Interactive Read-Alouds

Grade 3

First Nine Weeks

17 Days / 7 Days / 1 Day / 3 Days
The BFG
Roald Dahl
Lexile: 720
Grade Level Band: Grades 3-4
Days: 17
Grade 3
Planning Note
Ø  It will be helpful to have a world map available for quick reference when places are mentioned. Although The BFG is a work of fantasy, many real places are mentioned.
DAY 1, pp. 9-19
Develop or Activate Background Knowledge
Today I'm going to begin reading a book by Roald Dahl. The title is The BFG. That's a mysterious title, isn't it? We don't even know what the letters BFG stand for, at least not yet. And the book is mysterious book too, just like many of his other books, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This book is a fantasy, which means that many of the events could not happen in the real world. Fantasies can be very entertaining, and that is why I think you will like this book. Sometimes it's scary and sometimes it's funny, but it's always interesting. The book tells about the strange adventures of a girl named Sophie. She lives in England and has no father or mother. She lives in a large orphanage, called a dormitory, with nine other girls.
Model a Comprehension Strategy and Ask Questions During Reading
After we read today, I will ask you to write a paragraph that tells the main events of the story so far. So be alert to what's important and what's not.
[Page 10, after second paragraph]
When we read, it helps us understand when we can think of something that happened to us. Raise your hand if you have ever woke up in the middle of the night there's no one else awake, and suddenly you start to imagine things. That's what happened to Sophie. We can all identify with her.
[End of page 11]
I don't think we have enough information to infer what it could be, do we? Tell your partner if you have an idea.
[Page 15, after “What could it be?”]
I don’t even want to infer what was in that jar. But whatever it is, I don’t think it’s good. We can’t really predict what is yet.
[End of page 15]
Do you think Sophie did the right thing by hiding under covers? What would you have done? Talk it over with a partner.
[Page 17, after second paragraph]
Let’s stop a second to interpret what’s happened. Do you think the giant came after Sophie because he saw her looking at him? Maybe if she had been asleep she would be safe. Let’s vote. Show me one finger if you think she’d have been safe if she’d stayed asleep, and two fingers if you think it wouldn’t have mattered.
[End of page 19]
Do you think there's a chance that Sophie might be eaten?
Discussion
Remember this is a fantasy. And it reminds me of Jack and the Beanstalk. Help me connect the two stories. They are both about … giants. In that story would the giant have eaten Jack? How are the stories different?
Teach Tier 2 Words
One of the words from the book so far is sprinting. What word? Sprinting means running as fast as you can for a short distance. In soccer a player might sprint to the ball. In our book, it says, "The Giant was sprinting down the High Street." Sprinting means running as fast as you can for a short distance. What word? [p. 17]
Another word from our story is brilliant. What word? Brilliant means very bright. Sometimes we use brilliant to describe someone who is smart. But in the book the word brilliant refers to light. "A brilliant moonbeam was slanting through a gap in the curtains." I might also say that the camera's flash was so brilliant it blinded me for a second. Brilliant means very bright. What word? [p. 9]
Sentence Composing
Imitate
The flashing black eyes were fixed on Sophie's bed.
The ______black eyes were fixed on Sophie's ______.
Unscramble
in the other hand – he seized – the suitcase – and the long – trumpet thing – and off he ran
Written Response
Write a paragraph that tells the main events of the story so far. Remember that when you write a summary you need to decide what’s important and what’s not. You include only the most important facts.
The BFG
DAY 2
Pages 20-30
Review and Share Written Responses
[Have partners share their summary paragraphs. Review events in preceding session.]
Model a Comprehension Strategy and Ask Questions During Reading
Later today I will give you a chance to put yourself in Sophie's position. Imagine that she is writing a diary. Think about what she might write in her diary tonight.
[End of page 24]
Now we will find out if Sophie will become breakfast. Let's predict. Raise your hand if you think the giant will eat her. You’ll just have to wait to find out. But I will say this. We are only a little way into the book. We know that Roald Dahl is a very good author. If he let’s the giant eat Sophie, he won’t have much to write about in the rest of the book. So my prediction is that he will not eat her. At least not yet.
