MindWing Concepts Blog

The “Who Would Win…” books are interesting in themselves since they present lots of information on the two animals presented when competing with each other. The outcome is an evaluation of evidence—some descriptive, some cause/effect, some problem/solution—that helps the reader to form an opinion as to: Who would win, it the two were opposing each other in the wild. Even though the information could be presented in a science text book, the presentation of facts is consolidated by pictures, embedded boxes such as Fun Facts and Did You Know? Structurally, the pages referring to contrasts between the animals are opposite each other, allowing the reader, or listener, to view both animals as descriptive...

Today’s mini-lesson contains TWO FREE LESSONS. It contains a personal narrative interaction between Maryellen and Casey using the SGM® manipulative and mini-magnets (one lesson). Since it is Patriot’s Day, celebrated as a holiday in Massachusetts and Maine on Monday, we have provided a handout regarding the content of “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (a second lesson). Patriot’s Day is usually the run of the Boston Marathon. The Marathon will be held this year in September, 2020 due to the effects of the COVID10 pandemic on gatherings and functions. Also the Boston Red Sox usually have a home game on that day as well at Fenway Park. It will not be played...

Continuing our lessons on information text, I would like to feature Dr. Seuss’ book about the Spring Season, “Spring Seasons.” In it is a listing of many things that are spring! Seuss’ characters, Thing 1 and Thing 2, are present on each page as they show elements of the Spring Season. The final page is an illustration of all things spring. We also discuss “Wonderful Worms, ”Glaser/Krupinski...

Today I want to show how authors always include information in their stories. We should look for it as we read. For instance, the information for the setting is a time and a place…BUT…what is happening at that time in that place is the important part for a story! The timing of a kick-off and how characters in the setting respond to the kick-off through feelings, thoughts, words and actions is finalized when the character makes a plan. How things turn out as a consequence depends on the actions (attempts) to carry out the plan and whether the plan is realized. I used the book, Are You Ready To Play Outside? by Mo Willems. This book is part of a series starring Gerald the Elephant and Piggy, the pig! I noted in my mini-lesson that you might want to look at this book for the concept that kick-offs (the rain) often occur gradually in many situations...