RED SYSTEM LESSON 172 s The Whistling Thorn Tree (FROM LESSON 171) s LEVEL Q s NONFICTION
Student _________________________________________________
Grade ________
Date ___________________________
Teacher _________________________________________________
School ___________________________________________
Recording Form
Part One: Oral Reading
Excerpt is taken from page 13, last paragraph, to page 16
Running words: 246
Accuracy
_______
Self-correction
_______
Fluency
_______
Comprehension
_______
Teacher: The whistling thorn tree grows in the savannas of eastern Africa. The tree is able to survive
because of its special roots, leaves, and thorns. It also depends on tiny stinging ants for its survival. Read
to learn more.
Sources of Information Used
Page
Text
13
Later,
Jake
thing
in
the
wild.
was
the
reason
ant
The Whistling Thorn Tree Level Q, RW: 246 E SC
and
alive— even
14
How
Many
Todd
with
People
They
many
the
need
elephants
realized
they
trees
hundreds
Use
animals
watched
of
on
do
were
the
elephants
the
SC
M S V M S V
same
right:
savanna
for
E
a
tiny
could
stay
neighbors.
Tree
the
whistling
thorn
tree
to
live.
Some
get
food from the tree, and some get a home, too. But it’s not just
animals
tree,
that
and
the
tree.
People
Masai
and
Mbeere
use
the
whistling
thorn
too.
Members
tribes
need
use
other
of
the
the
tree’s
animals.
thorny
Wood
branches
from
the
to
tree
build
is
pens
perfect
for
for
goats
making
Subtotal
Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention
1
© 2013 by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. This page may be photocopied.
Summary of Scores:
RED SYSTEM LESSON 172 s The Whistling Thorn Tree (FROM LESSON 171) s LEVEL Q s NONFICTION
Part One: Oral Reading continued
Sources of Information Used
Page Text
E SC
© 2013 by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. This page may be photocopied.
14
tools
cont.
because
people
to
16
use
make
it
the
is
so
sticky
hard.
sap
And
in
inside
the
the
countr y
whistling
of
thorn
E
SC
M S V M S V
Tanzania,
tree
glue.
Conclusion
The
to
whistling
its
thorns
special
that
needs
other
It
needs
the
it
protect
needs
it
something
tree
features.
help
It
And
thorn
it
survives
It
stay
has
long
alive.
But
living
things
on
antelope
and
other
the
from
stinging
large
much
ants
animals.
bigger:
they
on
the
hot
savanna
roots,
tiny
leaves,
the
the
tree
savanna
animals
that
By
to
that
live
in
helping
the
the
whole
help
cannot
help
thanks
and
live
its
tree,
alone.
it
spread
sharp
survive.
its
seeds.
thorns
and
these
ants
ecosystem.
do
They
help all the animals—and people—on the savanna who get food,
shade,
wood,
and
more
from
this
unusual
whistling
tree.
Subtotal
End Time
2
min.
sec.
Total
Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention
Accuracy
Rate
14 or
Errors more
12-13
9-11
7-8
4-6
2-3
0-1
below
95%
95%
96%
97%
98%
99%
100%
%
© 2013 by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. This page may be photocopied.
RED SYSTEM LESSON 172 s The Whistling Thorn Tree (FROM LESSON 171) s LEVEL Q s NONFICTION
Self-Corrections
Fluency Score
0
1
Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention
2
3
Fluency Scoring Key
0
Reads primarily word-by-word with occasional but infrequent or inappropriate phrasing;
no smooth or expressive interpretation, irregular pausing, and no attention to author’s
meaning or punctuation; no stress or inappropriate stress, and slow rate.
1
Reads primarily in two-word phrases with some three- and four-word groups and some
word-by-word reading; almost no smooth, expressive interpretation or pausing guided
by author’s meaning and punctuation; almost no stress or inappropriate stress, with slow
rate most of the time.
2
Reads primarily in three- or four-word phrase groups; some smooth, expressive
interpretation and pausing guided by author’s meaning and punctuation; mostly
appropriate stress and rate with some slowdowns.
3
Reads primarily in larger, meaningful phrases or word groups; mostly smooth, expressive
interpretation and pausing guided by author’s meaning and punctuation; appropriate
stress and rate with only a few slowdowns.
3
RED SYSTEM LESSON 172 s The Whistling Thorn Tree (FROM LESSON 171) s LEVEL Q s NONFICTION
Part Two: Comprehension Conversation Introduction
Have a conversation with the student, noting the key understandings
the student expresses. Use prompts as needed to stimulate discussion
of understandings the student does not express. Score for evidence of all
understandings expressed—with or without a prompt. Circle the number
in the score column that reflects the level of understanding demonstrated.
© 2013 by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. This page may be photocopied.
Key Understandings
Comprehension Scoring Key
0
Reflects unsatisfactory understanding of the text. Either does not
respond or talks off the topic.
1
Reflects limited understanding of the text. Mentions a few facts or
ideas but does not express the important information or ideas.
2
Reflects satisfactory understanding of the text. Includes important
information and ideas but neglects other key understandings.
3
Reflects excellent understanding of the text. Includes almost all
important information and main ideas.
Prompts
Score
Within the Text
Gives 4-5 details, such as:
What did you learn in this part of the book?
0
1
2
3
Using information from the book as
evidence, explain why the stinging ants
are so important to the ecosystem of the
savanna.
0
1
2
3
Jake and Todd watched the elephants in the wild. The tiny ants
were the reason many trees on the savanna could stay alive.
Many animals need the whistling thorn tree to live. Some get
food and some get a home from the tree. People use the tree
too. Some of the tribes use the tree’s thorny branches to build
pens for their animals. They use wood from the tree for making
tools and in Tanzania people use the sticky sap of the tree to
make glue. The whistling thorn tree needs other living things to
help it survive. It needs other animals to spread its seeds and
the stinging ants that live in it to protect it from large animals.
By helping the tree the ants help the whole ecosystem.
Note any additional understandings:
Beyond the Text
Gives 2-3 reasons, such as:
The stinging ants protect the whistling thorn tree from large
animals like elephants and giraffes. When these animals eat
too many of the tree’s leaves it dies. Many other animals need
the whistling thorn tree to survive. The tree provides food and
homes for the animals. People also use the tree for making
animal pens, tools, and glue. By saving the tree the ants also
help many other animals and people in the ecosystem.
Note any additional understandings:
Continued on next page.
4
Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention
RED SYSTEM LESSON 172 s The Whistling Thorn Tree (FROM LESSON 171) s LEVEL Q s NONFICTION
Part Two: Comprehension Conversation continued
Key Understandings
Prompts
Score
About the Text
It needs other living things on the savanna to help it survive.
What did the writer tell you about how
the whistling thorn tree needs other living
things to survive?
0
1
2
3
© 2013 by Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. This page may be photocopied.
The tree cannot live alone.
It needs antelope and other animals that spread its seeds.
It needs the stinging ants that live in its thorns and protect it
from large animals.
Note any additional understandings:
Guide to Total Score
9-10 Excellent Comprehension
7-8 Satisfactory Comprehension
5-6 Limited Comprehension
Subtotal Score:
/9
Add 1 for any additional understandings:
/1
Total Score:
/10
0-4 Unsatisfactory Comprehension
Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention
5