Grade: 3-5
Subject: 4 Blocks

#1134. Guided Reading using Gail Gibbon's book Frogs

4 Blocks, level: Elementary
Posted Sat Jun 26 08:22:57 PDT 1999 by deb (d-smith@cybersol.com).
coloma, south haven MI USA
Materials Required: Frogs by Gail Gibbons ISBN: 0-590-50662-5
Concepts Taught: reading

Frogs written by Gail Gibbons

Day one guided reading

Start a graphic organizer labeled Frog Life Cycle
I have the kids in groups of 2-3 since I have 11 copies of this book.

I read pages 1-4 aloud to the students. What is this section about? (Frog's laying eggs, embryos developing inside the eggs, eggs laid in clusters, embryos grow until they look like tadpoles inside the eggs)

I have the partners read page 5-6. While you read think about what happens next? (Tadpoles grow bigger, They break free, It takes 3 days to 3 weeks, they have a head, body, and tail)

I do rivet for the word algae and feathery. Then the kids read page 7. We add information about the tadpoles to the graphic organizer. The kids read the sentence where they found the information that they want to add. I find with 2nd graders they need this extra reinforcement that there is information to use in the book. I call this "right there."

Then the partners/small group reads page 8 about the tadpoles getting teeth. I call on a few people to add a fact to the graphic organizer.

We repeat the same procedure for page 9 which discusses tadpoles at age 1 month.

Then the partners/small group reads pages 10-11 which discusses tadpoles at 2 months. I have the partners/small groups find 5 important points to share with the group. I call on a group to share what they've learned. Then ask if any others have something else to add.

On page 13 look for the details to add onto the 3 months old heading. They find 5 key points to share with the group.

Graphic organizer now has these headings:
egg tadpole 1 week old 1 month old 2 months old 3 months old


Day 1 read alouds during ssr time are two of the books listed under day 2 writing time.

Day 2 guided reading

Set purpose for reading: Find information about frogs and toads. I have started a compare and contrast graphic organizer to help us see the differences. Read with partners the rest of the Frogs book by Gail Gibbons.

Day 2 writing time is spent writing a book of facts about frogs. I have the kids write frog facts on frog shaped paper. Then the kids pick a frog that they like from the frog books. They color their cover like a frog. Then label the cover with the name of their frog.
The kids use the following books:

Flashy fantastic Rainforest Frogs by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent ISBN: 0-590-10861-1
Frogs by Gail Gibbons ISBN: 0-590-50662-5
The Frog Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallota ISBN: 0-590-10252-4


Day 3 guided reading

Set purpose for reading: Find more information about frogs and toads. We add onto the graphic organizer from yesterday. The kids partner read I Can Read About Frogs and Toads.

Day 3 writing time is spent writing a book of facts about toads. I have the kids write the toad facts on the toad shaped paper.


Other curriculum notes:

I brought in pond water with frog clusters of eggs and we are watching tadpole develop into frogs.