Get Reading! Sail and Soar - PROGRAM SAMPLER

1 My Name Is Bella Teacher Notes © by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. My Name Is Bella TEACHER NOTES Overview: This English language arts reader follows Bella on her first day at a new school. She becomes friends with a student who shares her name. The fictional text depicts different school activities, both in the classroom and at recess. BEFORE READING Level A: Have students look at pages 2–7 and talk about words they know based on the pictures and text. Then, introduce the reader: This story is about Bella. Bella is a new student. Bella meets another girl. The girl’s name is Bella, too. Read to find out what the girls do in school. Levels B and C: Have students look at pages 2–3 and ask them to predict what the book will be about. Then, introduce the reader: This book is about Bella. It is her first day at a new school. She meets her teacher and other boys and girls. A student in Bella’s class is also named Bella. The two girls become friends. Read to find out what they do in school. For Level C, point out the Know It All and Extra! information boxes throughout the story. Tell students that this is additional information to read after they finish the page of the story. VOCABULARY Briefly introduce each vocabulary term by using it in a sentence as well as by using gestures and images. Have students talk about the terms and use background knowledge to create new sentences. Bolded terms in the chart can be found in the text and glossary. Terms not bolded can be found in the text only. Have students indicate comprehension of each term through gesturing or using the term in a sentence. DURING READING Level A: Remind students to match the bolded vocabulary terms with images on the pages. Also remind them to preview pictures and reread pages to improve comprehension. Levels B and C: Have students write down any unknown words to clarify with a teacher or peer after reading. CONNECT TO English Language Arts LEVEL A Vocabulary desk draw eat laugh name school teacher work LEVEL C Vocabulary at the same time backpack board classroom excited friends joke mistake nervous shelf trade whisper LEVEL B Vocabulary apple be quiet desk friends laugh orange picture recess smile swings