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Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources for Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

The cover for Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources

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Use Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman to turn your read aloud or small group work into a time to improve comprehension and talk about the text in purposeful ways.

Cowgirl Kate has work to do on the farm and her horse, Cocoa, should be helping. However, Cocoa seems more interested in filling his belly than doing his share of the work! This collection of four short stories by Erica Silverman is perfect for readers diving into chapter books and learning about text structure. The engaging plot of each chapter is shared through approachable text and colorful illustrations.

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Explore lesson plans and activities to help you teach with Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa in the drop down below.

Instructional Overview

The instructional overview includes instructional background for text structure, instructional objectives for each of the Book Club meetings, and a list of the materials and preparation necessary to host the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Book Club.

Common Core State Standards Alignment

TEKS Alignment

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Management Resources

The management resources include a Book Club Calendar, conversation prompts, Student Self-Evaluation forms, Reading Response Board (with optional Common Core alignment), and an Expectations for Book Club anchor chart.

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Meeting 1

Kick off the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Book Club with an approachable introduction to text structure. By breaking the story down into the important parts of the beginning, middle, and end, readers will be successful at understanding (and enjoying!) the story.

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Meeting 2

Each chapter in Erica Silverman's Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa is a new story; providing students with many opportunities to practice analyzing text structure throughout this Book Club. The use of a graphic organizer will help readers keep track of their thinking related to the story elements found in the beginning, middle, and ending of each story.

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Meeting 3

Students will gain independence in analyzing text structure with an interactive activity to pair with Chapter 3 of Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman. Discussion also includes the idea that the majority of the action happens in the middle of the story and authors sometimes include clues at the beginning of the story that will help the reader determine how the problem will be solved.

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Meeting 4

This final Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa Book Club meeting focuses on providing an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning related to text structure. Additionally, readers are encouraged to think about how their knowledge of text structure can help them in their future reading.

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Vocabulary Connections with Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

This set of vocabulary development resources for Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa highlights the words that are most important for students to know and understand while reading the book. Through engaging in fun word games, matching words to definitions, and practicing how to categorize words, students will develop the vocabulary necessary to comprehend this story and many others.

Common Core State Standards Alignment

L.2.4a,L.2.5a,L.2.6

TEKS Alignment

2.7E,2.7F,2.3A,2.3B,2.3D

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Focus Assessment and Rubric

Use this six-question assessment to determine whether or not students understand the key concepts associated with text structure.

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Comprehension Assessment with Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

This 9 question Common Core aligned assessment can be used to determine students' overall comprehension of Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa and their mastery of the Common Core State Standards.

Common Core State Standards Alignment

TEKS Alignment

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Running Record with Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

Use this Running Record to assess oral reading fluency with Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. Track meaning, structure, and visual accuracy using the first 100 words of the text to determine whether or not this book is a good fit for the readers in your classroom.

Common Core State Standards Alignment

TEKS Alignment

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Management Resources - Spanish

The management resources include a Book Club Calendar, conversation prompts, Student Self-Evaluation forms, Reading Response Board (with optional Common Core alignment), and an Expectations for Book Club anchor chart.

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About the Book

The cover for the book Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

Title: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa

Author: Erica Silverman

Genre: Fantasy

Themes: Award Winners, Adventure, Friendship

ISBN: 9780547316727

Publisher's Summary:

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa by Erica Silverman is a delightful early chapter book that introduces young readers to the spirited friendship between a young cowgirl named Kate and her lovable, mischievous horse, Cocoa. Set on a ranch, the book is structured as a series of four interconnected stories, each highlighting a different aspect of their daily adventures together. Whether they are herding cattle, surprising each other with gifts, or sharing a night in the barn, Kate and Cocoa's bond is at the heart of every escapade. The duo's warm and humorous dynamic is sure to resonate with children, as Cocoa's constant requests for snacks and his clever antics keep Kate on her toes. Through their playful banter and teamwork, the book gently explores themes of friendship, patience, and problem-solving. With expressive illustrations by Betsy Lewin that capture both the energy and the affection between the characters, Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa offers an engaging reading experience that is ideal for classroom read-alouds or independent reading for new readers. The accessible language and relatable scenarios make it an excellent choice for discussions about caring for animals, working together, and navigating everyday challenges with humor and kindness.

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Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources for Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa