1. Reading Objectives: Close Reading
Unit: 1 Lesson: 4
Module: A
Objectives:
Identify key details in narrative nonfiction texts.
Make inferences about a person from his or her actions.
Today we will be doing a
Close Reading
of pages
Essential Questions:
How does a reader consider point of view?
How does a writer use experiences, narration, and description to compel a
reader?

2. First Read Let’s explore the text!
Focus on the photographs and think about what Sam might be doing or observing during this part of his research and what the tarantula might be doing.
Page through the selection to see how the text is supported by related photographs and captions.

3. Focus: What is the “gist” of the text?
Read Aloud Routine
Focus: What is the “gist” of the text?
As you read this section of the text focus on understanding what is happening as Sam observes the Goliath birdeater tarantula and its burrow.
Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are done with the reading:
• What details illustrate tarantulas’ neat, tidy habits?
• What details of the text show that much is unknown about tarantulas, even for a tarantula scientist like Sam?
• What questions do you have?

4. Second Read Focus on key details of the methods Sam uses to
observe the tarantula and its burrow and how the
tarantula responds.
Be prepared to discuss the following questions when you are done with the reading:
1. What do we learn about Sam from the methods he uses to get the
spider to come out if its burrow?
2. What does nightcrawler mean? What clues in the text tell you the meaning?
3. Look closely at the following sentence, “Sam discovers there are several chambers to the burrow.” What does chambers mean? Which clues in the paragraph help you understand what chambers means?
4. How does the Goliath respond to Sam’s attempts to capture it?

5. Focused Reading Vocabulary Routine: Text-Based Vocabulary prey, p. 8
predator, p. 8
vibrations, p. 9
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. 4 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal.*

6. Focused Reading
Small Group Discussion Routine
I see on p. 32 that Sam discovers something surprising about
the burrow while he’s digging. He discovers a new and very strange
tarantula that he hasn’t seen before. I think this helps me understand why
Sam decides to carefully dig even though he knows the spider isn’t happy
about it. His research leads to new scientific discoveries and can help
people learn more about spiders.
Identify important moments in Sam’s observation and the spider’s reaction to Sam’s actions.

7. Do you think it was right for Sam to dig into the Goliath’s burrow?
Focused Reading
Team Talk Routine
Do you think it was right for Sam to dig into the Goliath’s burrow?

8. Reading Analysis Craft and Structure
An author’s word choice helps readers visualize what
is being described and understand the author’s attitude toward the subject. Focus on how the author uses
figurative language to describe the tarantula and burrow.
Complete p. 7 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journals.

9. Reading Analysis Cite Text Evidence
Reread the third paragraph on p. 30, beginning with the
second sentence:
“Tarantulas are tidy little homemakers,’ Sam explains.”
1. What does the word “homemakers” mean?
2. How are tarantulas “homemakers”?
3. What does Sam’s statement reveal about his research?

10. Writing in Response to Reading
Independent Reading
Language Analysis
Work independently to identify other examples of figurative language used in the text and describe how they add to the overall meaning.
Writing in Response to Reading
Turn to page 5 in your Reader’s and Writer’s Journal and read the prompt: What reasons does the author give for Sam being a better captor than a coatimundi? Do you agree with the author? State your opinion and support it using text evidence.
Reading Wrap-Up
Share responses

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. Informative/Explanatory Writing
Objectives:
Develop a topic with concrete
details. W.4.2.b
Understand verb tenses. L.4.1

13. Writing Informative/Explanatory Writing
Developing a topic means elaborating on it or adding
detail to it to help readers understand it fully. Concrete
details are highly specific details that are often descriptive.
They make use of the five senses to help readers create
strong mental pictures. Good writers develop a topic with
concrete details that provide examples or that appeal to
the readers’ senses.

14. Writing Informative/Explanatory Writing
To develop a topic with concrete details,
take the following steps:
• Draw upon your five senses to illustrate important aspects of your
topic. For example, if you are writing an article about butterflies, you
might include details about one specific butterfly. Tell readers how it
looks (bright red) and how it flies (flutters from flower to flower).
• Include observations that the reader can relate to (I’m startled when the bright red butterfly flits into view).
• Be sure to relate your examples and observations concretely to your
topic. (The butterfly I saw is typical of most butterflies. Her color is
adaptive, and she relies on the nectar of flowers for food.)

15. Writing Analyze the Model
Notice descriptive details that help to support the idea that tarantulas are “tidy little homemakers.”

16. Writing Analyze the Model
Metaphors and similes compare two unlike things by indicating a similarity between them (similes by using like or as). Notice how the author uses a simile to help readers further picture tarantulas’ cleaning habits.

17. Conventions Focus: Simple Verb Tenses
Writing
Conventions Focus: Simple Verb Tenses
A verb is a word that expresses existence or an action. A tense is a form of a verb that indicates when the action occurs in time. Look at the following examples:
Past tense: The spider spun a mat of silk.
Present tense: The spider spins a mat of silk.
Future tense: The spider will spin a mat of silk..

18. Writing Independent Writing Write a paragraph about an animal you have
observed. Develop your topic with
concrete details. Remember to include vivid, specific
details that will paint a picture in
the reader’s mind.