Name: Carol Mutert
email address: Carol_Mutert@places.pinellas.k12.fl.us
School: Azalea Elementary
Date: June, 2000

Subject areas: Reading, Writing and Social Studies (Character Education)

Grade level: Fourth grade reading level, but level of interest could be 3rd through 6th

Approximate time of lesson: Two to four weeks depending on integration level of other subjects.

Description of lesson: Using the trade book, Thank You, Jackie Robinson, this unit will introduce the concepts of baseball, realtionships, a hero's character traits, and how sports are an important part of our society. This book shows how two people, who are different in age, ethnic background, and religion,can be brought together because of a common love for a sport . Through the trade book reading comprehension will be reinforce through recognizing character traits, using the different question types (using FL Write techniques to answer questions), sequence of events, conflict resolution, and cause and effect,which are all FCAT reading and writing strategies. The students will use a pocket folder to hold all their work until the end of the unit and their entire folder will be graded.

Gain attention: The introduction to this lesson will begin by brainstorming with all the students using the KWH technique (K= what do you know, W=what do you want to learn, H=how do you want to learn it) about baseball, realtionships and Jackie Robinson. Then discuss with the group that are going to read a book about a realtionship between a young, jewish boy and an older african american man that ties into Jackie Robinson and baseball.

Interactions:
Part one: *Do the Gain attention activity above either with total group or small groups of 4 students. Pass out folders for each students for them to put all their work done during this unit. *For preparation for the next activity go to Jackie Robinson site and print out the information to read to students. Give each student a index card (5x8). Tell the students they are to write down as many facts on the front of the cards that they hear and write down any opinions they hear on the back of the card while you read from the paper from the above site. After you have read the above. Discuss the information the students have written down. Have them place this index card in their lesson folder. For a seat assignments they are to take the information from their index card and do a writing on Jackie Robinson's characater. They are to use FL Write Expository format to complete this writing, on Explain why Jackie Robinson was famous. This writing is to be placed in their folder.
Part Two: Discuss that to go along with this unit the students will go on the internet and do baseball web quest during their independent computer time. When they finish this assignment they are to put it in their folder.

Thank you, Jackie Robinson, Read p. 7 -21.(total class or small groups) After reading these pages have the students go back to their seats and list the different character traits of Sammy, Davy, Sammy's mother and sisters. This is to be placed in their folders .

Read p. 22-bottom paragraph p. 32. Total Class read out loud. Discuss that baseball has changed a great deal over the year. Individually or in small group have them do "How Baseball Began" reading the sheet and answering the question sheet.

Read the bottom p.32 - bottom p.44. (individually or small group) The total class discuss the sequence of events that happen in this chapter. Have them list them on paper to place in folder.
Then discuss the importance of working as a team. In small groups brainstorm the characteristics of being a team. Then each group make a pennet naming their group a team name and listing the characteristics the group came up with. Make enough copies of the pennet for each group and have them place the copy in their folder. Display the originals in the classroom.

Read the bottom p. 44 - p. 56 Total class read out loud. Either individually or paired up, the students will answer the quetions for these pages. Then as a total class discuss the answers and have them make any corrections, if needed. Place the question sheet in their folder.
Have each student choose a professional baseball team and write a letter to them listing what their group had come up with on what makes up a good team. Use letter format. This could be done on the computer or by hand. The students can look up the address using the internet and team list.

Read p. 57- to middle p.68. The total class read out loud. Discuss as a class the problems that Sammy and Davy encounter on these pages. Each student list them on notebook paper and place in their folders.
Pass out the poem and tell them to start to memorize it. They will be asked to act out the poem in small groups later.

Read middle of p. 68 -82. Small group or individually read then list on paper the steps Sammy took to get Davy his gift. Place the step list in folder.
In small groups play the math baseball game.

Read p.83 - 94 Read individually or in pairs. On paper write in papragraph form, why Davy's gift was so special. Place this writing in folder.
Put the students in groups of 4 or 5 and give them time to practice the poem you passed out before. Have them act out the poem in front of their class or perform for other classes. Have the student write a reflection on how they felt they and their group did acting out the poem.

Read p. 95-110. The total class read out loud. On paper have them describe Elliot's plan to get Sammy into see Davy. Have the student choose one of the writing activities to do following the FL write format when appropriate. Then have them place it in their folder.

Read p. 111 - 125. Read in small group or out loud to class. Discuss with class what happen at the funeral and how they think Sammy must be feeling. Have the students write about their feelings about the funeral and what Sammy went through for Davy.
Total class brainstorm a list of the most important events in the book. Put the list on chart paper and let the students choose one. Then tell them they are to make a diorama of that event for their final project. Before they start the Diorama they must submit a description of their plan including why they chosed that particular event.

**All written work will be placed in a folder and the above assessment will be used to determine the grade. Grades may also be added for reading or class/group participation.