ALEX Lesson Plan: Literary Elements in Jan Brett's The Mitten

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This lesson provided by:
Author:	Millie McCollough
System:	Elba City
School:	Elba Elementary School

Lesson Plan ID:

16567

Title:

Literary Elements in Jan Brett's The Mitten

Overview/Annotation:

Students will analyze such literary elements as plot, cause-effect relationships, sequence, and prediction in Jan Brett's The Mitten. Students will enjoy predicting upcoming story events and retelling the story from a dialogue that shows a text-to-self relationship.

Content Standard(s):

ELA(3)	1. Apply advanced phonetic analysis to multiple-syllable words, including consonants, short vowels, blends, long vowel markers, and r-controlled vowels.
ELA(3)	2. Demonstrate reading vocabulary knowledge of compound words.
ELA(3)	6. Recognize linguistic and cultural similarities and differences in multicultural literature.
ELA(3)	9. Compose narrative texts using an introductory paragraph, specific time frames, clear sequencing of events, and a conclusion.
ELA(3)	14. Demonstrate eye contact, articulation, and appropriate voice intonation with oral narrative presentations.
TC2(3-5)	2. Use various technology applications, including word processing and multimedia software.
TC2(3-5)	5. Practice safe use of technology systems and applications.
TC2(3-5)	6. Describe social and ethical behaviors related to technology use.
TC2(3-5)	8. Collect information from a variety of digital sources.

Local/National Standards:

Primary Learning Objective(s):

Students will demonstrate knowledge of literary elements by completing graphic organizers based on the literary elements of the story. Students will relate the animals in the story to themselves and applying what is known about the various characters, compose dialogue to share what the animals characters would say if they could talk. Students will use picture clues and story patterns to make predictions while reading. Students place the events of the story in order to retell the story using a slideshow presentation.

Additional Learning Objective(s):

Approximate Duration of the Lesson:

91 to 120 Minutes

Materials and Equipment:

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Technology Resources Needed:

Computers with Internet access, LCD projector, printer, MS PowerPoint

Background/Preparation:

Procedures/Activities:

1.)Begin the lesson by sharing pictures of the various animals that are characters in the story with the class. Allow students to share what they know about each animal. Then discuss characteristics of each.
(Enchanted Learning)
There are different pictures of animals that relate to the story.

2.)After describing the setting of the Ukraine, read The Mitten by Jan Brett. While reading call attention to the details in Brett's artwork soliciting predictions based upon margin artwork. Students should discover the predictability of the upcoming story events based upon the story/illustrative patterns that exist. Stop reading after the bear enters the mitten. Have students write what they believe will happen as the story progresses. Check students' writing to see that they have included the character of the mouse which appears in the margin artwork.

3.)Teach students about the different literary elements such as plot, cause- effect, characters, etc. Use the site below to help students gain a clear understanding.
(Literary Elements)
This site teaches different terms about literary elements.

4.)Then have students go to the website below and complete the different graphic organizers for each literary element.
(Literary Element)
This site helps students gain a better understanding of literary elements by asking students questions as they complete the graphic organizers.

5.)Give each student a copy of the animals that are characters in the story from the site below. Have students create a speech bubble for each character. Let students write in each speech bubble what the animal would say if it could talk. Dialogue should reflect thoughtful and appropriate conversational exchanges based upon the circumstances faced by each new character. The dialogue should also show a text-to-self relationship.
(The Mitten)
This site has printable pictures of the characters in the story.

6.)Allow students to retell the story at the computer using the attached PowerPoint template.

7.)Then let students share their graphic organizers, character dialogue, and slideshow presentations with the class.

Attachments:**Some files will display in a new window. Others will prompt you to download.

The Mitten.ppt

Assessment Strategies:

The teacher will check students' graphic organizers for accuracy and understanding of the literary elements. The teacher will observe whether students recall the characters' entrances into the mitten in the correct sequence. The teacher will check to see if text-to-self relationships are evidenced in the dialogue written for characters self-expression.

Extension:

Remediation:

Each area below is a direct link to general teaching strategies/classroom accommodations for students with identified learning and/or behavior problems such as: reading or math performance below grade level; test or classroom assignments/quizzes at a failing level; failure to complete assignments independently; difficulty with short-term memory, abstract concepts, staying on task, or following directions; poor peer interaction or temper tantrums, and other learning or behavior problems.

Presentation of Material

Using Groups and Peers

Assisting the Reluctant Starter

Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior

Be sure to check the student's IEP for specific accommodations.

Variations Submitted by ALEX Users: