Stephanie s Ponytail by Robert Munsch Student Objective: Students will demonstrate understanding by asking and answering who, what, where, when, why and how questions. Students will describe the main character s actions. Common Core Standard 2RL.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. 2RL. 3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges. Before Reading Teacher introduces story - This story is titled Stephanie s Ponytail. After seeing the title, who do you think the main character is? What do you think the story is about? Tell students that titles often give the reader an idea about what the book will be contain. In this case the story is about a little girl named Stephanie and something that happens with her ponytail. Encourage students to listen carefully because at the end they will be asking the questions. During Reading Teacher plays TumbleBookLibrary story, Stephanie s Ponytail. Teacher may want to pause story to ask students to predict how Stephanie will react or where her ponytail could be positioned next. After Reading Teacher leads discussion on Stephanie s reaction to having her ponytail style copied. Teacher discusses Stephanie s character traits (creative, independent, inventive, self-confident, imaginative, daring, grumpy ). Possible questions; what was Stephanie s problem? What did she do about it? Did she make the right decision? How would you handle being copied? Teacher introduces question words such as, who, what, where, when, why, and how. Teacher reminds students that questions need to end with question marks. Write question words on the board or on a chart so students can refer to them. Teacher explains that they will be asking the questions today.
Students will use questions words to write two questions about the story. Students may want to have a paper and pencil out while the story is played a second time. After students have written their questions, they can exchange with a partner. Students then answer questions in complete sentences. Students trade back and grade the paper. Assessment/Extension Ten question comprehension quiz Compare and contrast other stories written by Robert Munsch, TumbleBookLibrary has many titles.
Name Stephanie s Ponytail Quiz 1. Why does Stephanie want a ponytail in the beginning of the story? 2. How do her classmates react to Stephanie s ponytail? 3. What does the mom think about a ponytail coming out the side? 4. How does Stephanie react to the kids saying her ponytail is ugly?
5. How does Stephanie describe a ponytail coming out of the top of her head? 6. What was the problem with having a ponytail in front? 7. How did the students react to Stephanie calling them copycats and saying she was going to shave her head? 8. Why did three girls go in the boy s bathroom? 9. What is a copycat?
10. Stephanie says, You just do whatever I do. You don t have a brain in your heads! Does she mean their heads are empty? Explain your answer. Name Stephanie s Ponytail Quiz 1. Why does Stephanie want a ponytail in the beginning of the story? Stephanie wants her hair in a ponytail because none of the other kids in her class have one. 2. How do her classmates react to Stephanie s ponytail? Her classmates think it s ugly, but then copy it.
3. What does the mom think about a ponytail coming out the side? Mom thinks that a ponytail coming out the side of her head is strange. 4. How does Stephanie react to the kids saying her ponytail is ugly? Stephanie reacts by saying, It s my ponytail and I like it. 5. What does Stephanie call a ponytail coming out of the top of her head? Stephanie calls a ponytail coming out of the top of her a tree. 6. What was the problem with having a ponytail in front? The problem with having a ponytail in front is that you can t see. 7. How did the students react to Stephanie calling them copycats and saying she was going to shave her head? The students reacted by shaving their heads the next day. 8. Why did three girls go in the boy s bathroom? Three girls went in the boys bathroom because they couldn t see where they were going. 9. What is a copycat? A copycat is a person who does the same thing as another person. 10. Stephanie says, You just do whatever I do. You don t have a brain in your heads! Does she mean their heads are empty? Explain your answer. No, Stephanie means they don t think for themselves.