Elementary Library

Step 1: Instruct & Read Aloud Say: In reading, a connection between texts is when one thing in a story reminds you or helps you understand the other. We have two books today that we are going to use to make connections. [Show books and let students choose which book to read first.]

Read the first book with the discussion guide. Model by making connections to other books you have read that students may be familiar with as you read.

Movement break, if necessary.

Step 2: Read Aloud Second Story & Model Making Connections Show a paper chain and remind students that we are making connections between the two books. Introduce sentence frames (choose how many will work for your class):

●​ This character reminds me of ______________ because _______________. ●​ This book is like ______________ because __________________. ●​ Both books ______________________. ●​ These books are different because ___________________. ●​ The idea in this book reminds me of ________________________.

Read the second book with the discussion guide. Model using the sentence frames. Choose a few moments of obvious connection in the texts to give students time to practice making those connections with a partner and share to the whole group.

Step 3: Students Write Connections Say: Our learning grows like a paper chain when we make text-to-text connections while we read. Here are slips of paper - everyone can take a few moments to write or draw a connection and we will link them together to show how much we learned together today. Pass out paper slips, writing, and coloring supplies. Set a timer for students to finish their work by. Move about the room and assist students as necessary. Connect links together as soon as they are finished to build the chain in real time, or save them all for later to show next week. Gather students to see their work and learning. Review “I can” statements and ask students for thumbs up or thumbs down if they think they mastered today’s learning. Dismiss for circulation. READER’S ADVISORY, CIRCULATION PROCEDURES & DISMISSAL Ask a few students during check out if they can describe a connection and why it’s important to make them while reading.

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