In Search of the Novel:Teachers & Lesson Plans

Pauline Moller

Pauline Moller has been a sixth grade English teacher and team leader at Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring, MD, since 1995. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in reading/writing/literacy. Ms. Moller has served as writer and editor for the development of the Montgomery County's 6th grade English curriculum. In addition, She has conducted workshops in Montgomery on strategies for teaching reading and on the differentiation of instruction. She has presented at the NECC conference and is her school's Technology Committee chairperson. Ms. Moller was nominated for the Sally May First Year Teacher award and Teacher of the Year.

Lesson Plan for Bridge to Terabithia

Objective:

To transform the text: seeing the setting and hearing the dialogue

Activity/Plan

Day 1: “Seeing” the setting

  1. Read aloud/Visualization—Seeing Terabithia
  2. How does the author paint a word picture?
  3. Students find example of words from Chapter 1 that paint a picture. (They work independently and then share.Student recorders use chart paper to record words and phrases.
  4. Class discussion: How do these words and phrases enhance the story and make it more interesting?
  5. Teacher reads aloud from p. 38 while student draw on floor, couches, etc.
    List words and phrases that painted the picture on your drawing.
  6. Gallery posting and walk; follow-up discussion about seeing the setting.
  7. “Hearing” the dialogue
  8. Who Am I? Web for character development
    (Teacher-directed/student group-work at tables)
  9. Locate words, actions, and dialogue that tell about your character’s personality. (Students find examples using selected sections of the text.)
  10. Develop “Who-Am-I?” profiles that present but not give away the character. (Students put sticky notes on paper to indicate their guesses.)
  11. Students read aloud sections of text that reveal a character’s personality and discuss why.
  12. What can be revealed about a character through description? Through action or plot? Through dialogue?
  13. Students read in pairs changing the tone and inflection, and adding non-verbal expressions.
  14. “Feeling” (using prompts)
  15. Friendship
    Write about a time a friend made you feel good about yourself. Paint a word picture.
  16. Write letters to Jess or Leslie commenting on the qualities they possess that make them good friends to each other. Share letters.

Day 2

  • Seeing the setting by taking a field trip
  • Class discussion: Why do Jess and Leslie become such good friends? Why do they depend on each other? What makes Terabithia so special to them? Why do they work to keep it only to themselves?
  • Field trip (to Sligo Creek Park, a wooded area with a stream)
    Think about the questions discussed (above) and hear the natural dialogue of people.

    Notes: It is helpful to get the students up and active, creating pictures, recording observations, seeing connections, and actively hearing, all so they can feel the story more fully.