[End of page 25]
The giant certainly talks funny. Why do you think Roald Dahl makes him talk funny?
[Little of page 26]
So the giant is mixing up words. People from Turkey must taste like turkey. People from Greece must taste greasy. [Point these countries on a globe or map.]
[Page 28, after "You are once again gobblefunking."]
Gobblefunking is a made-up word, but we can get some context clues about what it might mean. [Reread the sentence.] What do you think it means?
[End of page 30]
So now we finally know what BFG stands for!
Discussion
Now I want you to think of a good question to ask about what we’ve read today. Then ask your partner that question.
Teach Tier 2 Words
One of the words from the book so far is massive. What word? Massive means very large. I could say that the city was struck by a massive storm. In our book, it says, "Sophie could see a massive round stone." Massive means very large. What word? [p. 22]
Another word from the book so far is crouching. What word? Crouching means to bend your knees so you take up less room. [Demonstrate!] A tiger might crouch in the bushes so other animals won’t see it. In our book, it says that Sophie was “crouching on the floor of the cave." Crouching means to bend your knees so you take up less room. What word? [p. 24]
Sentence Composing
Imitate
Three or four other giants were sitting quite motionless on the rocks.
Three or four other ______were sitting quite ______on the rocks.
Three or four other ______were sitting quite motionless on the ______.
Expand
The last thing she wanted to do was make the giant cross because ______
Written Response
Sophie is beginning quite an adventure! Imagine that she is keeping a diary. Write one or two thoughts that she might put in her diary tonight.
The BFG
DAY 3
Page 31-middle of page 42
Review and Share Written Responses
[Have partners share their diary entries. Review events in preceding session.]
Model a Comprehension Strategy and Ask Questions During Reading
Later I will give you a chance to write about our book again. What if Sophie had a chance to send an email warning people about the Giants? Think about what she might say.
[Page 31, after second paragraph]
Let’s recall what happened in the first chapter. If you inferred that the giant took Sophie because she saw him, you were right! We always need to keep reading to test our predictions.
[Page 33, at the break]
So now Sophie is really trapped. She's safe with the giant but she can’t leave his cave. Put yourself in Sophie’s place. What do you think she should do? Talk it over with your partner.
[End of page 37]
So here's what I'm wondering. Could it be that the giant is telling Sophie that the other giants would eat her just to keep her from escaping? Talk to your partner.
[Middle of page 39]
I know this is a fantasy story, but Mrs. Clonkers sounds like a witch. But maybe Sophie is right. Maybe it’s better to live with Mrs. Clonkers because at least it won’t be forever. Let’s take a vote. Raise your hand if you’d prefer to stay with Mrs. Clonkers. How many prefer the BFG?
[End of page 39]
If I were Sophie, I would try to convince the giant to take me back. But what could she say to him that might work?
Discussion
Now it’s your turn to ask questions. Think of a really good question about what we’ve read today and ask your partner.
Teach Tier 2 Words
One word from our book is motionless. What word? Motionless means not moving, or without motion. We could say that a rock is motionless. In our book it says, "Three or four other giants were sitting quite motionless on the rocks." Motionless means not moving. What word? [p. 34]
Another word is astonishment. What word? Astonishment is a feeling of surprise. If you told me you were born on the moon, I would look at you with astonishment. In our book it says, "Sophie watched with astonishment." That means she could hardly believe what she was seeing. Astonishment is a feeling of great surprise. What word? [p. 39]
Sentence Composing
Combine
The sun had come up. The sun was shining fiery hot over the great yellow wasteland.
[Prompt use of the temporal word after.]
Imitate
They were too far away for their faces to be seen clearly.
They were too far away for their ______to be seen ______.
Written Response
Imagine that the giant has a computer that is online. While he is sleeping you have a chance to send an email warning the people in places like Turkey and Panama. What would your message say?
