"I WONDER" WHEEL

Generating questions for expository texts

Before reading a nonfiction passage or book, have each student draw a large circle on a sheet of blank paper. Then have him draw a smaller circle in the middle of the larger one. Direct the student to write the topic of the book in the small circle; then have him draw five lines (spokes) from the circle as shown. After previewing the text, guide the child to write a question in each wheel section, starting each question with the words "I wonder." Have the child read the assigned text and then record the answers he found or inferred from the text in the corresponding spaces. If he is unable to answer a question, direct him to write "not found" in the space.

CHAIN OF EVENTS

Cause and effect

Give each small group a cause statement, such as "I left my lunch at home" or "I found ten dollars in my pocket." Guide the students to discuss and list on a sheet of paper a chain of effects that could occur as a result of the event. Next, have students use a different-colored crayon or marker to box in each cause-and-effect pair, overlapping colors as needed. Then have a member of each group read aloud the cause-and-effect statements while the rest of his group acts out each one. Lead students to understand that the effect of one event can actually cause another event to occur, thus creating a story.

MOVING ALONG

Word skills review

This variation on the Around the World game helps students review word skills. In advance, program a word or word part on each of a supply of index cards. To play, have one student stand near another student, then flash a card. The first of the two students to correctly read the word or word part advances, moving to stand near the next child on his right. Continue play in this manner as time allows.