Feelings and Predictions: The Paper Bag Princess
Grade: 2 and 4 Subject: Literature, Reading Comprehension, Writing Time: 2 class periods
Literature: The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch.
Learning Objectives
- Identify a character's situation, feelings, actions, and motivations.
- Make a reasonable prediction using details from the text or illustrations.
- Write or draw an alternative ending that is consistent with the story.
- Use descriptive words to communicate a character, setting, or event.
Procedure
- Before reading: Show a neutral picture and model noticing what is visible before making an inference about how a person might feel. Explain that a picture does not provide enough information to know everything about a person's inner thoughts.
- Read: Pause at a teacher-selected point in the story. Ask students to predict what may happen next and cite a detail supporting the prediction.
- Alternative ending: Grade 2 draws or dictates an ending. Grade 4 writes an ending with a clear sequence and supporting details.
- Descriptive language: Students build a word bank around a picture or story scene. Sort words by character, setting, action, or feeling.
- Optional dramatization: Students may act out a fictional scene. Narration, puppets, or seated reading may be used instead.
Assessment
Grade 2: prediction is connected to the story and includes a plausible event. Grade 4: prediction and alternative ending are supported by story details and use descriptive language.
Reading Support
Use before-during-after questions, explicit modeling of how to make a prediction, sentence frames, and repeated opportunities to explain reasoning. IES/WWC recommends modeling inferential and narrative language and giving students opportunities to predict, summarize, and explain their thinking during reading activities. citeturn0search0turn0search13