The BFG
DAY 4
Middle of p. 42 - 54
Review and Share Written Responses
[Have partners share their emails. Review events in preceding session.]
Model a Comprehension Strategy and Ask Questions During Reading
Later I will ask you to put yourself in Sophie's place again. Think of something she might say to the BFG to persuade him to take her home again.
[End of page 46]
Now we know a lot more about the giant. He's gentle and brings good dreams to children. The F in BFG really does stand for friendly! I wonder why he is so different from the other giants. Any ideas?
[Page 47, after "bottles"]
If the giant doesn't eat humans, I wonder what he does eat. Talk to your partner.
[End of page 47]
Maybe that's a clue. We'll find out next time.
[End of page 48]
We can make a comparison here with another author. These made up names of animals remind me of Dr. Seuss. Like the Lorax and the Grinch.
[End of page 49]
Here is an illustration of the snozzcumber. I’ll write it on the board. Think about that name and look at the picture. These are context clues! What vegetable do you think Roald Dahl had in mind when he made up that name?
[Middle of page 50]
Now we know why the giant speaks the way he does. Do you think Sophie will be able to improve his speech?
Discussion
How many of you agree with the giant’s logical argument? Is stealing a little girl better than stealing a lot of vegetables? Let’s vote!
Teach Tier 2 Words
One word from our book is winsome. What word? Winsome means attractive or appealing. We could say a girl had a winsome smile. In our book, it says, “A sad winsome look came into the BFG’s eyes.” That means he looked sad but he still touched Sophie’s heart. Winsome means attractive or appealing. What word?
Another word from the book is honorable. What word? Honorable means behaving in the right way toward others. If I found a dollar, the honorable thing to do would be to return it to the person who lost it. In our book, the giant says, "I is a very honorable giant," when Sophie suggests that he steal vegetables. Honorable means behaving in the right way toward others. What word? [p. 54]
Sentence Composing
Combine
The sun is a massive star. The sun’s brilliant light travels across the galaxy.
[Prompt use of the causal words and phrases, such as because or which is why.]
Imitate
She stayed very quiet, waiting for more.
She stayed very ______, waiting for more.
She stayed very ______, waiting for ______.
Written Response
Write down a suggestion or two for what Sophie might say to get the giant to take her back home.
The BFG
DAY 5
Pages 55-69
Review and Share Written Responses
[Have partners share their suggestions for Sophie. Review events in preceding session.]
Model a Comprehension Strategy and Ask Questions During Reading
Later I will give you a chance to create an advertisement. The name of the product is frobscuttle.
[Top of page 55]
In these next two pages, the author describes a new and very different giant. Remember that good readers always try to make mental images of what they're reading. To do this, they pay attention to details that the author gives them. As I read, listen to the details and try to picture the new giant. Then I will show you the picture drawn by Quentin Blake, who illustrated the book.
[Page 57, after "chin"]
Now it's time to compare your mental picture with the illustration. Here it is.
[Middle of page 59]
This is a tense moment, isn't it? The BFG is trying to save Sophie but he is really asking the other giant to eat her. He doesn't know what he's saying, does he?
[End of page 61]
So here we have another joke. People from Chile taste cold because they are chilly. Get it? Chile and chilly sound almost the same. That kind of joke is called a pun.
[End of page 63]
Is disappearing someone the same as killing them? Is it just a nicer way of saying the same thing?
[End of page 67]
Have you figured out what whizzpopping is? How does frobscottle make a person whizzpop?
Discussion
[End of chapter]
So far we’ve met two giants and they are very, very different. Help me think of some words to describe each one. I want adjectives that are character traits. Let’s make a chart. I’ll get us started.
BFG / Bloodbottler
friendly / mean
Teach Tier 2 Words
One word from our book is repulsive. What word? If something is repulsive, it is disagreeable or just plain yucky. You want to get away from it. The smell of a skunk is repulsive. In our book it says that the BFG was hoping “he could get the Bloodbottler take one bite of the repulsive vegetable.” Repulsive means disagreeable or yucky. What word? [p. 59]