1. Clay Marbles, Aleksei, and Me
By Kathleen Brown
Grades 4-5

2. Jacob’s Ladder Objectives Habits of Mind
Tier 1 Story
Jacob’s Ladder Objectives
Habits of Mind

10. Students will be able:
Ladder B
B1-Details-To list specific details or recall facts related to the text or generate a list about a specific topic or character.
B2-Classifications-To categorize different aspects of the text or identify categories from a list of topics or details.
B3-Generalizations-To make general statements about the reading or an idea in the reading and use data to support statements.
Ladder C
C1-Literary Elements-To identify and explain specific story elements such as character, setting, or poetic-device.
C2-Inference-To use textual clues to read between the lines and make judgments about specific textual events, ideas, or character analysis.
C3-Theme/Concept-To identify a major idea or theme common in the text.

11. Habits of Mind
Thinking about Thinking
Thinking Flexibly
Imagining, Creating, Innovating

12. (Discussion) High Level Strategies with Ladder B & C Questions
Tier 2 Rigor
(Discussion)
High Level Strategies with
Ladder B & C Questions

13. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around; Complete 2 of 3 questions.
B1 Details—Describe the characters of the story giving detailed qualities of each: The Narrator, Rasputin, Faberge.
B2 Classifications—Using a graphic organizer compare and contrast the character qualities of The Narrator, Rasputin, Faberge.
C2 Inference—If given the opportunity do you think the narrator would rejoin the family? Use evidence from the story to support your answer.

14. (Discussion) High Level Strategies with Ladder B & C Questions
Tier 3 Rigor
(Discussion)
High Level Strategies with
Ladder B & C Questions

15. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around; Complete 2 of 3 questions.
B3 Generalizations—What generalizations can you make about the type of person the narrator is?
C1 Literary Elements—What do you know about Aleksei from the story? What do you know about his family? Support your answer.
C3 Theme/Concept—What are some of the main ideas explored in the story? What evidence can you find to support your answer?

16. Tier 4 Reflections/Relevance

17. Choose one of the writing activities to complete. Be creative.
Scenario: Infer that the narrator rejoins the Romanoff family and is asked to accompany Aleksei on a vacation. Where do they go? What do they see? And who do they meet? Keep a journal of the vacation.
2. Research Imperial Eggs and Faberge. To focus on a theme of friendship design 4 different eggs with 4 different surprises inside that represent four different parts of the world. Tell a story about the eggs to Aleksei.