Lesson Plan - Character Map

Miss Nelson is Missing

Grade 4

 

Claudia Richardson

 

NE Standards:

 

4.2.3                 By the end of the fourth grade, students will use a variety of forms to write for different audiences and purposes.

4.1.3                   By the end of the fourth grade, students will identify the basic facts and essential ideas in what they have read or viewed.

4.1.6                   By the end of the fourth grade, students will identify and apply knowledge of the structure, elements, and meaning of fiction and provide evidence from the text to support their answers.

 

 

Objectives:

·        The students will create a character map from Miss Nelson is Missing.

·        The students will create a name (acrostic) poem about a character from Miss Nelson is Missing.

 

Materials:

Miss Nelson is Missing By Harry Allard

Character Map Graphic Organizer

Blank paper

 

Procedures:

Anticipatory Set:  The teacher will read the story Miss Nelson is Missing aloud to students.  This activity would be appropriate at the time around when a substitute teacher has been present in the classroom.

 

Vocabulary: 

rude

ugly

secret

gobbled

spitballs

rapped

detective

squirmed

hissed

refused

change

swarm

discouraged

lovely

closest

 

 

Activities:

1.       After reading the story aloud brainstorm together as ac class about Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp using character maps.  Provide each student with two organizers and have them follow along with the teacher on the board or overhead.

2.     Create a name poem for the detective as an example of what the students are to do for Miss Nelson or Miss Viola Swamp.

3.     Have each student work independently on creating a name poem.  Or you can have the students work in small groups to create a poem.

4.     Pair up students and have them share their poems with each other.

 

Provisions for special needs:  when writing the acrostic poems have the students work in groups instead of independently to help out students who are less capable writers.  Discuss with the character with the students one on one.  Another way to help a student with special needs would be to write the character's name vertically on the piece of paper and provide the student with a list of descriptive vocabulary used in the story to describe that character.

 

Closure: 

Create a book of the poems and place it in the classroom for everyone to read.

 

Assessment: 

          Create a checklist or rubric that considers the following:

1.       Has the student followed the directions in creating the acrostic poem?

2.     Does the poem create a strong image of the character?

3.     Is it evident that the student has played with words to fit the formula of the acrostic poem?

 

References: 

          Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard

          Reading Beyond the Basal:  Miss Nelson is Missing by Victoria Valdez

 

 

Reflection: