1. Unit 2: Reading Fiction Strategically
Everything in RED font needs to be copied into your Reader’s Notebook!!
Put the date at the top of a new sheet!

2. Inspirational Quote: Glue in Notebook
Session 2: How can we identify and connect important details?
Inspirational Quote: Glue in Notebook
“Beware of the man who won’t be bothered with details.” -William Feather

3. Teaching point
Readers use strategies to understand the central idea of the story. They identify important details and connect those details throughout a story.

4. Before we begin, make sure we realize that:
Important details are actions, dialogue, or description that reveals the event. It might reveal character or motivation.

5. Please take out, “The Wallet”
“The Wallet.” Review details like:
“Tired of losing his wallet to pickpockets,”
“All pearl no oyster,”
“the father running toward an exit, and laughing while yelling to drive fast”
All add up to tell the reader about a man who is having fun getting back at the pickpockets who have caused him grief in the past.
How does the author convey character motivation?

6. Re-read “The Flu”
Re-read “The Flu” looking for how the character has changed physically.
Aldo’s comment, “Everybody should get so sick,” and Aldo’s answer, “It all started with the flu” are all important details that help the reader to understand the meaning.
Together, these details tell us that Faye’s sudden physical transformation made Aldo take notice of her and eventually fall in love with her

7. “Fear” by Gary Soto Let’s read the first third together
Task: Stop at the key details and discuss.
How do you know it’s important?
All events, actions, and dialogue are not created equal. Good readers notice important details as they read.

8. Active Engagement
Read the next section of “Fear” with a partner and highlight or underline what they think are important details.
Report Out

9. Independent Practice
Continue to read “Fear” and identify important details that they highlight or underline as they read.
Report out as a class: What are the most important details?
Connect the details to discover what the central idea is.
how connecting the details helped them to understand the meaning or the central idea

10. Something to ponder… ?
How does connecting the details help you understand the meaning or the central idea?

11. Homework
Read and annotate (using UHS annotation handout) looking for details that show the main idea.
Connect the key details in order to figure out the meaning or central idea of the story and write it in a sentence or two