Title:  Introduction

Grade Level:  3

Subject:  Language Arts

Learner Outcomes:
    1.  The learner will investigate Russia and record findings.
    2.  The learner will predict the contents of the book by inspecting the cover and table of contents.
    3.  The learner will record information into their Reading Notebook.

Duration of Lesson:  3 - 50 minute sessions

Materials:  multiple copies of Molly's Pilgrim (one per student), pocket portfolios with paper, coloring materials (colored pencils, markers, and/or crayons), overhead transparencies, overhead projector pens, KWL chart, General Information Question Sheet

Technology Tools/Courseware:  multimedia computers (one per group of two or three students) with internet access, overhead projector

Teacher Notes:  Review acceptable use policy and monitor students closely on computers

Procedures:
    1.  Tell the class that they are going to read Molly's Pilgrim, by Barbara Cohen.  Distribute books and allow the students to preview the  book by inspecting the cover and table of contents.  Ask them what they feel the story is going to entail.  Distribute pocket portfolios and instruct them that this is going to be their Reading Notebook for the unit.  On the first page of the notebook, the students need to draw and color a picture of based on their predictions.  Somewhere on the page they should include the name of the book and the author.

    2.  Use a KWL chart to investigate the students' knowledge of Russia.  (Teacher should complete KWL chart on overhead projector for the students to copy on above sheet.)  Place student KWL sheet in Reading Notebook.

    3.  Break the students into groups (2 - 3 students per group) and instruct them to search the internet for background information about Russia. See web sites below in resources or use the search engine yahooligans.com

    4.  When information is located they need to record information on worksheet, then place in Reading Notebook.

Modifications:  Use peer tutors, Title I teacher, and/or Special Education teacher as needed for children with special needs.

Enrichment Activities:
      1.  Investigate immigration either from the past or present.
      2.  Investigate Thanksgiving.

Evaluation and Assessment:
    1.  Student participation.
    2.  Completion of Reading Notebook activities.
    3.  Teacher observation.

WV State IGO's:
    Language Arts:  3.3, 3.18, 3.23, 3.28, 3.37, 3.38, 3.40, 3.46, 3.57, 3.58, 3.71, 3.74, 3.78, 3.79, 3.81, 3.84

National Standards

Resources:
A Guide for Using Molly's Pilgrim in the Classroom by Susan Kilpatrick
KWL Chart
Russian Information Worksheet
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rs.html
http://www.algonet.se/~bernadot/christmas/9.html
http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/resources/ngo/maps/view/images.russian.jpg
http://www.yahooligans.com

Authors:  Twila George, Mary Lindley, & Cathern Reeves