Date: June 29, 1999

Grade Level(s): 1, 2

Subject(s):

• Language Arts/Reading
• Science/Biological and Life Sciences

Description: Using a trade book (Orca Song by Michael C. Armour) address reading comprehension.

Goals: Help the student:

1. Identify the relationship that exists between the story and themselves.
2. Use critical thinking skills to address issues in the story.

Objectives:

1. Identify what students know about whales.
2. Use title and pictures to make predictions to what the story will be about.
3. Read to determine and fully understand what happens in the story.
4. Cooperatively work in groups.

Materials:

• Armour, Michael C.  (1994). Orca Song. Soundprints Corp Audio; ISBN: 1568990693
• Markers / Crayons
• Pencils/Pens
• Drawing Paper
• Notebook Paper

Day One

1. Introduce the book by determining what the children already know about whales.
2. Let the children know that this book will be about a special type of whale.
3. Look at the title and pictures.
4. Have the children make predictions as to what may happen in the story.
5. The teacher records student responses on the board.
6. Then students (or teacher) may read the story.
7. Before reading, remind the students that as the story is read they are checking to see if the predictions were correct.
8. Once the story is read, a quick review is given with some critical thinking questions such as:
   Why is it important that the Orca whale pup finds his family?
9. The students then write and draw in their journals as if they were the lost Orca pup.

1. The students share the ideas in their journal through small group discussion.
2. The groups come back together as one group and discuss how they feel the Orca pup has changed as a result of this experience.
3. The teacher records students' comments on board.

1. Quick Review - where students orally summarize story.
2. Essay question - quiz is then administered.

1. Oral large group discussion about how this situation changed the Orca pups life.
2. Written essay question / quiz.