Houghton Mifflin Invitations to Literacy Level 3.1

Disaster!

Patrick and the Great Molasses Explosion    DAY ONE

Marjorie Stover 

Before reading

Rivet (See Guided Reading the Four Blocks Way book, pages 70-71)

• Craving
• Molasses
• Pitcher
• Gooey
• Barrels
• Rivets

During reading

Read pages 287-289

Students should use sticky-notes to mark these vocabulary words in today’s reading selection so that we can revisit the words in context. 

After reading

Revisit the vocabulary words in context. Students share page numbers and sentences using the RIVET words and define these words according to context clues.  

To further explain what “Rivets” are to the students have them look at the text on page 289, the author writes that the tank was fastened together with rivets. She also writes that the rivets had large, round heads and they were pounded in neat rows along the seams of the metal sheets. Using the illustration from the text, you reinforce your understanding by finding the rivets on the tank.  
 
 

Houghton Mifflin Invitations to Literacy Level 3.1

Disaster!

Patrick and the Great Molasses Explosion    DAY TWO

Marjorie Stover 

Before reading 

What does Patrick do that upsets his mother? Summarize, discussion what we learned yesterday. What is important to know about Patrick?  

During reading 

Read page 291

Everyone Read to FIGURE out what does Patrick do that upsets his mother. 

Read pages 292-295  

Everyone Read to FIGURE out how do you know that Patrick really likes molasses.

Everyone Read to FIND out why did Patrick decide to go to another store farther away.

Everyone Read to FIGURE out what was dangerous about the wave of molasses. 

Read pages 296-304

Everyone Read to FIGURE out what was the result or effect of Papa’s arrival at home?

Everyone Read to FIGURE out why Mama told Patrick that he could pour molasses all over his supper. 

After reading  

After reading page 291, discuss the ERT question

After reading pages 292-295, discuss the ERT questions

After reading pages 296-304, discuss the ERT questions 

Do the Beach Ball (Guided Reading the Four Blocks Way, pages 99-101) to summarize / retell what the story was about.

 
Houghton Mifflin Invitations to Literacy Level 3.1

Disaster!

Patrick and the Great Molasses Explosion    DAY THREE

Marjorie Stover  

THE SECOND READING of the story

Before reading

Teaching Cause and Effect. This is a wonderful story to teach cause and effect with.

Give the students these sentences on a handout or write them on the board/overhead. DON’T INCLUDE THE ANSWERS OF COURSE!  

For causes: Why did (name of effect) happen?

For effects: Because (name of cause), what happened? 

Switch off the lights in the room. Ask the students what happened (lights went out) and why it happened (the switch was flipped.) Tell them they have just identified a cause and effect. 

During reading

Have the students examine the illustrations and complete the statements to identify causes and effects.  

Look at page 290 illustration

Because it is winter, Patrick is wearing ___________ (a cap and a coat).

Patrick is carrying a pail because ________________ (he is going to get some molasses.)

Patrick is smiling because ________________ (he loves molasses.) 

Look at page 294 illustration

Because the molasses ran so fast, ______________ (it knocked Patrick down.)

Patrick is looking surprised because _____________ (there is so much molasses.)

The man is helping Patrick because ______________ (he fell down.) 

Look at page 299 illustration

Mama is angry because ___________ (she thinks Patrick is lying.)

Because she is upset, Mama ________ (scrubs very hard.)

Patrick is unhappy because _________ (Mama doesn’t believe him.) 

Look at page 302 illustration

Mother is surprised because ______________ (she sees Patrick was right.)

Because Papa was out in the molasses all day, he ___________ (was covered with it.)

Because Papa is covered with molasses, Patrick __________ (will no longer be in trouble with Mama.) 

After reading

Be sure that the students understand that the because clause can come before or after the other main clause and that its position does not affect the meaning of the sentence.