How to Weigh an Elephant 6-pack Author: Lorain Day ISBN: 9780478120448 Lesson Plan Blackline Master Grade Level: 2 Reading Level: K Strategy/Skill: Comparing and contrasting, Sequencing, Vocabulary and word study Genre: General Narrative Theme/Topic: Math, Problem Solving Classification: Fiction Fluency: Early-Fluent

Book Summary

Clever Little Tsao has the solution to the problem perplexing her elders. Her biggest problem is getting them to listen to her!

Features of the Book

• A clear introduction, middle, and conclusion.
• A clear sequence of problem-solving skills – problem identified, possible solutions considered, one course of action chosen,
  success gained, and success acknowledged.
• The use of mathematical language – “weigh,” “add,” “heavier,” “scales,” and “numbers.”
• The math concepts involving weight and displacement.
• The use of various word endings – “ier,” “ed,” and “ing.”
• Present and past forms of verbs – “take” and “took,” “weigh” and “weighed,” “work” and “worked,” “pay” and “paid.”
• The use of italics for emphasis.

Purpose

How to Weigh an Elephant can be used in a guided reading setting to introduce and reinforce the following skills and strategies:

• comparing books by different authors written in the same genre
• understanding the function, feature, and category of new words encountered in the story
• developing the skill of writing in a sequential manner.

For more information please see our Lesson Plan