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The Magic Pen

Develop “Close Reading” Skills

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The Magic Pen

A fun, fanciful, artsy tale!


Program Overview

The reading skills and techniques learned through this program are best described as “close reading.” 


In the program, students learn to pay close attention to what they are reading, not just to the story but also, to particular words used by the author, the purpose for the text, the way the text is organized, the characters, setting, and plot. 


Students also learn to make predictions based on the book’s title and cover art and to make inferences about what’s going on in the text using details from the text as clues. 

Directions: 

  • 1. Open two PDF Documents. Click the links below. Each document will open in a separate browser window. You will need both documents open at the same time while working with a student.

The Magic Pen Text PDF

The Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF

  • 1. The program has five lessons. Each lesson has its own set of directions. Detailed step-by-step instructions are contained in the Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF. (One of the links above.)
  • 2. Each student receives a Program Worksheets Packet corresponding to the step-by-step instructions outlined in The Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF. The worksheets correspond to Lessons 1-4. Lesson 5 is completed through the “Discover Your Spark” Section of the Crossover Training portal.

Lesson 1: Making Predictions, Purpose for a Text, Author’s Word Choices, Literary Devices, and Setting

Reminder

All student answers are to be inserted in The Magic Pen Program Worksheets Packet.

Directions: 

Using the The Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF as your guide:

  • • Open the Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF. Read page 1 -3. Follow the directions to complete the First Virtual Reading Coach Challenge on “making predictions.”
  • • Open The Magic Pen Text PDF. Read Chapter 1 — Pages 1-8.
  • • When the reading of Chapter 1 is completed, go back to page 4 in the Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF. Cover the material on pages 4-9. You will cover topics such as: Determining an Author’s Purpose, The Author’s Word Choices, Characters and Literary Devices, and Setting Parts 1 and 2.
  • • The Chapter 1 Challenge ends on page 9. There is a message in red: “This is the end of the Chapter 1 Reading Coach Challenge.” When the Chapter 1 Challenge is complete, move ahead to Lesson 2.

Lesson 2: Five Elements of a Plot

Reminder

All student answers are to be inserted in The Magic Pen Program Worksheets Packet.

Directions: 

Using the The Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF as your guide:

  • • Open The Magic Pen Text PDF. Read Chapter 2 — Pages 9-16.
  • • In the Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF, go over the material on page 10: The Five Elements of a Plot. Study the list with your student. Prepare your students to recite from memory the five elements of a plot, as well as give a short description of each element. 
  • • Have your student complete the Five Elements of a Plot Quiz — Page 5 of the Worksheets Packet.
  • • The Chapter 2 Challenge ends on page 11. When the Chapter 2 Challenge is complete, move ahead to Lesson 3.

Lesson 3: Rising Action

Reminder

All student answers are to be inserted in The Magic Pen Program Worksheets Packet.

Directions: 

Using the The Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF as your guide:

  • • Open The Magic Pen Text PDF. Read Chapter 3 — Pages 17 - 20.
  • • In the Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF, go over the material on pages 12 - 14. 
  • • Have your students complete the questions contained in the Chapter 3 Challenge in their Magic Pen Worksheets Packet on page 6.
  • • The Chapter 3 Challenge ends on page 14. When the Chapter 3 Challenge is complete, move ahead to Lesson 4.

Lesson 4: More Rising Action How Stories End, Lessons and Morals of a Text

Reminder

All student answers are to be inserted in The Magic Pen Program Worksheets Packet.

Directions: 

Using the The Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF as your guide:

  • • Open The Magic Pen Text PDF. Read Chapter 4 — Pages 21 - 29.
  • • In the Magic Pen Virtual Reading Coach Challenges PDF, go over the material on pages 15 - 17. 
  • • Have your students complete the questions and responses contained in the Chapter 3 Challenge in their Magic Pen Worksheets packet on page 7.
  • • The Chapter 4 Challenge ends on page 17. When the Chapter 4 Challenge is complete, move ahead to Lesson 5.

Lesson 5: Discover YOUR Spark!

Directions: 

For this lesson you will go to a separate section of this web site by clicking this link: Discover Your Spark. The directions below are repeated on that page. When that page opens, just follow the step-by-step directions.

  • • Step 1: Read the section “What is a SPARK?”
  • • Step 2: Watch the Video Sparks Matter: Finding Your Spark. Then, review the section “Questions to Help You Discover Your SPARK” .
  • • Step 3: Read the section “What To Do When You Discover Your SPARK.” 
  • • Step 4: After completing Steps 1,2, and 3, click the link to the SPARK Completion Form, fill out the information, and submit the form.

When all five lessons have been covered and the student’s Program Worksheet Packet is complete, it should be turned into the Academic Coordinator to be reviewed and documented. After the review and documentation is complete, the packet will be returned to the student’s folder.

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Crossover Mission Training is a division of Ocean East Publishing. The compilation of materials contained on this web site are provided by Ocean East Publishing for use by Crossover Mission, Inc. employees, volunteers, and members.