1. Connections Questions
Week 3 Day 2

2. Connections
When we learned how to make inferences with our reading, we looked at the text and connected information in the text with our own background knowledge or personal experiences.
This enabled us to make inferences about characters, events, plots, etc.

3. Teaching Point
When we can make connections with our reading, we are able to gain a deeper understanding of what the author wants us to know.
To help us better understand what we read, we will learn how to ask and respond to questions that encourage us to make connections with our reading and generate meaningful discussions within our group.

4. Teaching
Let’s look at questions to support comprehension of literary selections on the “Connection Questions Chart.”
Let’s review the following questions together:

6. Today we are going to re-read a short section from Thank you, Mr
Today we are going to re-read a short section from Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Pollaco.
As I read I am going to be thinking about what connections I can make to my own life.
Listen as I read first page and then I’ll stop to ask the following connection question: “How does this story make you feel?”
My response: “I feel excited to find out what will happen next. You can tell that reading is something Trisha has been waiting to learn how to do and that reading is very important to her family. They mention that she will have to chase the knowledge through the pages of a book. I am excited to find out what she will learn from her reading.”

7. Listen as I read pages 2 and 3 and then we will answer another connection question:
“Do any of the characters remind you of someone in your life?”
My Response:
“Trisha reminds me of my sister. She couldn’t wait to go to school and learn, too. She enjoyed doing arts and crafts, but she had a really hard time learning to spell. She got really frustrated and for a while stopped trying to learn how to spell. She thought everybody else was smarter than her. I wonder if Trisha will give up trying to read for a while like my sister gave up trying to spell for a while.”

8. Let’s review the asking questions chart.

9. These questions encourage readers to make connections with text will aid in your understanding of the story.
In addition, discussing these questions with other readers will help you to construct a deeper meaning of the text as you will have the opportunity to consider alternate perspectives.
Listen as I read the next two pages (pages 4 and 5) you will work with your elbow buddy to pose and respond to a connection question.
You may use chart as a reference.
Elaborate on your partner’s responses and encourage each other to use the text to support your responses.

10. Link
Today we learned how to ask and respond to questions that encourage us to make connections with the text.
As you read, think about these same questions to help you make connections to your story.
Consider asking questions from this chart when you work in your Literature Study group.