Fictional Novel Plan for The Time Ward Trio by Joe Scieszka

VA SOLs Covered:
4.4 The student will expand vocabulary when reading.
a) Use context to clarify meanings of unfamiliar words.
b) Use knowledge of roots, affixes, synonyms,
antonyms, and homophones
c) Use word-reference materials, including the glossary,
dictionary, and thesaurus.
d) Develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a
variety of texts.
4.5 The student will read and demonstrate
comprehension of fictional texts
c) Identify the main idea.

d) Summarize supporting details.

e) Identify the problem and solution.
f) Describe the relationship between text and previously
read materials.
g) Identify sensory words.
h) Draw conclusions/make inferences about text.
i) Make, confirm, or revise predictions.
k) Use reading strategies throughout the reading
process to monitor comprehension.
l) Read with fluency and accuracy.

Section 1: 1 Lesson
TTW introduce the book by reviewing the cover and the back of the book.
Students will predict what will happen in the book.
TSW fill out the first page of the study packet. (Predict what the book is about
and draw.)
TSW will read Ch. 1
After reading, the group will write down any vocabulary words they didnt
understand in the packet and use dictionaries to find the meaning of the words
and find a synonym for the vocabulary word.
TTW elicit thoughtful answers to the questions.
TSW complete additional written questions in their fiction study packet.
Ch. &
Vocabulary
Questions
Pgs.
Who are the main characters?
Ch. 1
vile (repulsive)
In what time period is this chapter set? (setting)
(1-6)
knaves (dishonest
Whats happening to the boys in this chapter?
person)
(comprehension)
thy (you)
Are knights always heroes? Why or why not?
knight
middle ages

(vocabulary)
What are some clues that make you think the man in
black armor is a knight? (draw conclusions/inference)
Predict what will happen next to Joe, Sam, and Fred.

Section 2: 1-2 Lessons

TTW review/warm-up with going over what happened in Ch. 1.
TTW preview the questions the students need to answer after reading Ch. 2-3.
TSW silently read the next chunk of the book, pages 7-19 using comprehension
strategies (using context to clarify the meaning of unfamiliar words, using word
reference materials, reviewing questions before reading, stopping and asking
questions for clarification, etc.)
The group will discuss any troublesome vocabulary students may encounter.
TTW elicit thoughtful answers to the questions.
TSW complete additional written questions in their fiction study packet.
TTW lead a discussion on what the students would have done to defeat the Black
Knight. They will also predict what will happen to the three boys with the new
knights and write it in the packet.
Ch. &
Vocabulary
Questions
Pgs.
Ch.2:
Ch. 2-3
clank (a sharp, hard,
Who is telling the story?
(7-19)
sound, like that
What is the setting of chapter 2?
produced by two
Joe was named after his magician uncle, Joe the
pieces of metal
magnificent. But his mother said, Before he went off the
1

striking, one against

the other)
huffing (breathe
heavily)
imply
strategy
describe

deep end. What do you think she is implying about her

own brother? (8) (draw conclusions/inference)
How does Joe describe the book? (9) (vocabulary)
How do Joe, Fred, and Sam end up in front of the Black
Knight in a different century? (11) (comprehension)
Ch.3:
What was Freds strategy to confuse the Black Knight?
(comprehension)
How did he defeat the Black Knight?

Section 3: 1-2 Lessons

TTW remind the students about the predictions they made.
TTW preview the questions for chapters 4&5 with the students before reading.
TSW read the next chunk of the book, Ch.4 -5.
TTW elicit thoughtful answers to the questions.
TSW complete additional written questions in their fiction study packet.
TTW discuss the predictions the students have made.
Ch. &
Vocabulary
Questions
Pgs
Ch. 4:
Ch. 4-5
hail
What do you think the phrase Hail, Sir Fred, mean? What clues
(20-30)

helped you with its meaning? (20) (vocabulary)

Why does Joe have to explain what the knights are saying?
Why do the knights ask the guys to come with them?
(comprehension)
Would you go with the knights and help them defeat the giant and
the dragon? Why or why not? (connections)
Ch. 5:
Who is Merlin?
Why does Merlin want Sir Joe the Magnificent to show a small
spell? (27)
How was Joe able to trick the Queen and everybody else?
How can Joe, Fred, and Sam help defeat the dragon and giant?
Make a prediction.

Section 4: 1-2 Lessons

TTW start by discussing the different predictions by the students.
TTW review what a main idea is. (The most important idea of the chapter.)
TSW read the next chunk of the book, Ch. 6-7.
The group will discuss any troublesome vocabulary students may encounter.
TTW elicit thoughtful answers to the questions.
TSW complete additional written comic-trip page in their fiction study packet (3
main ideas from Ch. 6&7 and draw a comic for each main idea.)
TTW discuss with the group what main ideas they got from these two chapters.
Ch. &
Vocabulary
Questions
Pgs
How does Sam deal with the giant? (35,38-39) (comprehension)
Ch. 6-7
How different is your prediction from what Sam did?
(31-42)

Section 5: 1-3 Lessons

TTW review what has happened so far in the story.
TSW read the next chunk of the book, Ch. 8-10.
The group will discuss any troublesome vocabulary students may encounter.
TTW elicit thoughtful answers to the questions.
2

TSW complete character chart in their fiction study packet. (chart with three
main characters and fill out with characteristics)
TSW complete additional questions in the fiction study packet.
TTW discuss with students what other adventures Joe, Sam, and Fred could take
with The Book and draw a front cover for their next adventure. They will use
what they learned about Joe, Sam, and Fred throughout the book and make
predictions.
Ch. &
Vocabulary
Questions
Pgs
Would you like living during the Middle Ages? Why or why not?
Ch. 8-10
(connections)
(43-55)
How do Joe, Sam, and Fred get back to the present?
(comprehension)