LESSON PLAN OUTLINE

JMU Elementary Education Program

Kelsey Mercadante
Mrs. Patterson, T.C. Miller Elementary School, 5th Grade
Date: Nov. 30th- Dec. 4th.
Time: 10:30-11:00 (novel reading) & 11:00-11:40 each student gets 20 minutes of independent
time to work on choice board, vocabulary, etc.) Fridays will have a different schedule.
Mrs. Bivens Class: 17 students
A. TITLE OF LESSON: Week One of Blood on the River (Ch. 1-10)
B. CONTEXT OF LESSONS
During this week, students will be beginning a novel study on Blood on the River by Elisa
Carbone. Students will be introduced to novel vocabulary on Monday. Students will engage
in a prediction activity on Monday before reading. We will read 2 chapters a day. Chapters
will be discussed. During independent time, students will work on defining assigned
vocabulary, and a choice board activity of their choice. One choice board activity will be due
by Friday. There will be a vocabulary quiz on Thursday. There will be a novel quiz on
chapters 1-8 on Friday.
C. UNWRAPPING THE VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING
1. Grade Level and Content Area:
Fifth Grade English
2. Standard and Indicators: Communication & Reading
5.1 The student will listen, draw conclusions, and share responses in subject-related
group learning activities.
a) Participate in and contribute to discussions across content areas.
f) Demonstrate the ability to work independently.

5.4 The student will expand vocabulary when reading.

a) Use context to clarify meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases.
b) Use context and sentence structure to determine meanings and differentiate
among multiple meanings of words.
c) Use knowledge of roots, affixes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.
e) Use dictionary, glossary, thesaurus, and other word-reference materials.

f) Develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.

5.5 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts, narrative
nonfiction, and poetry.
b) Describe character development.
k) Make, confirm, or revise predictions.

Blooms Taxonomy Levels:

Understand, Create, Evaluate

D. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand
U1: Books have plots, just
like TV shows or movies. If
I understand the way the
story develops, I can
understand the authors
purpose in writing the story.
U2: When reading, I can
see how a character
develops and changes
throughout a story.

Know
K1: A historical fiction is a
genre which the plot takes place
in a setting located in the past
(a specific time period or
historical event). Historical
fiction may include fictional
characters as well as wellknown characters.

Do
D1: Read a historical fiction
text
D2: Describe character
development
D3: Predict what the book is
about.

E. ASSESSING LEARNING
Prediction Activity
Students will engage in a prediction activity on Monday. Students will turn this in.
This will be more of a completion grade, as long as predictions are somewhat
relevant.
Vocabulary Quiz
Students will be assessed on vocabulary in chapters 1-7 on Thursday.
Choice Board Activities
Students will choose one activity to complete on their choice board. They will turn it
into me by Friday for a grade. This will assess comprehension/understanding of
story.
Novel Quiz
Students will have a quiz on Friday to assess their comprehension of chapters 1-8.
F. MATERIALS NEEDED

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Smart Board
Pencils
Blood on River Book by Elisa Carbone (17)
Choice Board Folders (17)
Vocab strips (17)
Prediction Graffiti: White Computer Paper (17)
a. Choice of utensils (markers, pencils)
b. Sample to show students
Vocabulary Quiz Ch. 1-7 (17)
Novel Quiz Ch. 1-8 (17)
Student Reading Notebooks (for vocabulary definitions)
Journal Prompts (Monday. Journals due Friday)
Cold Passage (Wednesday)

G. PROCEDURE
Prep: Prepare and collect all materials for the week.
Monday: Day 1
10:30-10:40
o Pass out books
o Pass out white computer paper
o Explain how we are going to start a new novel. First we are going to predict what
we think it is going to be about.
o Prediction Graffiti (put up timer- you have 10 minutes to complete)
You are going to make your own prediction graffiti on the white paper.
Look at the picture on the cover, read the back of the book, and list
words, sentences, or pictures on your piece of paper that express what
you think the book will be about.
Also, I want you to think about the title of the book, why do you think
the author titled this novel, Blood on the River?
o Turn in prediction graffiti!
10:40-10:45
o Pass out vocabulary slips
o Discuss vocabulary
o After we read the first chapter or 2, you will have to use a dictionary and define
the vocabulary terms in your notebook during independent time.
o You will have a vocabulary quiz on these terms on Thursday.
10:45-11:00
o You will have quizzes on the novel each week (you will have one on Friday on
the chapter we read this week) and you will have to complete assignments on the
novel starting tomorrow, so its very important that you follow along, listen, and
read the chapters I assign you.
o Read chapter 1 to the students as a whole group.
o Read chapter 2 in whole group, if time.
If run out of time, assign students to ready chapter 2 during independent
time.
11:00-11:45 Refer to schedule
11:00-11:20 Group 4 (Patterson), Group 3 (Mercadante)

