LESSON 8 TEACHER’S GUIDE
Lessons About Lightning
by Lawrence Chandler
Fountas-Pinnell Level N
Informational Text
Selection Summary
Lightning flashes when electricity builds up in storm clouds. It can
flash inside a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the
ground. Lightning is powerful and can cause damage, but by following
safety rules, people can feel safe.
Number of Words: 850
Characteristics of the Text
Genre
Text Structure
Content
Themes and Ideas
Language and
Literary Features
Sentence Complexity
Vocabulary
Words
Illustrations
Book and Print Features
• Informational text
• Cause and effect text structure
• Some chronological sequencing
• Four sections with headings, each explaining different aspect of lightning
• Description and dangers of lightning
• Explanation of what causes thunder and lightning
• Safety rules about lightning
• Lightning can be powerful and destructive.
• Safety precautions are necessary during thunderstorms.
• Detailed descriptions
• Writer talks directly to reader: Have you ever heard thunder during a thunderstorm?
• Some longer compound and complex sentences: For that reason, when lightning strikes,
you hear thunder after you see the lightning.
• Words related to lightning storms: lightning, electricity, thunder, strikes, shock,
thunderstorm
• Words with complex spelling patterns: lightning, buildings, dangerous, doorknob, knocks
• Some words with more than three syllables: electricity, electrical
• Photographs support and extend text.
• Thirteen pages of text, photos on every page
• Bulleted list of safety rules
© 2006. Fountas, I.C. & Pinnell, G.S. Teaching for Comprehending and Fluency, Heinemann, Portsmouth, N.H.
Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
or recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner unless such copying is expressly
permitted by federal copyright law.
Permission is hereby granted to individual teachers using the corresponding (discipline) Leveled Readers to photocopy student worksheets from this publication
in classroom quantities for instructional use and not for resale. Requests for information on other matters regarding duplication of this work should be
addressed to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, Attn: Contracts, Copyrights, and Licensing, 9400 SouthPark Center Loop, Orlando, Florida 32819.
Printed in the U.S.A.
978-0-547-30264-5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0940 15 14 13 12 11 10 09
If you have received these materials as examination copies free of charge, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company retains title to the materials and
they may not be resold. Resale of examination copies is strictly prohibited.
Possession of this publication in print format does not entitle users to convert this publication, or any portion of it, into electronic format.
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 1
11/3/09 6:42:30 PM
Lessons About Lightning
by Lawrence Chandler
Build Background
Help children use their knowledge of thunderstorms to visualize this book. Build interest
by asking questions such as the following: Have you ever been in a thunderstorm? What
was it like? Read the title and author and talk about the cover photograph. Point out that
the book is informational text, so the words and photos will give facts and information
about the topic of lightning.
Introduce the Text
Guide children through the text, noting important ideas and helping with unfamiliar
language and vocabulary so they can read the text successfully. Here are some
suggestions:
Page 2: Explain that this book gives a lot of information about thunderstorms.
Suggested language: In a thunderstorm, the wind can blow and heavy rain can
fall. A sudden light may flash in the sky. Turn to page 2. Let’s read the last sentence
in the first paragraph: That bright, sudden light is called lightning. Have you ever
seen a flash of lightning? What did it look like in the sky?
Page 3: Point out the caption on this page. This book has captions that go with
each photograph. This caption says: You see lightning strike before you hear the
thunder. Captions can provide information to help explain the picture and the text.
Page 5: Draw attention to the photograph. Sometimes you can get a shock if you
rub your feet on a carpet and then touch a doorknob. You might see a spark or feel
a tingle. The shock is a tiny bit of electricity. Have you ever felt that kind of shock
of electricity? What did it feel like?
Page 7: Point out the heading for this section. This book is divided into sections.
You can read the heading on the top of the first page of each section to learn what
the section is about.
Pages 12 and 13: Remind children that lightning can be dangerous, but there
are ways to stay safe. These pages are full of rules to help you keep safe during a
thunderstorm. Each black dot shows the start of a new rule.
Now let’s turn back to the beginning of the book and read to find out about
lightning.
