help." What does this statement show about Joey and how he feels about himself? Why?
Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
jittery
adj.
(p. 20)
very nervous
intentionally
adv.
to do something deliberately
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
Before reading this chapter, plan for a conversation on medicine and the role of medicine in treating ADHD.
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RL.4.3 — Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.4.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.4.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
RF.4.3 — Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.4.4 — Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RL.4.1 — Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RL.4.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
RL.4.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4—5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.4.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
W.4.10 — Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Lesson 3
Lesson 5
Explain what ADHD is and how having ADHD can influence a person's life.
RL.4.3
Describe how the author characterizes Joey and how the author develops the characterization.
Describe how Joey's mom and grandma deal with Joey and how their actions impact Joey's behavior.
Describe how Joey's visit to the special education class impacts his attitude about himself and if that was the school's intention.
Writing
Write a multiple paragraph essay to answer a unit Essential Question.
W.4.1 W.4.1.a W.4.1.d
Explain what Joey thinks is "normal" and if there really is such a thing as "normal."
Explain if Joey and Mrs. Maxy have the same perspective about what happened on the field trip and why.
RL.4.3 RL.4.6
Discussion
Analyze and compare Joey and Mrs. Maxy's perspectives and what they both need in order to change their perspectives.
RL.4.6 SL.4.1 SL.4.3 W.4.1
Write a multiple paragraph essay to show understanding of a text.
Explain what Joey's response to the scissors incident reveals about him as a character.
Explain how Joey's mom deals with his suspension and how her actions impact Joey's behavior and thoughts.
Predict if Joey will be able to follow Mom's advice at his new school and if his luck has really changed.
Explain how Mr. Ed deals with Joey and how his actions impact Joey's behavior and views about himself.
Explain how all the advice Joey gets makes him feel about himself.
Explain how Joey's mom earned her forgiveness and proved she can be a good parent.
Explain why Joey's mom doesn't think that Joey should meet his dad and if she is right.
Explain how Joey changed and what he learned about himself and life.
RL.4.2 RL.4.3
Discussion & Writing
Analyze what the author is trying to teach and the themes of the story by stating a claim and writing a well-structured essay to support the claim.
RL.4.2 SL.4.1 W.4.1 W.4.1.a W.4.1.d
Analyze and debate unit Essential Questions.
RL.4.2 SL.4.1 SL.4.3
L.4.1 L.4.2 W.4.1 W.4.1.a W.4.1.d
Assessment
Narrative Writing – 4 days
Write the next chapter of the book by using dialogue, description, concrete words and phrases, and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
W.4.3
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