Dear+Mr.+Blueberry

=Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James=

*Students link from the class portaportal and review the five parts of a letter, creating one step by step. The laptop will need to have a printer networked to it.
=== * Letters to Arthur (website/portaportal link using computer): Students use the drop down menu to write a letter to the Arthur characters. (They can also access the “Letter Writing Helper” if they need a quick review on the format). ===

=== 3. (//Phonics//): After introducing the sound of /oo/, have students make up silly sentences that have as many rhyming words with the sound as possible in their reading journals. (Extra Support: Provide a list of /oo/ words for struggling readers). ===

4. (//Phonics//): Students sort words with ue and oo (headers: blue, spoon) using spoon cut outs and bowl headers.
=== 5. (//Word// //Building//): Students use letter cards to do word building and blending activities with paint chip word families, consonants, and “oo” and “ue” strips. === === 6. (//Reference/Writing/Science//): Provide informational materials about animals. Students research an animal of their choice and create a booklet about an animal he/she would like as a pet. Provide magazines that contain animal photos, as well as construction paper, colored pencils or crayons, writing paper, stapler, and glue for students to create illustrations for their story. (Struggling writers: provide a format for students to fill in, such as would make a good pet because __.) ===

=== 7. (//Phonics//): Students go on a hunt for words with the vowel sound /oo/ and use highlighter tape (decodable reader would be best for this). They then record the words they’ve found, using them in sentences and illustrating them. (“I went to a zoo and saw a kangaroo.”) ===

=== 8. (//Fluency//): Students create finger puppets (template) and reread the story, using the puppets to “act out” the different parts, making sure to use expression, reading as a character might say words. Provide popsicle sticks, blank paper, pictures for whale, Mr. Blueberry, Emily, and glue. (Extension: Students videotape their “performance.”). ===

// The World Under the Water // : Students create an underwater scene using paints, markers, colored pencils, magazine pictures, etc.
===// Justin’s Alligator // : Students write a menu of the food Justin fed to Honey. Provide a template that has the headings “Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks” to use in the menu. They need to use details from the story to decide on a menu Honey would enjoy. === ===// Saving Ben // : Students write short poems about Ben’s adventure from Ben’s point of view, describing how he felt when he was trapped and again when he was reunited with his mother. Students illustrate their poem. ===

=== As a class, read “A Whale Scale” on pg 90-91 of the reading text. Use tape to measure out 30 meters (about 99 feet). Would this animal fit in a pond? (Go outside in the hallway, or weather permitting, outside. If outside, make sure to trace a whale shape around the tape for a visual). ===

**__ During Reading: __**
=== *Be sure to pause and think aloud questions you have as you read to the students. Students can help you predict the answer, but be sure to point out any answers as you come across them in the story. After reading, discuss with students any unanswered questions and ask where you could find the information to answer them. ===

=== *Use the Letter Generator from Read/Write/Think (portaportal link) [] with students using laptops. They will need to be able to print from this site to see their letter. ===

*Review with students using the “person” on the five parts of a letter.
=== *Use the website (portaportal link) [] to introduce a highlighted version of a letter for students to review the different parts and relate to the “person.” (use resources from this site to review letter format as well as how to correctly address an envelope). ===