Expand Your Vocabulary
electricity – a form of energy
found in nature, p. 5
lightning – the flashing of light
produced by a discharge of
atmospheric electricity, p. 2
Grade 2
shock – the effect of a strong
charge of electricity passing
through the body of a person
or animal, p. 5
2
strikes – v. hits, as by lightning,
p. 3
Lesson 8: Lessons About Lightning
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 2
7/30/09 7:59:31 AM
Read
Have children read Lessons About Lightning silently while you listen to individual children
read. Support their problem solving and fluency as needed.
Remind children to use the Visualize Strategy
happening as they read.
to picture what is
Discuss and Revisit the Text
Personal Response
Invite children to share their personal responses to the book.
Suggested language: What new information did you learn about lightning?
Ways of Thinking
As you discuss the text, help children understand these points:
Thinking Within the Text
Thinking Beyond the Text
Thinking About the Text
• Thunderstorms produce
lightning when electricity builds
up in clouds.
• Lightning is a powerful jolt of
electricity.
• Section headings tell what is in
each section.
• Lightning is dangerous, but with
precautions, people can feel safe
and enjoy the excitement and
beauty of the storm.
• The author uses description,
cause and effect, and some
sequencing to organize the book.
• You can see a flash of lightning
before you hear the sound
(thunder) it makes.
• Lightning can start fires and
damage things it hits, but
it is possible to stay safe in
thunderstorms.
• Safety rules are provided in a
bulleted list.
• The author’s purpose in writing
this book is to give readers
information about lightning.
© 2006. Fountas, I.C. & Pinnell, G.S. Teaching for Comprehending and Fluency, Heinemann, Portsmouth, N.H.
Choices for Further Support
• Fluency Invite children to choose a passage from the text to read aloud. Remind them
to pay attention to phrasing to reflect the meaning of the text.
• Comprehension Based on your observations of the children’s reading and discussion,
revisit parts of the text to clarify or extend comprehension. Remind children to go
back to the text to support their ideas.
• Phonics/Word Work Provide practice as needed with words and word parts, using
examples from the text. Tell children that many words in the book are compound
words. Remind them that the meaning of these compound words is usually clear from
looking at the two smaller words in the compound word. Have children make a list of
compound words in the book, such as thunderstorm (page 2), airplane (page 4), and
doorknob (page 5.)
Grade 2
3
Lesson 8: Lessons About Lightning
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 3
11/3/09 6:42:37 PM
Writing about Reading
Critical Thinking
Have children complete the Critical Thinking questions on BLM 8.9.
Responding
Have children complete the activities at the back of the book. Use the instruction below as
needed to reinforce or extend understanding of the comprehension skill.
Target Comprehension Skill
Main Ideas and Details
Remind children that they should think about the
important ideas and details in a book. Model the skill, using a “Think Aloud” like the one
below:
Think Aloud
I can tell one important idea about lightning by thinking about some of
the details in the book. Lightning can split tree trunks. It can start forest
fires. It can strike people and hurt or even kill them. These details help
me see that lightning can be dangerous.
Practice the Skill
Have children use details from the book to show that lighting can also be exciting
to watch.
Writing Prompt: Thinking About the Text
Have children write a response to the prompt on page 6. Remind them that when they
think about the text, they think about the language the author has used, the genre of the
text, the author’s purpose, and how the text is organized.
Assessment Prompts
• What is the author’s purpose for writing this book?
• Which words on page 11 help the reader understand the meaning of the
word beware?
Grade 2
4
Lesson 8: Lessons About Lightning
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 4
11/3/09 6:42:44 PM
English Language Development
Reading Support Check regularly on children’s oral reading to determine accuracy,
fluency, and comprehension.
Cultural Support Help children understand what the space shuttle (page 4) is.
Oral Language Development
Check children’s comprehension, using a dialogue that best matches their
English proficiency level. Speaker 1 is the teacher, Speaker 2 is the child.
Beginning/Early Intermediate
Intermediate
Early Advanced/ Advanced
Speaker 1: What sound does lightning
make?
Speaker 1: What is lightning?
Speaker 1: Why is lightning
dangerous?
