Download Very Last First Time

Very Last First Time
By Jan Andrews
Lesson plan by Marty Mater
Teacher Consultant in Residence
Michigan Geographic Alliance
English Language Arts Content Expectations
Writing Process:
W.PR.05.02: apply a variety of pre-writing strategies for both
narrative and informational writing (e.g., graphic organizers such as
maps, webs, Venn diagrams) in order to generate, sequence, and
structure ideas (e.g., role and relationships of characters, settings,
ideas, relationship of theory/evidence, or compare/contrast).
Writing Genre
W.GN.06.01: write a cohesive narrative piece such as a personal
narrative, adventure, tall tale, folktale, fantasy, or poetry that includes
appropriate conventions to the genre, employing elements of
characterization for major and minor characters; internal and/or
external conflict; and issues of plot, theme, and imagery.
Reading Comprehension:
R.CM.05.01: connect personal knowledge, experiences, and
understanding of the world to themes and perspectives in text through
oral and written responses.
R.CM.05.04: apply significant knowledge from grade-level science,
social studies, and mathematics texts.
R.CM.06.04: apply significant knowledge from grade-level science,
social studies, and mathematics texts.
Reading Narrative Text
R.NT.05.01 analyze how characters and communities reflect life (in
positive and negative ways) in classic, multicultural, and
contemporary literature recognized for quality and literary merit.
R.NT.06.04 analyze how authors use literary devices including
dialogue, imagery, mood, and understatement to develop the plot,
characters, point of view, and theme.
Social Studies Content Expectations
The World in Spatial Terms:
6 – G1.3.1 Use the fundamental
themes of geography (location, place,
human environment interaction,
movement, region) to describe regions
or places on earth.
Places and Regions:
6 – G2.1.1 Describe the landform
features and the climate of the region
6– G2.2.1 Describe the human
characteristics of the region
6 – G2.2.3 Analyze how culture and
experience influence people’s
perception of places and regions
Physical Systems
6 – G3.2.1 Explain how and why
ecosystems differ as a consequence of
differences in latitude, elevation, and
human activities.
Human Systems
6 – G4.2.1 List and describe the
advantages and disadvantages of
different technologies used to move
people, products, and ideas throughout
the world
6 – G4.3.1 Identify places in the
Western Hemisphere that have been
modified to be suitable for settlement
by describing the modifications that
were necessary
Overview: In this beautifully illustrated book, Eva shows how her family depends on and adapts to the physical
environment.
Purpose: Students will use the 5 Themes of Geography to understand this story, and write another adventure in
the same pattern.
Materials: Very Last First Time by Jan Andrews; 5 themes definitions; blank bingo cards (example included);
map of Canada
Grade Level: 4-6
Procedures:
1. Pre reading activities: Using a map of Canada, locate Ungava Bay, on Hudson Bay. Students will also
need to know about mussels (a fresh water shellfish); Inuit (indigenous people who live in the arctic
areas); tundra (a treeless plain); and tides (rising of Earth's ocean surface causing changes in the depth
of water).
2. Read Very Last First Time to students, showing pictures to enhance the imagery used by the author and
experienced by Eva.
3. Review the 5 themes of geography, using the included poster and definitions. Have students make a 9
square bingo card, placing one of the sub-concepts (see list) at the top of each box (see example).
4. While reading the book a second time, have students write evidence of the sub-concepts they have on
their cards, trying to get a different answer for each box.
5. Share answers while discussing the book. Some starter questions:
a. How did Eva and her family depend on the environment?
b. What would Eva have to know about tides in order to be successful and safe in collecting
mussels?
c. How did the author and illustrator show that Eva had an imagination?
d. Were you surprised that the moon was out when her mother came to get Eva? What did that tell
you?
e. Why would the sound of the tide scare Eva?
f. Did this story happen in the past or in modern times? What evidence helps you answer that
question?
6. Eva used the physical characteristics of her environment to meet her needs. The author used the
environment to write about an adventure. Ask students to think of a way they, or someone in their
community, uses the environment to survive or to enhance quality of life. Using the guidelines in the
rubric, write an adventure based on this premise. Use the bingo card for ideas for setting and plot.
Assessment:
 A completed bingo card, correctly describing the sub-concepts of the 5 Themes.
 A well-written adventure story, including at least a 2 of each of the requirements on the rubric.
 Optional: Short quiz on how the 5 themes are used in the story.
Sub-concepts to be used on the bingo card:
Absolute Location
Relative Location
Physical (Natural) Characteristics
Human (Cultural) Characteristics
Use of Resources (depending on the environment)
Adaptation to the environment
Human Impact (changing the environment)
Movement of air, water, earth (materials)
Movement of Goods and Services (Transportation)
Movement of People (Migration)
Movement of Ideas (Communication)
Physical (Natural) Region
Human (Cultural) Region
Example Card: (Example answers)
Absolute Location
Physical Characteristic
Movement of Goods
Ungava Bay
Tundra
Bay
Seabed
Thick ice
Mussels
Rock pool
Tides
Sleds
Mussel pan
Human Characteristic
Use of Resources
Relative Location
Houses
Village
boats
Mussels
seabed
Northern Canada
tundra
Physical Region
Movement of People
Adapting to the
Environment
Tundra
Bay
Snowshoes
Walking
Snowmobile tracks
Warm hoods
Geography Quiz on Very Last First Time
1. An example of relative location would be:
a. Ungava Bay
b. Northern Canada
c. Warm hoods
d. No highways
2. All of the following are examples of physical characteristics EXCEPT:
a. Tundra
b. Seabed
c. Mussel pan
d. Snow
3. Movement of ideas is shown by:
a. Lighting a match
b. Making a hole in the ice
c. Shrieking ice
d. Greeting their friends
4. The Inuit village on the tundra is an example of:
a. Movement of goods
b. Movement of ideas
c. Physical region
d. Human region
5. Eva adapted to the environment by:
a. Talking with their friends
b. Dressing warmly
c. Following the snowmobile tracks
d. Singing
6. Evidence of movement of materials (air, earth, water) is shown by:
a. Tides
b. Shadows
c. Matches
d. Highways
7. Eva and her mother used tools such as an ice-chisel and a shovel. This was possible because of:
a. Relative location
b. Movement of goods and services
c. Physical regions
d. Adaptation to the environment
8. All of the following are examples of human characteristics EXCEPT:
a. Inuit people
b. Snowmobile tracks
c. Homes
d. Snow
Rubric for Geographic Adventure Story:
0 points
Setting: not included
or is poorly
described.
1 point
Description of setting
includes some evidence of
physical and human
characteristics of place.
2 points
Description of setting
includes evidence of
location and physical and
human characteristics of
place.
Purpose of action:
not explained.
Actions are described as
important to characters
Actions of characters are
loosely tied to physical and
human characteristics of
place and location
The plot includes a danger
and a resolution.
Plot: An adventure is The plot includes a
not included.
possible danger, but not
well described.
3 points
Description of setting
includes evidence of
location and physical and
human characteristics of
place and a connection
between these
characteristics and the
action of the characters
Actions of the characters
are dependent on the
description of the
environment
The plot includes a welldescribed danger, and
depends on characteristics
of the environment to come
to a resolution.