Development of Literacy Skills for 2nd Grade

To Educators:

As students begin to explore a wider range of literature, it is important that students develop comprehension skills to express their understanding and knowledge of books. In the following second grade lesson, students will watch a video on a picture book and be asked to answer questions about the main topics discussed in the book. The lesson dives into a students deeper understanding of a text to test their comprehension skills.

Student Learning Objectives: Foundational Skills

2R1: Develop and answer questions to demonstrate an understanding of key ideas and details in a text. (RI&RL) 

2R2: Identify a main topic or central idea and retell key details in a text; summarize portions of a text. (RI&RL)

Students will answer 3 discussion question to identify key details in a text.

Students will identify the main idea of a text.

In today’s class, we will be reading, “A Bad Case of Stripes” by David Shannon. Write down possible predictions about the book based on the cover and then click on the video below. Pay attention to what is happening during the book.

Now after watching the video, discuss with a classmate or write down what happened in the story. Answer the following questions.

1. How do you think Camilla feels at the beginning of the story when she develops, “a bad case of stripes”?
2. What happens when Camilla goes to school with “a bad case of stripes”?
3. How does Camilla get rid of “a bad case of stripes”?

Today we will be discussing the main idea or key ideas of a story. The main idea is the message that authors are showing the reader. Think of it as, “What message or messages does the author want me to learn?” Watch the following video below to learn about the main idea of the story.

After reading “A Bad Case of Stripes” and the video on main idea, write down what you think the main idea of the story is.

The main idea in the story is that it’s okay to be different and be yourself. In the story, the main character, Camilla, tries to change herself to better fit in at school. Camilla begins to turn crazy colors or even into different objects. Not until Camilla resorts to having lima beans, her favorite food, does she turn back into herself. When Camilla accepts to eat lima beans even though she was made fun of by her friends for loving them, she is learning that it’s okay to be different. Camilla accepts that she indeed loves lima beans and to be herself. The story is about acceptance.

Now compare and contrast your answer and reflect. Did you write down a similar main idea?

For homework, select a book. Write down the book and author of the book chosen. Read the text and write down what the story is about. Then write down the main idea or key details from the book. Think about what the author wants you to learn.

Please feel free to ask any questions!