The Surprise Box by Francis Robin Fiction INTRODUCE THE BOOK RESPOND Activate Prior Knowledge/Build Background Read the title, and ask children what the little girl in the cover is doing Ask: Did you ever save something special? Where could you put special things? Tell children this book is about the special things a little girl saves in a box Answers to the Reader’s Inside Back Cover: Preview/Use Text Features Preview the reader by talking about the illustrations together and naming the labeled items Preteach Vocabulary Review the highfrequency words that appear in this book: surprise and gives Introduce these key words from the book: box (p 1), special (p 3), and wraps (p 7) Discuss these words and add them to a Word Wall READ THE BOOK Choose among these options for reading to support children at all English proficiency levels Read Aloud Read the book aloud as children follow along Pause to verify comprehension and to explain unfamiliar concepts Monitored Reading Have children read aloud a few pages at a time Use the following questions to support comprehension: • Pages 2–3 What does Marta put in the box first? (Marta puts a butterfly wing in her box first.) • Pages 4–5 What does she put in the box next? (Next she puts a ribbon and a star in her box.) • Pages 6–7 What does Marta with the box? (She wraps it and gives it to her big sister.) • Page How does Marta’s sister feel about the box? (She is happy.) © Scott Foresman ELL Reader 1.4.1 Talk About It She loves her big sister (Cause and Effect) Possible response: She will probably gather new things (Make Inferences) Write About It Children should draw a picture and write about a surprise they would want to give someone Possible response: I want to give my drawing to my mother Support writers at various English proficiency levels Beginning Encourage children to label their drawing with To and From Help them write the name of the recipient Intermediate Encourage children to first tell a partner what they would give someone and why they chose that person as a recipient Then have them write a sentence about their surprise Advanced Have children describe what they want to give and to whom Extend Language Answers will vary, but encourage children to look through the book and follow this model: The butterfly wing is _ Answers to page 38: Children should draw a butterfly wing, a star, and a ribbon Family Link Read aloud the Family Link activity on page 38 before sending copies of the Study Guide home with children Later, have them share the contents of their family surprise box Reread Have children reread the book with a partner, in small groups, or independently Have them complete the Study Guide on page 38 ELL Readers Teaching Guide Unit 4, Week The Surprise Box 37 Study Guide The Surprise Box Name • Read The Surprise Box again • What things does Marta put in the box? Draw them inside this box Family Link © Scott Foresman Get a small box With your family, look around the house Put three special things inside the box 38 The Surprise Box Unit 4, Week ELL Readers Teaching Guide ...Study Guide The Surprise Box Name • Read The Surprise Box again • What things does Marta put in the box? Draw them inside this box Family Link © Scott Foresman Get a small box With your family,... Scott Foresman Get a small box With your family, look around the house Put three special things inside the box 38 The Surprise Box Unit 4, Week ELL Readers Teaching Guide