Module 36: Perseverance-Language Arts 3 - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this module, learners explore perseverance through fiction and examine how characters respond to challenges. They will use context clues, story elements, themes, and text evidence to deepen their understanding while practicing complex sentences and subject-verb agreement. Learners will also write, revise, edit, and publish an opinion essay while developing cursive writing and reading fluency.

Module Materials:

Lesson # Lesson Title Material(s)
1 36.1 Perseverance timer
Language Arts Notebook
highlighters (assorted colors)
<em>Thank You, Mr. Falker</em> by Patricia Polacco
<em>The Junkyard Wonders</em> by Patricia Polacco
2 36.2 Perseverance Language Arts Notebook
<em>Thank You, Mr. Falker</em> by Patricia Polacco
<em>The Junkyard Wonders</em> by Patricia Polacco
3 36.3 Perseverance timer
Language Arts Notebook
highlighters (assorted colors)
<em>Thank You, Mr. Falker</em> by Patricia Polacco
<em>The Junkyard Wonders</em> by Patricia Polacco
4 36.4 Perseverance Language Arts Notebook
<em>Thank You, Mr. Falker</em> by Patricia Polacco
<em>The Junkyard Wonders</em> by Patricia Polacco
5 36.5 Perseverance Language Arts Notebook
<em>Thank You, Mr. Falker</em> by Patricia Polacco
<em>The Junkyard Wonders</em> by Patricia Polacco

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 36.1 Perseverance
  1. Use context clues to find the definitions of vocabulary words.
  2. Identify the problem and solution in a story.
  3. Construct a complex sentence by combining an independent clause and a dependent clause with correct subject-verb agreement.
  4. Use a graphic organizer to plan an opinion essay.
2 36.2 Perseverance
  1. Summarize the setting and plot of a story.
  2. Revise complex sentences for subject-verb agreement across clauses.
  3. Construct an opinion essay.
  4. Demonstrate proper cursive connections to write a paragraph.
3 36.3 Perseverance
  1. Identify the theme of a story.
  2. Analyze complex sentences to determine whether subjects and verbs agree in independent and subordinate clauses.
  3. Revise an opinion essay.
  4. Demonstrate fluency by reading grade-level text.
4 36.4 Perseverance
  1. Compare the theme across two stories.
  2. Construct complex sentences.
  3. Analyze and explain editing choices to improve writing.
5 36.5 Perseverance
  1. Cite evidence to answer comprehension questions about two stories.
  2. Revise a paragraph for complex sentences.
  3. Create a published version of their opinion essay.

Module Key Words:

Key Words Spelling Words Vocabulary Words
context clue
fluency
graphic organizer
complex sentence
independent clause
dependent clause
subordinating conjunction
rough draft
revise
edit
publish
 Review Week
 coward
spoil
loyal
limit
border
rate

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title

Learning Coach Notes:

Lesson # Lesson Title Notes
1 36.1 Perseverance Learning Coaches can help learners understand old proverbs and sayings in several simple and meaningful ways. One helpful idea is to compare old sayings to modern phrases so that your learner sees that the lessons they convey are still important today, even if the wording is different. Learning Coaches can also use stories and books by pausing during reading to ask whether a character’s actions connect to a familiar saying. Asking reflection questions, such as whether your learner agrees with the proverb and why, encourages deeper thinking and personal connections. Another effective strategy is to break the proverb down by discussing its literal meaning first and then explaining the real lesson behind it. Finally, making learning fun through activities like a guessing game can help children better understand and remember the wisdom behind these traditional sayings.
2 36.2 Perseverance Learning Coaches can help learners compare characters, setting, plot, and problems in two stories by using simple, focused activities. Start by asking guided comparison questions such as who the main characters are, what challenges they face, where and when each story takes place, and how the problems are solved. You can also have your learner retell both stories aloud in their own words and then discuss what happened first, how the events unfolded, and how each story ended. Another helpful strategy is to focus on one story element at a time—comparing only the settings one day, the characters the next day, and then the problems and plot events—so that your student is not overwhelmed. Finally, try color-coding story elements by using different colors to highlight characters, settings, problems, and key plot events. These activities make the process of comparing stories clear, organized, and easier to understand.
3 36.3 Perseverance Learning Coaches can help learners find the theme of a story by guiding them through a simple process. First, ask big questions about what the characters learned or what lesson the author wants readers to remember. Next, help your learner understand the difference between topic and theme by explaining that the topic is what the story is about, while the theme is the lesson about that topic. Your learner can also look closely at the problem and solution in the story and discuss what the solution teaches about life. Another helpful strategy is to notice how the main character changes from the beginning to the end, since character growth often reveals the theme. Finally, encourage your learner to connect the story’s lesson to real life by asking how the theme relates to their own experiences. Connections like these help deepen their understanding of each and compare stories meaningfully.
4 36.4 Perseverance Learning Coaches can help learners find strong text evidence when comparing stories by encouraging them to go back to the books and look for proof instead of relying only on memory. Your learner can use sticky notes while reading to mark important problems, character changes, or key events that may be useful later for comparison. When your learner makes a statement such as “Both characters are brave,” you can use a “Prove It” routine by asking what each character did that shows bravery. It is also helpful to compare specific moments by asking how each character faced their biggest challenge or how the story ended. After your learner gathers details from the story, ask them how the evidence is alike or different so that they move beyond merely listing events and begin comparing the two stories in ways that help them understand each story more completely.
5 36.5 Perseverance Learning Coaches can help learners write a book with a chosen theme by guiding them through brainstorming ideas for characters, settings, and plot. Start by choosing a theme, like perseverance, friendship, or courage, and discuss real-life examples that explore that theme. Then, help your learner create a main character who faces challenges connected to the theme, thinking about traits like bravery, patience, or loyalty. Together, plan a simple plot with a beginning that introduces the character and setting, a middle that shows a problem or conflict, and an ending that demonstrates how the character overcomes the challenge and learns a lesson. Encourage your learner to add dialogue and actions that show the character’s emotions and problem-solving and to illustrate key events or scenes to make the story more vivid. Finally, help your learner reflect on the story by asking what they learned as they wrote it and what lesson readers can take from it.

Module Guiding Questions:

When a student starts a lesson ask them questions to check for prior knowledge and understanding and to review concepts being taught. At the end of the lesson ask the questions again to see if their answer changes.

Lesson Title Question
36.1 Perseverance
  1. How can identifying a problem and its solution help us understand a story?
36.2 Perseverance
  1. How do the setting and plot help us understand what happens in a story?
36.3 Perseverance
  1. How can a story’s theme help us understand its message?
36.4 Perseverance
  1. How can comparing themes across stories help us find common ideas?
36.5 Perseverance
  1. How can text evidence from two stories support our understanding of what we read?

Module Video Questions:

When a student watches a video take time to ask them questions about what they watched. Suggested questions for the videos in this module are listed here. Suggestion: Have the student watch the entire video first all the way through. Then have them watch the video a second time, as they watch it pause the video and ask the questions.

Lesson Title Video Question

Module Suggested Read Aloud Books:

Take time to read to your student or have them read aloud to you. Read a different book each day. While reading the book point out concepts being taught. You may purchase these books or find them at your local library. Suggested things to discuss while reading the book:

  • What is the main idea?
  • What are three things new you learned?
  • How does this book relate to what you are learning about?

# Book Author Lexile Level
1 WHAT IS FREEDOM?: How Does It Ring? Angela Landon
2 What is Individual Freedom? Joshua Turner
3 L Is for Liberty Wendy Cheyette Lewison

Module Outing:

Take some time to apply what your student is learning to the real world. Suggested outings are below.

# Outing