Stranger Than Fiction 6-pack Author: Various ISBN: 9780176358204 Lesson Plan Grade Level: 7 Classification: Nonfiction, Fiction

Key Reading Strategy: Synthesizing

The lesson plans in this issue of High Wire Magazine highlight the reading strategy Synthesizing.  Opportunities to practice this strategy are indicated by the symbol.  For more information on this strategy, see page 10.  Assessment Master 15 in the Program and Assessment Guide can be used for this strategy.

Curriculum Link: social studies

Introducing the Magazine

Setting the Scene

Tell the students that this issue of High Wire Magazine will challenge their beliefs.  It contains articles and stories about strange and dangerous events.  Tell the students to imagine that they find five dollars on the sidewalk as they are walking to school one day.  To their surprise, they find another five dollars in the same place every day for the next week. Ask questions such as the following:

• How would you explain this?
• Would people believe that you found the first five dollars?
• Would they believe that you had found five dollars in the same place for five days in a row?

Making Connections

Explain to the students that strange, unlikely events have been happening throughout history.  Sometimes, these events are less mysterious when the facts are revealed; however, some events just can’t be explained.  Ask the students to think about an event that they found hard to believe.  Ask questions such as the following:

• What strange event or behavior do you find hard to believe?
• Why do you find it hard to believe?
• What information would you need in order to believe it?
• Where could you find the information?

For more information please see our Lesson Plan