Speaker 2: thunder
Speaker 1: What can you put on
buildings to keep them safe from
lightning?
Speaker 2: lightning rods
Speaker 2: It is a flash of electricity in
the sky.
Speaker 2: Lightning is powerful
and hot.
Speaker 1: Where is lightning made?
Speaker 1: What should you do
if you can’t go inside during a
thunderstorm?
Speaker 2: Lightning is made inside
clouds.
Speaker 1: Does lightning travel slowly
or fast?
Speaker 1: If you are swimming and a
thunderstorm hits, what should you
do?
Speaker 2: fast
Speaker 2: Get out of the water.
Speaker 2: Don’t stand under a
tree and try not to be the tallest
object around.
Lesson 8
Name
Date
Think About It
BLACKLINE MASTER 8.9
Lessons About Lightning
Think About It
Read and answer the questions.
1. Why do many tall buildings have a lightning rod?
5IFMJHIUOJOHSPELFFQTUIFCVJMEJOHTBGF
2. Why do some people enjoy watching storms?
4PNFQFPQMFUIJOLUIBUTUPSNTBSFCFBVUJGVMPSFYDJUJOH
3. If you are on the playground for recess when a
thunderstorm hits, what should you do?
1PTTJCMFSFTQPOTF.ZDMBTTTIPVMEHPJOTJEFSJHIUBXBZ
BOETUBZBXBZGSPNUIFXJOEPXT
Making Connections How do people find out when a
thunderstorm is on the way? How would you help your family
prepare for a storm?
Write your answer in your Reader’s Notebook.
Read directions to children.
Think About It
Grade 2, Unit 2: Nature Watch
¥)PVHIUPO.JGGMJO)BSDPVSU1VCMJTIJOH$PNQBOZ"MMSJHIUTSFTFSWFE
Grade 2
5
Lesson 8: Lessons About Lightning
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 5
7/30/09 7:59:32 AM
Name
Date
Lessons About Lightning
Thinking About the Text
Answer the following questions in two paragraphs:
Do you think the author gave this book a good title? Why or why not? What
might be another good title for this book? What are two important lessons
you learned about lightning from reading this book? Tell why the lessons are
important to you.
Grade 2
6
Lesson 8: Lessons About Lightning
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 6
7/30/09 7:59:34 AM
Lesson 8
Name
BLACKLINE MASTER 8.9
Date
Think About It
Lessons About Lightning
Think About It
Read and answer the questions.
1. Why do many tall buildings have a lightning rod?
2. Why do some people enjoy watching storms?
3. If you are on the playground for recess when a thunderstorm hits, what should you do?
Making Connections How do people find out when a
thunderstorm is on the way? How would you help your family
prepare for a storm?
Write your answer in your Reader’s Notebook.
Grade 2
7
Lesson 8: Lessons About Lightning
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 7
7/30/09 7:59:35 AM
Student
Lesson 8
Date
BLACKLINE MASTER 8.13
Lessons About Lightning • LEVEL N
page
2
Selection Text
Lessons About Lightning
Running Record Form
Errors
Self-Corrections
Accuracy Rate
Total SelfCorrections
During a thunderstorm, there may be
pounding wind and rain. You may also see a flash
of light in the sky. That bright, sudden light is
called lightning.
Some people love to watch lightning. Other
people think it is scary—and it can be. Lightning
can cause a lot of damage, so everyone should be
careful during a thunderstorm.
3
Have you ever heard thunder during a
thunderstorm? Thunder is the sound that
lightning makes. The speed of thunder is not
equal to the speed of lightning. Sound travels
more slowly than lightning.
Comments:
(# words read
correctly/91 × 100)
%
Read word correctly
Code
✓
cat
Repeated word,
sentence, or phrase
®
Omission
—
cat
cat
Grade 2
Behavior
Error
0
0
1
8
Substitution
Code
cut
cat
1
Self-corrects
cut sc
cat
0
Insertion
the
1
Word told
T
cat
cat

Error
1413619
Behavior
1
Lesson 8: Lessons About Lightning
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2_302645_AL_LRTG_L08_LessonsLightning.indd 8
12/21/09 6:31:43 PM