The Sunflower That Went Flop (Wright Group) 

Day1 – focus: prediction

I had brought in a giant sunflower. We talked about how it was falling over and why. Shared cover of book, title, etc. Predicted what would happen. Again, good readers make predictions, etc. Read shared reading style up until Mr. Brown fixes it the first time. Then asked students to write at least 3 ways Mr. Brown could keep the sunflower up. We shared – lots of great ideas! Continued reading to end. Reread together, pointing out speech bubbles and quotation marks, and reading just those parts in different voices. 

Day2: Reread shared reading style. Completed story map including these elements: character, setting, problem, feeling, events, solution, and feelings. Students worked independently or with a partner, depending on their need for support. Returned to group and shared ideas. Completed large story map together. 

Day3: Readers Theater – recalled speech bubbles and quotes and what they are used for. Teacher made book into a Reader’s Theatre. Students will participate in making a Reader’s Theatre later in the year. Two groups – each student given a part. Went to different parts of the room, sat in circle and read. They loved it! Encouraged lots of _expression in voices. Came back together and briefly shared what was fun about doing readers theater.  

Day4: Have a mini-nonfiction-book on sunflowers. Read independently to find facts and shared briefly whole group.