Lesson 1: Hook and Concept of a Frame Story for Walk Two
Moons by Sharon Creech
Pre-reading Activities
1. Shoe activity (hook).
Have the following written on the board: DON’T JUDGE A MAN UNTIL
YOU’VE WALKED TWO MOONS IN HIS MOCCASIONS.
Bring in a pair of shoes that students wouldn’t wear (high heels or work boots)
ask for a volunteer to wear them. Ask the following questions:
How do you feel?
Do you feel any different?
Is it easier or more difficult to walk in these shoes than you thought?
Based on this demonstration, what do you think this saying means?
Have students write a sentence or two about what DON’T JUDGE A MAN
UNTIL YOU’VE WALKED TWO MOONS IN HIS MOCCASIONS means and make a
prediction about why the book is titled that. Collect them and check for thoughtful
response and participation.
2. Explain that as a class we will be reading Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. Have
students fill out the anticipation guide. Have them pair-share two of their responses.
Then discuss a few topics as a class.
3. Assign them to read the first chapter of the novel in class.
During reading activities
1. Ask the students to pay particular attention to the last page where Sal talks about the
hidden fireplace.
2. Remind them to underline, or write in their vocabulary booklet, any words they don’t
understand.
After reading activities
1. When the students have finished reading, read aloud the last paragraph.
Ask students to explain what this might mean.
2. Have students take out their list of literary devices and take notes on a frame story.
3. Explain that the concept of a frame story.
We are going to make some text-to-text connections now. Has anyone seen the
movies The Princess Bride or The Sandlot?
How does The Princess Bride start? With the grandfather reading a story to his
grandson and that story becomes the main story of the movie. The movie really tells two
stories: one about the princess bride and the other about a grandfather and grandson.
Erin Barker 2006
Does anyone know the literary term for this? Frame story.
Why is it called a frame story?
4. Using what the students read in this chapter, have students list the two stories (or draw
a large picture frame) on the board and what they know about them. At this point they
know that Sal’s story is the story of the seven day road trip she takes with her
grandparents and that during the trip she tells Phoebe’s story.
5. Assign Chapters 2-4 for next time. Since Walk Two Moons is also a mystery, remind
them to look for clues to the mystery as they read in preparation for the next lesson about
foreshadowing.
Erin Barker 2006