How do you Raise a Raisin?
Time Required: 30 Minutes
Common Core Second Grade ELA Reading Standards Addressed:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.2- Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.4- Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the
meaning of words and phrases in a text
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.8- Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text
Common Core Third Grade ELA Reading Standards Addressed:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English
grammar and usage when writing or speaking
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5- Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in
word meanings
Michigan Harvest of the Month Correlations:
Grapes: Eating a ½ cup of grapes is a good way to get Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Grapes are
also a source of simple carbohydrates called sugars. These carbohydrates are a quick source of
energy for your body. They promote good health by providing vitamins, minerals, fiber, and
many phytochemicals.
We will discuss the process of transforming grapes into raisins.
Common Core vocabulary words are in all caps
How do you Raise a Raisin?
Instructional Steps Pre
Reading:
Script and Detailed Directions
Hold up the book to the class
and ask these questions before
beginning to read…

ANALYZE the cover. What do you think the TOPIC of
the story is about?

This story has RHYMES about raisins. Can someone
tell me what a RHYME is?
Have or end with a sound that corresponds with another

This story is also INFORMATIVE and provides
FACTS about raisins. What do the words
INFORMATIVE and FACT mean?
Informative text provides us with useful or interesting information.
Facts are proven true statements
How do you Raise a Raisin?
Instructional Steps:
Begin Reading
Script and Detailed Directions

So what exactly is a raisin?
Dried grapes
Stop on page 4
Ask these questions…

In what countries to grapes grow?
Iran, Greece, Turkey, Australia, US

What does it mean by someTHING was the first to
discover raisins?
An animal, such as a dinosaur may have eaten grapes long before
humans
Stop on page 7
Ask these questions…

Do you think grapes grow well in the desert?
No

Why?
Though they like hot and dry, grapes need a lot of water t

Why do you think the grape cuttings are planted next to
a wooded stake? Have you ever planted tomatoes in
your garden next to a wooden stake?
The stake keeps the plant straight and it makes the plant more noticeable
Stop on page 8
Have the students stand and
create their own rows 8 feet
apart
Ask These questions…
Stop on page 9
Ask these questions…
Stop on page 12
Ask these questions…
Draw a DIAGRAM on the
board of the cardinal rose.
Have students figure out the
direction grape rows would be
going based on the rose.
Stop on page 14
Ask these questions…

What do you think the wire is used for?

What would the CAPTION for this picture be?

What are the RHYMING words?
Sun, done, bake, take

How many days are in three weeks?
21

Where does the water go?
Into the air

Why do you think it takes so many grapes to make not
so many raisins?
When dried, they lose all of their water weight
Stop on page 18
Ask these questions…

What are some of your favorite foods that have raisins
in them?
How do you Raise a Raisin?
Instructional Steps Post
Reading:
Script and Detailed Directions
After reading the book, ask
these questions to the class…

What is one interesting FACT that you learned about
raisins?

What do you think the MAIN IDEA of the story was?

Let’s COMPARE and CONTRAST grapes and raisins.
How are they similar? How are they different?

When we do our grape and raisin tasting, let’s continue
to COMPARE and CONTRAST.