Last Monday, SJ had his weekly reading tutoring session. Mrs. Banks said that SJ was slow to get motivated. She said he seemed tired, but after a few minutes she said he began to work for her. She started off the session with a short story that SJ had to answer questions on. It was about Thanksgiving. "Why aren't we doing Halloween anymore?" he asked her. "Halloween is over. It is time to move on," she told him. This is the story.
Derek and the Turkey
by Brenda B. Covert
Derek's family owned the Green Valley Turkey Farm. The farm was a small one. Derek had to help raise the turkeys. They were so big and loud and ugly! Why couldn't they raise something small and quiet and pretty-like cardinals?
"Because nobody wants to eat a cardinal," Farmer Don said in a no-nonsense kind of voice.
There was one young turkey in the pen that followed Derek. If Derek had to sweep out the pen, the bird was behind him. If he had to fill a pan with feed, the bird was right beside him. If he was daydreaming, the bird was in front of him looking up in a questioning sort of way.
As Thanksgiving approached...
Then SJ had to answer the following questions.
1. What could be the best thing about owning a turkey farm? Making money, lots of food
2. What would be the worst thing about owning a turkey farm? Feeding violent turkeys
3. List three things that Derek might daydream about. Birds not following him, no going to school and no more rules.
4. What is special about the turkey that follows Derek? The turkey likes Derek.
5. What happens to the young turkey? The turkey will die at Thanksgiving.
Next, Mrs. Banks asked him if he wanted to something easy or hard. He choose something easy. He had to find 10 hidden feathers in a Thanksgiving picture. She said he did this easily and was ready to move on to something more challenging.
They worked on another reader's theater. It was Duck for President. He was excited, because he knew this story. He told Mrs. Banks that he knew Duck was from Click, Clack, Moo, which is one of his favorites. They went through the play and talked about it. SJ later told me that Duck should just be a duck, since that is much easier than being President. I agreed!
Lastly, they worked on Persuasive Writing. Mrs. Banks had SJ write a letter to us, which she scribed. This is what he wrote:
Dear Parents,
I wish I had a TV in my room. I am a good boy. I remember to do my chores. My chores are cleaning my bedroom, brushing my teeth, taking out the trash and put my dirty clothes in the hamper.
I do work at school which helps me get good grades on my report card. I remember to do my homework. I do not swear at school or home. I do not get detention because I am good.
I am old enough to have a TV in my room. The rule is you must be 10 and I am 10 1/2 years old. Bob got his TV when he turned 10 in 4th grade. Bob is rude many times and I am not rude. We both do our chores and get good grades.
I would play video games on my TV and watch videos. I would do my chores every day and be good. I would do my homework first.
Sincerely,
SJ
That was a great persuasive letter. I may have to really think about getting him a TV (or at least asking Santa for one!) Although this isn’t technically reading, I am thrilled that she is working on this with him. This is one of the hardest things for SJ to do.
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