This lesson is designed for special education students in grade 3 who need to write book reports. Students will read a book, create a story map as a class, and then construct book reports using the Toondoo.com website. This lesson is designed to be completed over the course of 3 ELA periods.

 

Instructional Goals:

·         3^rd grade self-contained ELA students will be able to recognize story elements in the book Harry in Trouble by Barbara Ann Porte.

·         3^rd grade self-contained ELA students will be able to construct a book report in comic book form.

 

Learning Objectives: 

 

• Using a graphic organizer (story map), students will fill in the main story elements of the story together as a class.

 

• Using the completed graphic organizer, students will use the toondoo.com website to choose appropriate setting, characters, action, and text to summarize each story element on their story maps.

 

Motivational Goals:

• Students will build confidence in their ability to use information skills.
• Maintain students’ interest in reading and conveying information in a written format.
• Encourage students’ use of and confidence in technology use to support and enhance literature.

Materials Needed:

 

• Computers with internet access
• Printer
• Smart Board or other type of computer projector 
• Story map
• Easel with chart paper
• Samples of completed Toondoobook reports
• Copies of the book Harry in Trouble by Barbara Porte or other age appropriate book.
• Grading rubric
• Self-assessment form

Introduction:

1. Students will be asked by the teacher librarian about what books they have read in class recently.

 

2. After students have volunteered a few answers, the ELA teacher will choose one particular story to focus on that has clear story elements in it (setting, characters, problem, solution, and ending)- Harry in Trouble by Barbara Ann Porte.

 

 3. The teacher librarian and ELA teacher will ask the students the following question: “Suppose you had to write a book report about Harry in Trouble. Besides writing a report, what are some other ways that we can show what we know?” Both the TL and the ELA teacher will field answers. The ELA teacher will jot down options on chart paper.

 

 4. The TL will explain to the students that they will be making a book report in comic book form using the website toondoo.com. The TL will pass around comic strip books made by other students. These will be available for students to use as a reference throughout the project.

 

Body:

1. The students will be given a copy of the story map.

 

2. As a class, the ELA teacher will review the story elements that are listed on the story map.

 

3. As a class, they will work together to fill in the story map. Both the TL and the ELA teacher will ask questions and write down responses using the Smart Board. Students will fill in their own charts during this time as well.

 

4. After all students have completed the story maps, they will be ready to use the internet to access toondoo.com

 

5. Using the Smart Board, the TL will give a demonstration of how to create a comic strip using toondoo.com. After completing one comic strip, the class will create another one, but this time the students will be asked to volunteer to help create it on the Smart Board.

 

6. After the demonstration, students will each logon to the computer and begin making their own comic strip book report using the completed story map as their guide. The TL, ELA teacher, and teaching assistant will help students as needed.

 

7. Students will print their completed comic strips and have the option of presenting and/or reading their comic books to the class.

 

 

8. With student permission, the comic strips will be displayed in the case outside the library entrance. 

 

Students will be told that they will be assigned another book report in the near future—this is one format option that will be available for them to use again. 

 

Learning Assessment Method(s):
1. Grading rubric
2. Self-assessment (How Did I Do?) form