The instructional sequence given in Masters, Mori, & Mori (1993)
will be elaborated upon through the use of the above resource:
(This can be done as an individual or group activity.)
1. Select a word central to the topic.
For this book, the central word of the topic will be
WHALE.
2. Display the target word.
Display the word WHALE.
3. Invite the student to generate as many words
as possible that
relate to the target word.
As students brainstorm, record the words on a chart
or on the chalkboard.
the
4. Have the students write the generated words
in categories.
After all the brainstorming has taken place, discuss how
the information could be placed into categories. For
instance, each different whale could have its own group
and add information to each group afterwards.
5. Have the student label categories.
Label and add extra information to each category.
6. From this list, construct a map.
7. Lead the class in a discussion that focuses
on identifying
meanings and uses of words, clarifying ideas, highlighting
major conclusions, identifying key elements, expanding ideas,
and summarizing information. Various ideas and elements of
the story may need elaboration. This could be done during
the brainstorming/classifying activity or afterwards. A
summarizing activity could be completed whereby the student
writes or creates a project about the story.
