The Four Friendsby A. A. Milne

Included: A brief excerpt from the poem and rigorous question set activities

promoting higher level-thinking development

Tier 1

story selection

Jacob’s Ladder Goals & Objectives

Habits of Mind

Ernest was an elephant, a great big fellow,Leonard was a lion with a six foot tail,

George was a goat, and his beard was yellow,And James was a very small snail.

Leonard had a stall, and a great big strong one,Ernest had a manager, and its walls were thick,

George found a pen, but I think it was the wrong one,And James sat down on a brick.

Ernest started trumpeting, and cracked his manager,Leonard started roaring, and shivered his stall,

James gave a huffle of a snail in dangerAnd nobody heard him at all.

Ernest started trumpeting and raised such a rumpus,Leonard started roaring and trying to kick,

James went on a journey with the goat’s new compassAnd he reached the end of his brick.

Ernest was an elephant and very well intentioned,Leonard was a lion with a brave new tail,

George was a goat, as I think I have mentioned,But James was only a snail.

Students will be able:Ladder BB1-Details- To list specific details or recall facts related to the text or generate a list about a specific topic or character.B2-Classifications-To categorize different aspects of the text or identify categories from a list of topics or details.B3-Generalizations-To make general statements about the reading or an idea in the reading and use data to support statements.Ladder DD1 Paraphrasing Students will be able to restate lines read using their own words.D2 Summarizing Students will be able to provide a synopsis of text sections.D3 Creative Synthesis Students will create something new using what they have learned from reading and their synopses.Ladder FF1: - Understanding Words – to identify and explain the meaning of figurative language or new vocabulary within the context of a story or poem. F2: - Thinking About Words – to analyze the use of words within the context as related to the theme of a text. F3 - Playing With Words – to accurately apply figurative language and new vocabulary to newly created contexts

Habits of Mind

Working Interdependently

Thinking about Thinking (metacognition)

Innovating, Creating, Imagining

Refer to Jacob’s Ladder Story Table for Ladder B, D & F Thinking Questions.

Tier 2Rigor

(Discussion)

High Level Strategies with

Ladder B, D & F Questions

Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames).

Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete.

B1 — Make a list of each animal and its characteristics as written in the poem.

B2 — Make a chart of the animal characteristics. Be sure to have a title for each column. Example under animal name – Ernest, Leonard, George, James next column animal type elephant, lion, goat, snail, etc

D1 — What do you think is meant by the last line of the poem “But James was only a snail.” Do you agree with that statement? Why or Why not? Explain.

D2 — Draw 5 pictures, one for each stanza. Be sure to show each animal character and all needed details.

F1 — After looking up the word “huffle” explain the meaning in your own words. Find another word, a synonym, that could be used instead of huffle.

Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames).Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete.

B3 — Explain what would make each of the 4 characters a good friend. Which would you want as a close friend and why? D3 — Write a poem about 4 animals. Write a stanza for each animal. The last or fifth stanza will compare the animals.F2 — James is perceived as small. Which lines or words tell us that? He overcomes that to achieve his goal. Describe or illustrate a time you didn’t think you could do something but then DID!!F3 — The author has asked you to rename each of the characters. What names would you give each of the characters? Explain your choices.

Tier 3Rigor

(Discussion)

High Level Strategies with

Ladder B, D & F Questions

Tier 4

Reflections/Relevance

Choose one of the writing ideas to complete.  Be creative. 

1. Write a poem in this style about 4 important people in your life.

2. Research about the author of this poem. Share what you found.

Suggested project strategies:  Write a podcast script; create a puppet show; develop a PSA; a PowerPoint presentation; write and be an actor in a skit; write a persuasive speech and give before the class.