Lesson 8 :: Growing Ideas Through Conversation
A Day’s Work [Before the Read]
Lesson 8 :: Growing Ideas Through Conversation
A Day’s Work [Before the Read]
Readers grow ideas about their reading through
conversations they have with other readers, just like the ones
we have been having during reading workshop.
Today we are going to read an amazing book called “A
Day’s Work” by Eve Bunting, the author of many
wonderful books for children. We will pay particular
attention to the characters and try to understand who
they are and why they act as they do. Let’s gather our
thinking and questions in order to move into a
conversation after reading. I will stop at a few places
and either share my own thinking or ask you to stopand-jot or turn and talk to a partner, but feel free to jot
your thinking at any point during the read.
We can approach conversations like we are going to a
barbecue dinner. Imagine that for a barbecue, each person
brings a dish like an appetizer, salad, or dessert, and together
they make a great meal. For conversations, each of us brings
our own ideas, and together we grow these ideas and build a
rich conversation. When we come to a conversation, we bring
our questions, ideas, and connections. We respond to others’
ideas by adding related ideas, asking questions, and using
evidence from the text to support our thinking.
Have students set up a page in their Reader’s Notebook
with the author and title at the top, followed by sticky
notes.
Lesson 8 :: Growing Ideas Through Conversation
A Day’s Work [During the Read]
Lesson 8 :: Growing Ideas Through Conversation
A Day’s Work [During the Read]
Begin reading aloud, stopping after p. 8
Continue reading through p. 26
I think Francisco is really smart and persistent. I think this
because of the way he lists many reasons why Mr. Benjamin
should take him and Abuelo to work in his garden. I see this
especially when he tells Mr. Benjamin he would get to
workers for the price of one. That is a good deal! Does
everyone notice the part I am talking about on page 8?
What do you think about Abuelo? Turn and talk with a
partner and then jot down your thinking.
Continue reading through p. 16
Francisco tries hard to help his grandfather by speaking
English and by helping him on the job. I particularly think this
when he tells Abuelo that he will show him the weeds and
tells him not to pick the flowers. That is very helpful! Did you
notice this part in the text, too?
Allow students time to discuss and jot. Ask a student
to share his or her thoughts with the class to prompt
other students who may be having difficulty.
Read through the rest of the text. At the end ask
students what they think about Francisco. Prompt
them to explain their thoughts.
What makes you think that? Stop-and-jot your thinking.
Lesson 8 :: Growing Ideas Through Conversation
A Day’s Work [After the Read]
Lesson 8 :: Growing Ideas Through Conversation
A Day’s Work [After the Read]
We each have been preparing for a conversation in a
way that’s similar to how we prepare a meal, by putting
parts together. We are going to move into a
conversation to grow our ideas together about
Francisco and Abuelo’s relationship. We’ll focus on
more than just sharing our own thinking (or eating our
own dish), but will respond to, connect with, and grow
ideas together. Let’s consider some very specific
conversational moves that will help us do that.
Begin a conversation using the starting strategies.
Guide and coach students to use the conversation
strategies. Model the strategies as needed, entering
the conversation to pose a question or share textual
evidence. Move students toward making larger
statements about the characters personalities and
relationship.
Display and discuss Appendix 1 “Strategies for
Growing Ideas.”
At the end of conversation, name a few strong
conversational moves you noticed. Ask students to
share their observations as well.