1. Reading Objectives: Close Reading
Unit: 2 Lesson: 4
Module: B
Objectives:
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text. RL.4.4
Identify key ideas and details in a story. RL.4.2
Today we will be doing a
Close Reading
of chapters 7 and 8.
Essential Questions:
How do readers compare and contrast topics?
How does a writer use evidence to support ideas of compare and contrast in
an essay?

2. First Read Let’s explore the text!
Summarize Chapters 1–6 of The Birchbark House. Recall that the novel focuses on seasons and cycles. Look at the
Chapter 7 title, and think about the relationship of seasons and cycles to the chapter title: The Move.

3. Shared Reading Routine
Focus: What is the “gist” of the text?
I will begin reading The Birchbark House while you follow along in your book. Then, you will continue reading to the end of chapter 8, silently on your own. You should be looking for a general understanding of what the text is mainly about.
Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are done with the reading:
• How do the family members prepare for their
move?
• Why would the girls want to know what
Fishtail is doing at the school?
• What questions do you have?

4. Second Read When you reread The Birchbark House, focus on key details
related to the family’s move.
Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are done
with the reading:
1. Why is the season important to the family’s preparations that begin on p. 99? Where is the family moving? Why does the family need to move to a different kind of home?
2. What preparations is the family making?
3. On pages 105 and 106, Omakayas experiences the freezing cold of the cabin that “continued to deepen as the night went on.” She “never quite” warms. The text refers to the “ferocity” of the cold. What does ferocity mean?
4. Throughout the book so far, you have read about the relationship between the chimookoman and the Anishinabe. What does treaties mean in the sentence when Fishtail says he’s learning so the chimookoman cannot cheat the Anishinabe with their treaties?
5. On page 112, Omakayas trots behind Angeline and Fishtail, “just within earshot.” Given that she trots behind to listen to their conversation, what does earshot mean?

5. Focused Reading Vocabulary Routine: Text-Based Vocabulary
agility, p. 102
gravity, p. 104
motive, p. 111
savage, p. 116
Vocabulary Routine:
1. Read the sentence containing the word.
2. Identify context clues about its meaning within the passage.
3. Look up the word in a dictionary and read the definition.
4. Use the word in other ways.
*After we review these words, write your sentences on p. 124 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal.*

6. Text-Based Conversation
Focused Reading
Text-Based Conversation
I see on p. 100––and from the reading I did earlier in the novel––that Omakayas and her family use every part of an animal. For example, they use its bones to make tools. They use other parts of it to eat. And they use other parts of it to wrap the food they will eat later. I can infer that they care about nature. They care about the animals around them. They know that life is important, and they do not want to be wasteful.
Discuss the details on pp. 102–103, noting that Omakayas notices details about the little bundles for the first time. Discuss an inference you made about why she notices these details for the first time.

7. Focused Reading Team Talk Routine
Do you think it is fair that Omakayas had to help perform chores to get ready for the winter? Use details from the text to support why or why not.

8. An author does not always tell all the details. The
Reading Analysis
Draw Inferences
An author does not always tell all the details. The
reader sometimes must read details and then apply common sense and personal knowledge to make inferences. For example, if you know that a
character loves dogs, but doesn’t like cats, you can draw an inference that when faced with a pet choice, the character would choose a dog.

9. Reading Analysis Cite Text Evidence
Focus on the second paragraph of p. 110.
• What details in the text tell you how Grandma feels about the chimookomanug? Record them in column 1.
• What background knowledge do you already have that can help you draw an inference about Grandma’s feelings? Record it in column 2.
• Using text details and background knowledge, what can you infer about Grandma’s feelings?
Record your inference in column 3.

10. Writing in Response to Reading
Independent Reading
Reading Analysis
Work independently to complete their own Three-Column Charts to draw an inference about why Omakayas thinks Old Tallow would protect her with her life.
Writing in Response to Reading
Turn to page 125 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal and read the prompt: Omakayas and her family work hard to prepare for winter. What can you infer about what winter is going to be like for them? Include examples from the text to support your ideas.

11. Small Groups It’s time to get into our groups!
Please see me if you don’t know what group you belong in.

12. Writing Objectives: Opinion Writing
Provide reasons supported by details when writing.
Understand pronouns.

13. Writing
Opinion Writing
Remember the process of forming and stating an opinion. You should first read and analyze the text to get information on which to base your opinions. Then state your opinion and provide the reasons you have for thinking the way you do.

14. Writing
Analyze the Text
Let’s take a look at how a writer gives reasons that are supported by details.

15. Writing Conventions Focus: Understand Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.
•If you’re talking about your brother Tom, you might say, “He left the room.” He is a pronoun that takes the place of Tom.
•If you’re speaking of yourself, instead of using your own name, you might use the pronouns I or me.

16. Writing Independent Writing Be sure to:
Use your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal, p. 130, to write your opinion about whether Omakayas will listen to the bear cubs as Nokomis tells her to on p Reflect on the conversation between Nokomis and Omakayas.
Be sure to:
state your opinion about the prompt.
state a reason to support your opinion.
include details from the text to support your reason.