A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Main Focus:
A Different Pond by Bao Phi MAIN IDEA AND DETAILS
Skills and Strategies Standards
3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
• main idea and details • RL.3.1 • RL.4.1
RL.5.1
• making connections • RL.3.2 • RL.4.2
•
• RL.5.2
• prior knowledge • RL.3.3 • RL.4.3
• SL.5.1
• RL.3.7 • RL.4.7
• character traits • SL.3.1 • SL.4.1
• SL.5.2
• SL.3.2 • SL.4.2
Important Terms and Vocabulary Words
tackle box (page 2) minnows (page 6) tangle (page 8) callouses (page 8)
Before Reading: Preview and Activate Background Knowledge
Finding the main idea of a text means you are looking at the most important
points, ideas, or lessons from that text. When you look for the main idea, you are
also thinking about why the author wrote the text. As you look for the most
important ideas from a text, ask yourself these questions:
1. What does the author want you to learn or understand from the story?
2. What is the big idea or lesson I can take away from the story?
3. If I was going to write a summary, what information would I include?
As we read A Different Pond by Bao Phi, I want you to look at why the author
wrote this book. Then, I want you to see what message or lesson the author is
trying to tell us.
During Reading: Stopping Points and Interaction Cues
I’m noticing some clues about the family on the first few pages. The
illustrations show the boy sleeping in the same bed as his mother. Then,
the author writes about “the bare bulb” burning in the kitchen. What do
pgs. 1-2 these things tell us about the family?
Possible answers: They don’t have a lot of money. They don’t have a lot
of space.
Is English the dad’s first language? How do you know?
pg. 4
Possible answers: No, because he struggles to get some of the words
right.
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Main Focus:
A Different Pond by Bao Phi MAIN IDEA AND DETAILS
During Reading: Stopping Points and Interaction Cues
Let’s make a prediction. What do you think the minnows are for?
pg. 6
Possible answers: To use as bait when they go fishing, to keep as pets.
The boy feels calluses on his father’s hands. Why do you think the author
decided to add that detail into the story?
pg. 8
Possible answers: To show that he works hard, to show that he works
with his hands.
Why do you think the boy wants to build the fire?
pg. 12
Possible answer: He wants to help his dad, he likes doing something he
feels grownups do, etc.
Was our prediction about the minnows right?
pg. 14
Possible answer: (Speak to each student’s prediction individually.)
Do you think the family is happy? Explain.
pg. 25
Possible answers: Yes, they love each other and are grateful for what
they have. No, they have to work a lot and don’t have a lot of money.
After Reading: Reflect, Extend, and Write
What was the main idea of the story?
Why did the author choose A Different Pond for the title?
What stood out to you from the book?
How did the illustrations help you understand or enjoy the story?
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: ______________________
Main Idea
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Good readers look for the main
idea to help them understand a
& Details text. They can also find details
that support that main idea.
Main Idea
Detail Detail
Detail
A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Main Idea Good readers look for the main
idea to help them understand a
text. They can also find details
& Details that support that main idea.
Detail Detail
Main Idea
Detail Detail
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Making Connections
my connections
text-to-text
text-to-self
text-to-world
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Character Write down some of the
traits of the father below.
Traits
Outside Inside
How is the boy like his father?
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Message Write the message of the story
in the speech bubble. Write the
& Moral text evidence that supports the
message on the book pages.
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: ______________________
Main Idea Answers may vary, but
©2018 Create-abilities LLC. All rights reserved.
could include:
& Details KEY
Main Idea
Sometimes you have to work hard for what you
want and need in life, but it’s still possible to be
happy.
Detail Detail
The dad works two
The dad and his son
jobs to help
wake up early to
support his family.
fish.
Detail
The family eats and
laughs together
while they tell
stories.
A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Main Idea Answers may vary, but
could include:
& Details KEY
Detail Detail
The dad and his The family shares
son wake up early beds because
to fish. they don’t have a
lot of room.
Main Idea
Sometimes you
have to work hard
for what you want
and need in life, but
it’s still possible to
be happy.
The family eats and
The dad works two
laughs together
jobs to help
while they tell
support his family.
stories.
Detail Detail
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Making Connections KEY
my connections
text-to-text
Grade student
work individually.
text-to-self
Grade student
work individually.
text-to-world
Grade student
work individually.
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Character Answers may vary, but
could include:
Traits KEY
Outside Inside
• tall • hard-working
• dark hair • loving
• jacket • caring
• pants • helpful
• tired-looking • dedicated
How is the boy like his father?
The boy wakes up early to help his father
provide for the family. He also likes to hear
the stories of Vietnam his father tells him.
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A Different Pond by Bao Phi
Name: __________________
Message Answers may vary, but
could include:
& Moral KEY
Sometimes life is hard,
but it’s still possible to
be happy.
The father works The family laughs,
two jobs to talks, and eats
support his together after
family. long days.
