I will let the students know that each part of this unit is about a holiday enjoyed by children not necessarily in America. Each one describes an event that brings joy, whether the event is a big festival or an ordinary event. Students will be asked to listen and read for words and phrases that show that the characters in the event ultimately enjoy themselves.
Italy- Cricket Festival
To build background I have to access prior knowledge and build vocabulary concepts.
Students will be told that the first event is called Cricket Festival. It is about a special
holiday that is celebrated in Italy. Italy is a country in Europe, shaped like a boot. I would then explain that the Cricket Festival is unlike most holidays in the United States
because they collect insects.
How long is a cricket? I would have the students look cricket up in the encyclopedia. If one is not available. the average one is about two inches long. How long is two inches? I would give each student a ruler. Then I would draw a model of a magnified ruler on the board, up to four (4) inches.
inch inches inch inches
0------------------------1------------------------2------------------------3---------------------4
I would then isolate one (1) inch and explain that it is one whole like a whole pizza. I'd also draw a large circle (pizza).
0----------------------------|----------------------------------1
1/2
Then at the halfway mark I use a different color chalk and draw a long line. I would explain that if I cut the pizza into two (2) equal parts each part would be called a half. It is the same with the inch. The two sections one to the right and left of the colored line that I just drew are equal halves. Then halfway between the 0 and the 1/2 mark and halfway between the 1/2 and 1 inch mark I would draw another line using another color. I would ask, if I cut the pizza halves in half, how many equal parts? ( hopefully they will say 4 or I would just tell them so) It is the same with the inch. Each of the four (4) sections is one fourth of the inch.
0-------------|-------------|------------|------------1 inch
1/4 inch 1/2 inch 3/4 inch
The cricket is about 2 inches long. Draw a line with the ruler 2 inches long.
This math measurement information will be necessary during the lesson following the reading of the Cricket Festival.
I'd have the students working groups to list ways families celebrate Memorial Day such as:
Ways People Celebrate
1. We would have a cook out.
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2. Many family members and friends would attend.
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3. We go to the local parade.
Vocabulary Strategies
As a vocabulary strategy, I will write the following paragraph on the board. I'd invite them to read the paragraph silently, then I'd model using context clues with phonetic and structural analysis to decode each underlined word and figure out its meaning. Dictionaries or Glossaries may be used.
The Key Words to define are:
1. cricket
2. Italy
3. grillo
4. cage
5. tradition
6. captivity
7. environs
8. array
9. merriment
10. populated
Check for Understanding
To check for understanding I will read the definition of each word, out of order, one at a time, and the students will give me the word defined.
Strategic Reading
Preview and Predict (for each holiday)
Students will be encouraged to read the title of each holiday, look at each of the illustrations, and to read the first two paragraphs of each reading. I would help them make predictions be asking:
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* What are some of the ways in which people celebrate at the Cricket Festival and all of the other celebrations?
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* How is the Cricket Festival, and each of the holidays chosen, like other celebrations?
Setting a Purpose (for each holiday)
Brainstorm with the students what they think they might learn as they read the story, based on their preview and on what they already know. They would then use their predictions to set a purpose to reading about this unit. I will model a purpose if the students have difficulty setting one like:
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* I am going to read to find out what makes the Cricket Festival and all the other celebrations special.
After the reading the students will be making cricket cages as a part of their mathematics measurement lesson. To do this they will have mastered measuring items, using a ruler, to the nearest 1/4 inch. All the materials will have to be measured and cut.
This is the Guided Student Reading Sheet to be photocopied and given to each student.
Cricket Festival
In Florence, Italy and its environs there is the cricket festival. This is a favorite of the children. As strange and ugly as these little creatures may be, the boys and girls think it exciting to choose their own cricket to present to relatives and friends as well as for personal enjoyment. Once upon a time when there were more grassy areas and less populated areas, people used to catch their own crickets, known in Italy as grillo. Now they are found in stores as are other pets.
The streets are full with excitement and fun. Half of all the noise comes from the chirping of the crickets that are kept in tiny, painted, wood or wire cages. Most insects don't last long in captivity but the children of Italy try keeping them alive as long as they can. They go home with the children after the festival. Bright colors, red, yellow. green and more array the area. Good food, toys, cold drinks and balloons are sold, adding to the merriment.
What would make people keep crickets? When did this tradition start? It seems to have begun a very long time ago. The wall in Pompeii was a showcase of the little creatures.