1 4 1 the surprise box (fiction)

The Surprise Box
by Francis Robin

Fiction

INTRODUCE THE BOOK

RESPOND

Activate Prior Knowledge/Build
Background Read the title, and ask
children what the little girl in the cover is doing.
Ask: Did you ever save something special?
Where could you put special things? Tell children
this book is about the special things a little girl
saves in a box.

Answers to the Reader’s Inside Back Cover:

Preview/Use Text Features Preview the
reader by talking about the illustrations together
and naming the labeled items.
Preteach Vocabulary Review the highfrequency words that appear in this book:
surprise and gives. Introduce these key words
from the book: box (p. 1), special (p. 3), and
wraps (p. 7). Discuss these words and add
them to a Word Wall.

READ THE BOOK
Choose among these options for reading to
support children at all English proficiency levels.

Read Aloud Read the book aloud as children
follow along. Pause to verify comprehension and
to explain unfamiliar concepts.
Monitored Reading Have children read
aloud a few pages at a time. Use the following
questions to support comprehension:
• Pages 2–3 What does Marta put in the
box first? (Marta puts a butterfly wing in her
box first.)
• Pages 4–5 What does she put in the box
next? (Next she puts a ribbon and a star in
her box.)
• Pages 6–7 What does Marta do with the
box? (She wraps it and gives it to her big
sister.)
• Page 8 How does Marta’s sister feel about
the box? (She is happy.)

© Scott Foresman 1

ELL Reader 1.4.1

Talk About It
1. She loves her big sister. (Cause and Effect)
2. Possible response: She will probably gather
new things. (Make Inferences)
Write About It
3. Children should draw a picture and write
about a surprise they would want to give
someone. Possible response: I want to give my

drawing to my mother.
Support writers at various English proficiency
levels.
Beginning Encourage children to label their
drawing with To and From. Help them write the
name of the recipient.
Intermediate Encourage children to first tell
a partner what they would give someone and
why they chose that person as a recipient.
Then have them write a sentence about their
surprise.
Advanced Have children describe what they
want to give and to whom.
Extend Language Answers will vary, but
encourage children to look through the book and
follow this model: The butterfly wing is ___.
Answers to page 38:
Children should draw a butterfly wing, a star,
and a ribbon.
Family Link Read aloud the Family Link activity
on page 38 before sending copies of the Study
Guide home with children. Later, have them
share the contents of their family surprise box.

Reread Have children reread the book with a
partner, in small groups, or independently. Have
them complete the Study Guide on page 38.

ELL Readers Teaching Guide

Unit 4, Week 1 The Surprise Box

37


Study Guide

The Surprise Box

Name

• Read The Surprise Box again.
• What things does Marta put in the box? Draw
them inside this box.

Family Link

© Scott Foresman 1

Get a small box. With your family, look around the
house. Put three special things inside the box.

38

The Surprise Box Unit 4, Week 1

ELL Readers Teaching Guide