Digging Deeper into Texts

We have spent the first few weeks reading Something Upstairs by award winning author, Avi, as a read aloud in the classroom. This book is a historical fiction text that fits right into the Rhode Island history we teach in 4th grade. I have to say that the students have really taken a liking to this book, and they were sad when we finished reading it! As an integrated Social Studies and ELA lesson, we examined the two points of view on the topic of continuing the space trade through the Port of Providence back in the 1800s. Take a look at one of the class anchor charts we created! I'm so impressed with the deep thinking these students are doing! 

Chapter Summary - Fiction

Need help with your chapter summary? Remember the format we use in class to summarize Something Upstairs.

Somebody: Main character
Wanted: What does that character want to do?
But: What problem arises?
So: How is the problem resolved?
Then: What will the character do next?

Here is an example from Chapter 5 of Something Upstairs:

Engaging Reading Activity

 "Jump in and Read!" The kids absolutely love it! It keeps all the students engaged and focused on the reading because they want to be the next  child to jump in and read.

I typically use this activity after we have read the text once.