Determine the Details - Summary by Photon

English

Duration time:

60 min.

Robots:

x3+

Programming interface:

Photon DrawPhoton BlocksPhoton Code

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Common Core English Standards: 
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

Class goal:

Objectives:

To determine the theme or central message of a text.
To explain how the theme or central idea develops over the course of the text.
To provide an objective summary of the text.

Type of exercise:

Group work.

Required items:

1 Photon Robot per group along with the device to code it.
Model text.
Student texts.

Lesson scenario:

Programming Interface: Photon Draw / Photon Blocks / Photon Code / Scratch 3.0 / MakeCode / Python.

Preparation:

The teacher will pre-teach theme concepts.
The teacher will choose texts appropriate to grade level and genre (fiction or nonfiction).
The teacher will choose a familiar and accessible model text for the entire group.
The teacher will pre-teach how to provide a summary of a text.

Lesson Sequence:

Students work with the teacher to learn about theme and summary with a model text.
Break students into groups.
Each group member should read the text independently and write down the theme and key information for the summary.
The groups should come together with one Photon robot and device for coding per group.
Each group should program Photon to summarize the story.
This should include programming Photon to:

Explain the setting.
Introduce key characters.
Demonstrate the plot of the story.
Provide a summary of the text.
Point out the theme of the story.

Bring the class back together. Have each group run their program to share with the class. Give the group a chance to share why they chose the elements in their program.
The teacher should offer suggestions for any needed adjustments to their program.
Continue until all groups have shared their program.