Mini Lesson – Nonfiction Read-Aloud

* Hooked on Books (Towell, 2010, p. 285)

Topic: Reading comprehension Grade: 1st – 3rd grades Time: 60 minutes Book Title: Bentley Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin Illustrator: Mary Azarian Written by: Michele Berg

Martin, J. (1998). Snowflake Bentley. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. (Winner of the Caldecott Medal,1999)

Synopsis: This is a true story of a farm boy named Wilson Bentley who had a passion for . He dreamed about sharing with the world the beauty of these crystals. A self-taught scientist-researcher, Wilson Bentley studied snowflakes. As he grew older, his parents purchased a camera for him and Wilson furthered his quest of learning about the small miracles. Wilson Bentley taught us that no two snowflakes are alike and each has its own beauty.

Objective: The student will (TSW) be able to write six items about what he or she learned after hearing Snowflake Bentley read aloud with modeled Think-Alouds.

1. Before Reading (15 minutes) Brainstorm with the children a list of words they connect to . Some questions to illicit responses: “What is snow? Where does snow fall? Where does it not fall and why? Do snowflakes have a shape? What experiences have you had with snow?” Before reading the story, ask the students to make predictions based on the book cover’s illustration.

2. During Reading (25 minutes) While reading the book, stop at appropriate points to model Think-Alouds (when the teacher describes what she is thinking) and talking points. The teacher shares her answers and opinions after listening to the students’ responses. Here are some ideas:

Page 3: Is snow as beautiful as butterflies and apple blossoms? Page 5: Why was Wilson unable to share snowflakes with his family? Page 6: What is a microscope? (Perhaps have an example to show the students.) Page 8: Do you think all snowflakes look alike? Page 11: Why did Wilson’s parents spend their life savings on a camera for him? Page 12: This picture looks familiar. Where did I see it first? Page 14: Why did Wilson keep trying when at first his pictures failed? Page 19: Before reading this page, ask the students what problems they think Wilson would encounter while trying to take the perfect picture. Page 24: Ask the students why Wilson was considered a scientist.

3. After Reading (20 minutes) After reading Wilson’s quote on page 30, ask the students to reflect on it and what they learned from the book. Share with the students Wilson Bentley’s snowflake pictures online at Bentley Snow Crystal Collection at the Buffalo Museum of Science http://www.bentley.sciencebuff.org/. Then, have the students complete the six-pointed snowflake organizer with what they have learned.

Websites:

Jericho Historical Society http://www.snowflakebentley.com/

Bentley Snow Crystal Collection at the Buffalo Museum of Science http://www.bentley.sciencebuff.org/

Nashua School District http://www.nashua.edu/novakc/Snowflake/snowflake1.htm