2. TODAY WE WILL…. Analyze story structure Find and evaluate a storys theme Use academic language: story structure, theme

3. downtown The main, or lower, part of a city appliances Machines that are used in homes owners People to whom something belongs construction The act of building something equipment includes tools and materials needed to do a job leaky Something that has a hole in it so that water passes through it

4. A storys structure is made up of: Plot: the events that take place in the story Characters: who is in the story Setting: Where the story takes place In most plots, the characters face a problem they must solve. Identifying the story structure helps you understand what you read. It also helps you figure out the theme of the story.

5. The theme is the main idea of what an author wants to tell a reader. Sometimes the author tell us what the theme is, but sometimes we have to figure it out ourselves. We do this by looking carefully at the story structure, including events in the story and the way the characters act. Some common themes include the importance of friendship, the need for courage when facing danger, and accepting people who are different from us.

6. When I say Go, take 1 minute to preview the illustrations. Ask yourself: What do you think this story is about? Where will the setting be? On your index card, write your predictions. After we listen to the selection, we will see if your questions were answered.

7. Read to find out… What is the theme of this story? NOW…you will read along as we listen to….

9. Share with your criss-cross/shoulder partner your questions. Were they answered? Were you able to make and confirm your predictions about the character and events in this story? TOMORROW WE WILL… Use our sequence chart to answer our Comprehension Check questions on page 315.

10. The family in this story worked hard for their house. Have you every worked hard to get something you wanted? What was it? Lets Share!