Endangered Species

Lara Dale, Steve Gough,

Stacey Burke, and Julia Sherrill


 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Section Six - Journey of the Nightly Jaguar by Burton Albert pp.1-28

Jaguar

This simply worded yet illustrative picture book tells about the legend of the jaguar, as according to Mayan myth.  As the sun goes down, the nightly jaguar comes alive.  That is when he creeps through the night, stalking, watching, and waiting.  He roams through the jungle, along crocodile infested river banks, and up into the canopies of the tallest trees.  And then, when the glory of the sun peaks it's red rays over the horizon, the jaguar once again secludes himself...until the setting of that same sun.
 
 

Discussion Director
The discussion director’s job is to develop questions for the group members to discuss about this section of the book.  The focus is on important ideas and issues in this section and designing questions that address them.

Your job is to ask the following types of questions:

1 Setting

1 Main Idea

1 Figurative Language

2 MCEOG
 
 

Passage Picker

The Passage Picker's job is to select significant passages from the selections being read; determine why those passages are important; call other group member's attention to the passage; and lead a discussion about the passage.
   Steps:
        1.    Pick out a passage you would like to share.
        2.    Write down the page and paragraph number.
        3.    Write down the first two words and the last two words of your passage.
        4.    Write down the reason you chose the passage, and explain why!  (Descriptive, surprising, it contains figurative language, or it is  important)
        5.    Ask a question about your passage, and give an answer.
        6.    Write down the Author’s Purpose:  To Describe, To Entertain, To Inform, or To Persuade

Your job is to choose:

1 passage containing figurative language

2 descriptive passages

1 informative passage
 
 

Word Wizard
The Word Wizard's job is to search the section being read for words that are key to understanding what is happening in the story; note the page and sentence where it can be found; check the dictionary meaning of the word; lead a discussion about the meaning and intent of the word from context and what the word contributes to the importance of the passage.
Steps:
    1.  Write down the word, the page and paragraph number.
    2.  Copy the sentence from the book in which the word appears.
    3.  Write down the part of speech the word is in (noun, verb, adjective, or adverb) and what you think the word means.
    4.  Using the context clues from the sentence and the dictionary definition, write in your own words the
        definition of the word.
    5.  Tell how this word adds meaning to the story.
    6.  Make your Word Wizard card.  Be sure to include in big print, your word and the page and paragraph
        number.  On the other side of the card should be a picture, the word, and the definition of the word.

Your words are:

ebony - p.7 par.1

windsongs - p.8 par.1

luring - p.10 par.1

cascades - p.11 par.1
 
 

Character Sketcher
The Character Sketcher's job is to develop a character map of major characters in the section of text being read.
Steps:
1.  Pick out a character that interests you.  Choose three words to describe this character.  These should be implied character traits; that is, they are not directly stated within the text.
2.  For each trait, you will give proof (an example) from the book (write down page and paragraph).
3.  Write out the character's goal, problem, and solution (page and paragraph).
4.  Last, you will draw a picture of your character.

Your character for this job is the Jaguar
 
 

Activity Activator

Your job is to design a graphic organizer to go with the story.

Examples could include:

Story Map

K-W-L

Plot Chart

Character Map

Venn Diagram
 
 

 Click here to return to lesson index.