Mini Lesson Topic: Name the teaching point Finding a book on our reading level about Westward

Expansion
Materials: Gather materials, mentor texts. Six student computers in the library, research
notebooks, pencils, list of key words for Westward
Expansion, each student’s Lexile Level
Connection: Tell them what you taught the Yesterday we learned how to search for our
previous lesson. The last writer’s workshop, Westward Expansion key words. We practiced using
we learned how to... Destiny to find books about Westward Expansion.
Explicit Instruction: Tell them what you will Today we are going to take the list of research words
teach today. that we created and learn how to search for a book
Today I’m going to teach you... about Westward Expansion that are on our specific
Show them exactly how to do it. Watch me Lexile Levels. First I am going to show you how to do
do it., Or let’s look at how (author) does this it. When I get onto the computer, I first go to the
catalogue page on Destiny. Then, I type in my
when s/he writes...
research word. Right now, I am going to type in
“railroad.” Beneath the search options, you’ll see a
box that says “narrow my search.” You want to look at
the bottom of that box and click where it says
“Reading Programs.” Then, you will select “Lexile.”
Once you click “Lexile,” boxes will appear that will say
“Range.” Next, put you’ll your Lexile range into these
boxes. I’m going to put my Lexile range of 800-1000.
Once I hit enter, all of the books on “railroad” in my
Lexile range will appear. Then I can determine which
ones I want to examine.
Guided Practice: Ask them to try it out with Next, I want you to work with a partner and look
a partner, or with you for a few minutes. up the word “railroad,” using your Lexile. Then
Now try it out with a partner... look up “railroad” using your partner’s Lexile.
Notice how different books pop up when you put
in different Lexile ranges.
Independent Practice: Remind students Once you have practiced with your partner, I want
how the teaching point can be used in you to look up “immigrants” and use your Lexile
independent writing. range. Once you’ve searched, I want you to write
(There should be a link between the mini down three books you might want to read and the
lesson and the students’ independent Lexile levels.
writing lives.)
Group Wrap Up: Restate the teaching Can someone tell me what you learned today during
point. research workshop? (We learned how to search for a
Ask: Did you try what was taught? Did it book with our Lexile range.) Did any of you have
work for you? How will it affect your future problems? If so, could your neighbor help you fix the
problem? How does this help with our research
writing?
process?