Mini-Lesson

Visualizing

Mini-Lesson: Grades 2-3

Objective: Students will visualize as they read.

1. Take a poll. Ask: Would you like to be in a national spelling contest? In partnerships, have students discuss their experiences participating in spelling bees.

2. Tell students that the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee took place last Thursday and Friday. Have them picture the setting based on images of spelling bees they have seen in photographs or on television. Pass out the timeforkids.com story, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! As you read the article aloud, encourage them to adjust their mental picture based on the details in the article.

3. Have students share which details they incorporated into their mental picture of the spelling bee as they read. Ask: Did any details about the contest surprise you? How do you think it would feel to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee?

Extend Learning: Teach students about homophones. Have them complete the worksheet Is It Right or Write?