What is a fantasy?
Plantzilla
This week we will be reading the story Plantzilla. It is about a boy named Mortimer Henryson who loves "Plantzilla", the plant he's been taking care of all year in his third-grade classroom. He loves him so much, he takes him home for summer vacation. What could go wrong with a . . . plant? But life in the Henryson household soon takes a strange turn.
Using the illustration on the front cover of the book, PREDICT what you think will happen in PLANTZILLA.
(Anticipation Guide)
Illustrations - Setting
Illustrations are pictures and/or drawings in a story that compliment what the author is trying to say. Often, pictures can tell us more about the story's setting or a person's characteristics. Understanding a story may be difficult, but when there are pictures, we can use context clues to get a better understanding of the story. Did you know there can be illustrations in non-fiction and fiction texts?
Can you give an example when an illustration helped you determine the setting in a story? Non-fiction? Fiction?
(T-Chart)
(T-Chart)
Now, I will read the story aloud and it is your job to examine the illustrations.
Using a sticky note, you will write down when you think the illustration is revealing more than the text tells!
(Thought Bubble)
Using a sticky note, you will write down when you think the illustration is revealing more than the text tells!
(Thought Bubble)
After reading, you will get with a shoulder buddy and discuss:
(Share with the class)
- What illustrations surprised you?
- How did the illustrations in Plantzilla help you understand the setting?
(Share with the class)
Illustrations - Character Feelings
We learned yesterday that illustrations help us determine the setting in a story.
Today, we are going to discuss how the illustrations can help us understand the feelings of the characters in the story. Sometimes, illustrations can show us what the text may not and then other times, the text may reveal to us more than the picture does.
As we read, it is very important to analyze the pictures AND the text to make sure we get the whole meaning of what the author is trying to tell us!
As we read, it is very important to analyze the pictures AND the text to make sure we get the whole meaning of what the author is trying to tell us!
Cause and Effect
Today, we are going to discuss how a character's actions contribute to what happens in the story.
Peter Rabbit
How did Peter Rabbit's actions contribute to the sequence of events in the story?
Peter Rabbit
How did Peter Rabbit's actions contribute to the sequence of events in the story?
- What did Mortimer do in "Plantzilla" and what was the result of his actions?
- If he'd acted differently, the events of the story would have been different. What if he'd given the plant away once it started becoming a challenge?
Character Traits
Today, we are going to use illustrations and text to describe some of the characters in Plantzilla.
What are Character Traits?
What are Character Traits?
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Now let's discuss some character traits that describe the characters in Plantzilla. Remember to state evidence from the story when deciding their character traits!
Point of View
Today, we are going to talk about Mortimer's point of view in the story.
What do I mean when I say Point of View?
What do I mean when I say Point of View?
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How does Mortimer perceive (realize or understand) his situation?
Why does he perceive (realize or understand) his situation the way he does?
Why does he perceive (realize or understand) his situation the way he does?
Making Connections
How would you feel if you were in Mortimer's situation?
Would you want to take a plant home for the summer?
Would you care for the plant the same way Mortimer did?
Would you feel the same as Mortimer? Why or why not?
Would the outcome be different if you were the main character? Why?
Would you want to take a plant home for the summer?
Would you care for the plant the same way Mortimer did?
Would you feel the same as Mortimer? Why or why not?
Would the outcome be different if you were the main character? Why?
Assessment Prompt Lesson Activity 1
RUBRIC
RUBRIC