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Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources for Poppy

The cover for Poppy Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources

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Use Poppy by Avi to turn your read aloud or small group work into a time to improve comprehension and talk about the text in purposeful ways.

Poppy, a brave, smart, and curious field mouse, challenges the great horned owl, Mr. Ocax, as she tries to save her family by finding them a new home. Avi's Poppy is an excellent novel to use with readers learning to examine how a story's theme is developed through the characters' actions and dialogue and supported by the story elements. Avi demonstrates the powerful roles of fear and courage in our lives using the adventurous underdog, Poppy.

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

Instructional Overview

The instructional overview includes instructional background for determining theme, instructional objectives for each of the Book Club meetings, and a list of the materials and preparation necessary to the Poppy Book Club.

Common Core State Standards Alignment

RL.4.5RL.4.4RL.4.3RL.4.2RL.4.1RL.4.6L.4.5cW.4.9L.4.6L.4.4aW.4.8SL.4.1cSL.4.1bSL.4.1aRL.4.10RL.4.9RL.4.7

TEKS Alignment

4.7D4.9B4.9A4.8D4.8C4.8B4.8A4.7G4.7F4.7E4.9D(i)4.7C4.7B4.7A4.6I4.6H4.6G4.6F4.6E4.10C4.13H4.13E4.13C4.13A4.10G4.10F4.10E4.10D4.6D4.10B4.10A4.9F4.9E(iii)4.9E(ii)4.9E(i)4.9D(iii)4.9D(ii)4.6C4.6B4.6A4.1D4.1C4.1A

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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

The theme of a story lets the author share an important idea with the reader. Using Poppy, students will explore how author, Avi, develops the theme of fear and courage throughout the text.

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Meeting 2

Being able to summarize the most important details of the text is an important step towards determining a story's theme. This Poppy Book Club meeting focuses on teaching the students to write a successful summary of the text as they read.

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Meeting 3

Using an already identified theme of fear and courage, readers will examine Poppy by Avi to look for evidence in the text of how the theme is developed.

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Meeting 4

Discussion for this Poppy Book Club meeting centers on examining character actions and dialogue for evidence of how the theme of fear and courage is developed by author, Avi.

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Meeting 5

Authors often use story elements to express their theme to readers. Poppy provides an example of how author, Avi, uses the story's setting to support the theme of fear and courage.

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Meeting 6

During this final Poppy Book Club meeting, students are asked to create a visual representation that showcases their learning related to determining theme. Students are also encouraged to reflect on their participation in the Book Club as a whole.

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The first page of Asking Questions with A Bad Case of Stripes

Vocabulary Connections with Poppy

This set of vocabulary development resources for Poppy 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.4.4a,L.4.5c,L.4.6

TEKS Alignment

4.7E,4.7F,4.3A,4.3B

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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 determining theme.

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Comprehension Assessment with Poppy

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

Common Core State Standards Alignment

TEKS Alignment

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Running Record with Poppy

Use this Running Record to assess oral reading fluency with Poppy. 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

Title: Poppy

Author: Avi

Genre: Fantasy

Themes: Friendship, Family, Adventure, Perseverance

ISBN: 9780380727698

Publisher's Summary:

Poppy by Avi is a captivating children's novel set in the richly imagined Dimwood Forest, where a young mouse named Poppy lives among her large, close-knit family. The peaceful lives of the mice are overshadowed by the rule of Mr. Ocax, a menacing owl who claims to protect them from unknown dangers—especially porcupines—in exchange for their obedience. When Poppy's family wishes to move to a new, safer home, Mr. Ocax refuses their request, sparking suspicion and unrest. Poppy, once timid and obedient, is driven by the need to uncover the truth behind Mr. Ocax's refusal and to help her family. Her journey takes her on a brave quest through the forest, where she encounters unexpected friends, including a prickly but helpful porcupine, and faces her deepest fears. The novel explores themes of courage, questioning authority, family loyalty, and self-discovery, all within an accessible and engaging animal adventure. Poppy's transformation from a cautious mouse to a determined heroine makes this book a wonderful resource for discussing character growth, bravery, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Teachers will find Poppy a delightful addition to the classroom, sparking conversations about leadership, independence, and the value of facing challenges.

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Lesson Plans and Teaching Resources for Poppy