Materials:
Chalk
A large classroom library with a variety of books color coded by instructional
level
Large Teacher Book: Tikki Tikki Tembo by: Arlene Mosel
Individual Student Books: Tikki Tikki Tembo by: Arlene Mosel
Student Quiz
Procedure:
(1) Introduce the lesson by asking children, "Do
you like it when someone reads when you are trying to think, do you ever
get distracted?" Then ask, "Does anyone know what it means to read silently?"
Wait for student responses. Then say, "Silent reading is when you Sh-SH-Shush
When We Read!" Can everyone say this with me (YELL), "Sh-Sh-Shush When
We Read!" Okay, now let's say it softer (normal tone) "Sh-Sh-Shush When
we read!" Let's do it one more time and whisper, "Sh-Sh-Shush When We Read"
Good Job! Now let's move our lips with no sounds, "Sh-Sh-Shush When We
Read". Wow! Now let's think to ourselves without moving our mouth, "Sh-Sh-Shush
When We Read". I am so proud of you! Silent reading is when you are reading
but you think to yourself with no sounds or mouth moves. It is very important
to know how to do this because we are big boys and girls. For now on when
you are in a public place like a doctor's office and you are reading, I
want you think, "SH-Sh-Shush When We Read!" Today we are going to practice
so you can be expert silent readers.
(2) Next, introduce the book Tikki Tikki Tembo with a book talk (A long time ago in China it was very important to name your first son with a special long name. A boy lived in a small town and his name was Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchipip peri pembo! Whew what a name! Well he had a brother but his name was easier to say it was Chang. Every morning their mom would go to the river to wash clothes and the boys would be told not to go near the well. The boys did not listen and Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchipip peri pembo fell in. What is his brother Chang going to do now? You have to read to find out!) Okay boys and girls I need you to tell me if I am following our rule to Sh-Sh-Shush When We Read. Ready? I want you to stand up when I am reading silently. USE BIG BOOK EVEYONE CAN SEE! (YELL) ONCE UPON A TIME, A LONG, LONG, TIME AGO… Ask the students, "Why is no one standing?" Wait for student responses. Okay, let me try again. (NORMAL VOICE) IT WAS CUSTOM OF ALL THE FATHERS AND MOTHERS IN CHINA… Ask the students, "What did I do wrong that time?" Wait for student responses. Okay, let me try again. (WHISPER) TO GIVE THEIR FIRST AND HONORED SONS GREAT LONG NAMES… Ask the students, "I was reading quietly, was that silent reading? What rule am I forgetting when I read?" Wait for student response "Sh-Sh-Shush when you read!" Okay this is my last time, (READ WITH MOUTH MOVING BUT NO SOUNDS) "BUT SECOND SONS WERE GIVEN HARDLY ANY NAME…" Ask, "Did I trick anyone? Who can tell me what I did wrong?" Wait for student response that I was moving my mouth. Alright I knew you were good at this, let's read silently together with no sounds or mouth moves, "IN A SMALL MOUNTAIN VILLAGE THERE LIVED A MOTHER…" Everyone should be standing and I am so proud of each person! Your on your way to becoming an expert silent reader.
(3) Tell students, "Okay boys and girls when we are silent readers there are two important rules you must remember." (WRITE ON THE BOARD 1. EVERYBODY READS 2. DO NOT DISTURB ANYONE) "The first rule is everybody reads. We are all going to finish reading the book Tikki Tikki Tembo silently. (Hand out student copies) I am even going to read with you. The second rule is we do not bother our neighbor. If we want to share something about our book you will have a chance after everyone finishes silent reading. Can everyone help me remember what we do when we silent read "Sh-Sh-Shush When We read." Tell student "You do not have to sit at your desk when we read but find a spot that it is not going to get you in trouble".
(4) Tell students "Remember the two finger rule. When you read the first page if there are two words you do not know raise your hand and we will pick another book. I will be walking around at first to make sure everyone is okay. Let's read silently class." The teacher will walk around and observe the children to see if they are reading silently. The teacher should look to see eye movement, mouth movement, whispers, etc.
(5) After children have finished silent reading divide them into small groups to talk about the book for 5 min. This gives the children a chance to share things that they liked in the book.
(6) After 5 minutes have the children return to their desks to take a comprehension quiz on what they read. The quiz is an assessment tool. After the children finish with the quiz explain that they will be reading everyday for 30 minutes and tomorrow they will be able to pick their own book. It is a special silent reading time for the teacher as well as the students. Tell the students "Now I have lots of different books for everyone to choose from. Everyday I am going to give a book talk like I did today so you can find out what the books are about." (The spines of the book are color coded for instructional level and the children know which color they are.)
Tikki Tikki Tembo Comprehension Quiz Example
1. Why did Tikki Tikki Tembo have such a long name?
a. he was named after his grandparents
b. he was the last born child
c. he was the first born child
d. his mom liked long names
2. What was Tikki Tikki Tembo's brothers name?
a. Tikki Tikki Rembo Chang
b. Chang
c. Brother
d. Wang
3. What happened when Tikki Tikki Tembo fell in the
well?
a. his brother ran for help
b. he climbed out
c. he yelled for help
d. he died
4. Why did the old man not hear Chang?
a. he was not talking loud enough
b. he could not say his brothers name
c. he was too busy
d. he thought he was lying
5. What kind of names did Chinese people name their children
at the end of the story?
e. long historical names
f. short names
g. no name
h. boy or girl
References:
Murray, B.A. "Developing reading Fluency." (online) http://www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/fluency.html
Routh, Yolanda. "Sh-Sh-Sh-Sh-SHHHHHHHHHH Reading." (online)
http://www.auburn.edu/rdggenie