11:20-11:45 Group 1 (Patterson), Group 2 (Mercadante)

o Mrs. Patterson and I will pull reading groups during this time. When you are not
called, it will be your independent time to finish reading chapter 2, and define
your vocabulary words at your seat. (You will have about 20 minutes).
o You must finish completing your vocabulary words today. If you do not finish
defining your words, then you must complete them for homework.
11:45-12:00
o Word Study: Groups A & B
o iReady: Groups C & D
12:05
o Line up for lunch

Tuesday: Day 2
10:25-10:35
o Pass out Choice Board Folders
o Explain Choice Board
o You are going to choose 1 activity to complete for this week (choose 1 activity
next to week 1). You are to work on this choice during your independent work
time when Mrs. Patterson and I pull reading groups. Your chosen completed
assignment will be due to me on Friday. Turn in your assignment on a loose-leaf
paper and turn it in with your folder. You choice board assignment will be a
grade. I expect you to be very thorough and detailed in your chosen assignment.
Show me your very best work.
o Are there any questions?
10:35-11:00
o Discuss chapters 1 & 2
o Read chapter 3 in whole group
o Read chapter 4 in medium sized groups
11:00-11:45 Refer to schedule
11:00-11:20 Group 4 (Patterson), Group 1 (Mercadante)
11:20-11:45 Group 2 (Patterson), Group 3 (Mercadante)
o Mrs. Patterson and I will pull reading groups during this time. When you are not
called, it will be your independent time to finish reading chapter 4, and begin
working on your chosen choice board activity (You will have about 20 minutes).
11:45-12:00
o Word Study: Groups C & D
o Independent reading: Groups A & B
12:05
o Line up for lunch
Wednesday: Day 3
10:30-11:00
o Discuss chapters 3 & 4
o Read chapters 5 & 6 in medium sized groups
11:00-11:45 Refer to schedule
11:00-11:20 Group 3 (Patterson), Group 4 (Mercadante)
11:20-11:45 Group 2 (Patterson), Group 1 (Mercadante)
o Pass out cold passages

Mrs. Patterson and I will pull reading groups during this time. When you are not
called, it will be your independent time to work on the cold passage. You will
have to have cold passage done by the end of your 20 min. independent time.
When you complete the cold passage, turn into the Reading Drawer and then
continue to work on your chosen choice board activity.
11:45-12:00
o Word Study: Groups B & A
o iReady: Groups C & D
12:05
o Remind students that they have a vocabulary quiz tomorrow on their words
o Line up for lunch
o

Thursday: Day 4
10:30-11:00
o Discuss chapters 5 & 6
o Read chapter 7 in whole group and read chapter 8 in medium sized groups
11:00-11:45 Refer to schedule
11:00-11:20 Group 4 (Patterson), Group 2 (Mercadante)
11:20-11:45 Group 3 (Patterson), Group 1 (Mercadante)
o Mrs. Patterson and I will pull reading groups during this time. When you are not
called, you will be working on your vocabulary quiz at your seat. You may not
use your notes (You will have about 20 minutes). When you finish the quiz, turn
it in to the Reading drawer. Finish completing your choice activity if you have
not finished.
o *Remind students that their 1 chosen choice board activity is due tomorrow in
the folder.
11:45-12:00
o Word Study: Groups D & C
o Independent reading: Groups A & B
12:05
o *Remind students that they have a quiz on the novel tomorrow on chapters 1-8.
o *Remind students that their journals are due tomorrow
o Line up for lunch
Friday: Day 5 (schedule is different on Fridays due to art rotations)
10:00-10:25
o WS Group C Test (Mercadante)
o WS Group D Test (Patterson)
When finished testing, work on Sundae final copy.
o WS Groups A & B: Art (Lipscomb)
10:25-10:50
o WS Groups A Test (Patterson)
o WS Groups B Test (Mercadante)
When finished testing, work on Sundae final copy.
o WS Groups C & D: Art (Lipscomb)
11:00-11:20
o Briefly discuss chapters 7 & 8
o Novel Quiz on Ch. 1-8

11:20-11:35
o Finish up final copies (handwritten). Turn in Sundae paper.
If not finished, finish for homework, its due Monday (a handwritten
copy)
11:35-11:55
o Read chapters 9 & 10
11:55
o Collect Choice Board Folders
o Collect Journals (journal prompt assignment)
12:00
o Line up for lunch