Book Club: Thinking Like a Teacher Matilda By: Roald Dahl

1. Book Club: Thinking Like a Teacher Matilda By: Roald Dahl Sarah Czaja Ashley Brewer Erika Fowler

2. Overview Grade Level: 4th Grade Instruction Model: Reading & Writing Workshop Resource: Tompkins Chapter 13

3. Lesson 1Introduction to the Book Ask class �Who has read the book� Class discussion of genre of the book (think-pair-share) Class reads 1st chapter of the book aloud During reading teacher models word identification strategies Teacher identifies various unfamiliar words for the students to practice decoding after they read during workshop time Accommodations Teacher walks around class to aid students in completing the workshop Read book aloud Modeling strategies Use a foreign language dictionary ex: Spanish/English to aid ESL Students chose to work in pairs or alone

4. Possible Vocabulary for Lesson 1 Amphibian Chaos Consent Forgery Imitation Phenomenon Pupils Spectacles mesmerized Mooch Comparative Corridor Astounding Unaccompanied Newt Elated Pocket Mad

5. Daily Lesson Plan Structure for all Lessons Students read 2 chapters every night Students respond to the chapters in a reading log In class students discuss their impressions and questions about the reading during the first 10 minutes of class Reading of 1 chapter (volunteer, popcorn, CD, teacher led, etc) Main lesson Student independent/group work Teacher led wrap up of lesson

6. Lesson 2Opposites Students explore opposites in the book Teacher uses quote �I�m right, you�re wrong, I�m smart, you're dumb, I�m big you�re little�� to engage students in exploring opposites in the book Students think-pair-share during workshop Grand Conversation of what makes things opposites, why they help the story, etc Accommodations Students can have the book on tape for reading Can use computer to express ideas Use of an aid to record ideas Draw pictures Audio tape ideas Write in mix of foreign language and English

7. Lesson 3Predict & Confirm Before reading chapter in class, students predict what will happen in the chapter using using their previous knowledge Read chapter Students confirm their predictions Teacher explains that there are not right or wrong, many interpretations Accommodations Students can record their ideas in multiple different ways (verbal, drawing, written) Verbal discussion Provide scaffolding for students Pocket translator for ESL Encourage students to participate

8. Extension: Movie Compare and contrast the movie to text Discussion of how different media represent ideas, characters, plot, etc in different ways

9. Expansion ProjectMultiple Project Options Newsletter from Matilda�s school �Crunchem Hall� Poster of an opposite in the book (can use magazine clippings, written ideas, photos, drawings, etc) Write a letter from the perspective of a student at Crunchem Hall, to an administrator about Ms. Trunchbull �activist approach� Write a song from a character�s perspective Create a play, paralleling the story Poem Other student ideas..to be approved by teacher Accommodations These projects allow for students to build upon their strengths and have the choice on how to reveal their understanding of the book.

10. What we learned as a student: It was an engaging story that also has many deep themes Books can be timeless and apply to many ages We are thinking like teachers whenever we read

11. Why we chose our instructional model: It easily allows for differentiation Provides time for scaffolding and independent work Provides time for different interactions: partner reading, writing and response to reading, independent reading & writing, small group time, etc.

12. What we Would do as Teachers: Use Matilda to: to encourage the building of a classroom community through exploring relationships, life themes, etc Engage students in the reading process through use of a material that students can relate to Expose students to new genres Help students discuss how to resolve a problem as well as the steps to take if they are facing issues at home or at school