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Shannon Wright
Gabby Solves The Glitter Pen Problem
Follow along as Gabby helps two best friends learn how to apologize.
By Lindsey Owen
From the March/April 2022 Issue
Lexiles: 510L
Guided Reading Level: M
DRA Level: 20-24
Featured Skill:
Use Visuals,
Topic:
Social-emotional learning,
Common Core Standards
About the Story
ELA Focus
Features of graphic novels
CASEL Social and Emotional Learning Focus
Responsible decision making: Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one’s actions
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
1. BEFORE READING
"What’s in a Comic?”
- This video teaches kids about the features of a comic.
- Before watching, tell kids to look out for four features they might find in a comic.
- After watching, ask for kids’ help to fill out a list of comic features on chart paper. The features mentioned in the video are panels, speech bubbles, thought bubbles, and onomatopoeia.
- Tell kids to look for those features in the mini graphic novel. They can fill in our “Comic Features Hunt” skills sheet after reading.
Set a Purpose for Reading (5 minutes)
- Open your magazines to “Gabby Solves the Glitter Pen Problem.” Ask kids: What kind of story is this? (a comic, or a mini graphic novel)
- Next, read the Think and Read prompt on page 13: “As you read, think about: How would you feel if someone were careless with your things?” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.
2. READ THE STORY (10-15 MINUTES)
- Kids can read this story individually, in small groups, or as a class.
- As they read, ask kids to note who is being a good friend and when.
3. AFTER READING
Extend the Story With an Activity (20 minutes)
- Kids can “finish” the story with the “What Happens Next?” printable. They’ll fill in the voice bubbles for the characters and create their own comic panel.
- This activity helps develop the skill of making inferences.
Assessment: Quiz (10 minutes)
- Pass out the quiz to assess comprehension of the article.
- We also offer a lower-level quiz.
- Both quizzes are now available in multiple-choice and written-answer formats.
ELA Focus: Comic Feature Hunt (10 minutes)
- Pass out the Comic Feature Hunt printable.
- Kids can use the mini graphic novel to fill it out and learn about the different features of comics/ graphic novels.
Independent Learning: Slide Deck Lesson Plan (30-40 minutes)
- Our Slide Deck Lesson Plan can be done by students independently at home or during center time.
- Look in your Resources section for the “Slide Lesson.” It’s a self-contained group of slides that guide your students through the mini graphic novel.
- This easy-to-use group of Google Slides walks your students through reading the story independently, answering three questions after reading, and then recording the features of a comic they found.
- It’s a simple way to take the resources we have already created and put them in one place so you don’t have to create anything new!
Text-to-Speech