Opal Teacher Edition

Selection Summary is a convenient synopsis of the selection that will serve as a good memory aid as you return to the selection each time you teach it.

Getting Started will make it easier for you to begin a dialogue with your students regarding the selection they are about to read. An activity, a question, or intriguing information enables the teacher to generate broader student interest. Often Getting Started is an aural exercise that will help students hone their listening skills.

Blueprint for Reading

Into the Selection parallels textbook material and both clarifies and elaborates upon the discussion of theme. It serves as a guide to helping students analyze thematic content. Theme may be very difficult for many young readers. This fuller explanation enables you to point to specific thematic elements in the selection.

Eyes On narrows attention to the featured literary component, and expands the discussion of writing, style, tone, and language. Here you will find insightful teaching hints and thoughtful questions. Eyes On helps your students understand the target skill being taught.

Literary Components are a strong lesson tool. Numbers in the margins of the selection text refer teachers to a listing and explanation of the literary component. The numbered, underlined text includes figures of speech, imagery, language, and style, as well as such features as point of view, plot, characterization, setting, atmosphere, foreshadowing, conflict, suspense, rising and falling action, climax, resolution, dialogue, diction, irony, humorous juxtaposition, literary reference, citing authority, and so forth. Often, the Literary Components serve as a way to explain a sophisticated point to the educator, so that in turn, it can be clearly explained to the student.

Guiding the Reading is a page-for-page listing of literal questions requiring factual recall of the text and analytical questions needing deeper reflection.

Studying the Selection

First Impressions suggests possible responses to the question posed in the textbook. Quick Review and Focus have detailed answers to the questions in the textbook. Helpful material is included for productive class instruction.

Creating and Writing is the final review element in the textbook. The first activity requires creative writing grounded in the theme of the selection and the final activity is non-literate (a work of art, a charitable activity, a fieldwork project, for example).

About the Poem provides thoughtful material essential to teaching the poem.