Learning Differently: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key (2020)

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 5

4th Grade

Lesson 4 of 23

Objective


Describe how Mrs. Maxy deals with Joey and how her actions impact Joey's behavior.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos  — Ch. 3

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Mrs. Maxy deal with Joey? How do her actions impact Joey's behavior?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • 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?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


jittery

adj.

(p. 20)

very nervous

intentionally

adv.

(p. 20)

to do something deliberately

Notes


Before reading this chapter, plan for a conversation on medicine and the role of medicine in treating ADHD.

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Common Core Standards


  • 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).

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
L.4.5
RF.4.3
RF.4.4
RL.4.1
RL.4.4
RL.4.10
SL.4.1
W.4.10

Next

Describe how Joey's visit to the special education class impacts his attitude about himself and if that was the school's intention.

Lesson 5
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