Derives Meaning from Text

First grade reading lesson plans for teaching deriving meaning from text.

How to teach 1st grade reading using deriving meaning from text and extending meaning beyond the print.

1) Attends to a story read aloud
Read a story to the students, the students pretend to be the characters in the story as they relate to events of the story (plot) and how a character feels during the events of the story (mood).
Identify a key word or character that will appear in a story. Make up a rhythmical sound (with instruments or clapping, etc.) to associate with the word or character. As the story is read, students will play the rhythmical sound when they hear the selected word or character name.
Read a story. Ask students to make up a short song or poem about the story’s main character.
Ask students to describe their favorite scene in a story after it is read aloud. Students will tell what they liked about it.
Select a musical recording to accompany a scene from a story read aloud. Choose another selection of music for another scene, etc. Follow up by illustrating or dramatizing the story.

2) Retells a story with elaboration and meaningful sequence
Have students draw pictures to illustrate the beginning, middle, and ending of a story.
Create dance movements to depict main events of the beginning, middle, and ending of a story.
Memorize a poem that tells a story. Analyze the memorized selection for content and detail.
Memorize the lyrics to a song that tells a story. Ask students to retell the song’s story in their own words.

3) Recognizes fact from fantasy
Ask students to define and identify the fiction and non-fiction sections of the library. Ask the librarian for a floor plan of the library identifying the sections.
Have students look at a variety of paintings, pictures, or illustrations. Place the pictures into one of the following categories: 1.) The picture portrays an actual person or event in history. 2.) The picture is purely imaginary or created from fantasy. 3.) The picture is very lifelike and it could portray an actual person or event, but it also could be an imaginary fantasy created by the artist.
Guide students to categorize a variety of books. Determine whether the books are fiction (realistic or fantasy), or non-fiction.
Recreate a factual event of history through drama. Ask students to bring props and costume items from home to portray the scene.
Provide opportunities to dramatize a favorite historical figure. Write a monologue based on what the person actually said or wrote. Use costume, props, etc. to portray the character. The student may also play a recording of music that might have been played during the lifetime of the character.
Recreate a fictional story or play using drama, dance, or music/song.

4) Makes predictions
Read about the life of an important historical figure. Ask the students to predict what might have happened if the character had lived today.
Read about an event in history. Ask students to recreate the event in a modern-day setting; if it had happened in their neighborhood, school, etc.
Provide opportunities to observe the cover illustration of a book and ask students to predict things about the story’s characters, the setting, or events.
Provide opportunities to observe a painting or fine art print and predict its meaning. Ask students to describe all details of the painting. Discuss what the artist’s purpose may have been, and what he or she may be trying to communicate through the painting. After the students discuss all of their predictions, the teacher will share the true information about the painting and the artist.

5) Utilizes picture/context cues
Select pictures for a picture book and the teacher writes the words students use to describe the picture.
Use a painting or art print to write an original story or poem.

How To Thrive And Survive In The Classroom

Guide To Getting A Teaching Job


Robot Reader Reading Games And Phonics Games. Improve Kids Reading Skills With These Reading Games And Phonics Games For School Or Homeschool Education - Full Color Childrens Games - Printable Board Games, Card Games, Bingo Games, Domino Games Etc. Ideal For Teachers, Parents And Homeschoolers.