The Inside Story provides a look at several different structures, from castles to tepees, over a variety of time periods and geographical locations. Each book begins with a diagram of what is inside the structure then explains how that building is constructed, and provides some social and historical context.

Comprehension Strategy

Visualizing—Try it! Check it!

Often visualizing is a strategy used while reading fiction, as characters and settings take form in a reader’s mind. Young readers may find well-illustrated nonfiction helpful in mastering this strategy. These books show how the buildings are constructed and they provide diagrams of essential components.

"I do" (Teacher models strategy)

Teacher: "First I’ll try it. I am looking at the diagram of (tepee). Now I will close my eyes to see what I can remember. In my head, I see some long poles all tied together near the top and something covering the poles; there is a flap for people to go in and out. Hey, how did I do? Let’s check the picture. I did okay. I included three of the five things. This time I will pretend I am there sitting on a rug down by the fire. I can smell the smoke and feel the heat and the rough rug."

"We Do" (Teacher and students practice together)

Teacher: "Let’s ALL try it together. What’s the first step? (Right! we need to look carefully at the diagram.) Then what? (Yes, we need to close our eyes and make a mental picture.) What do you see? (Call on a child.) Smell? Feel? Do you hear anything? Can you remember the important final step? Look at the diagram again, and while you are looking what do you do? Check it!! Perfect. How did you do? Share with your partner.

"You Do" (Children use the strategy)

As you read the book, periodically model and guide children’s visualizing. Plan to have the children move from teacher guided to independent use of visualizing as you read the other books in this series.

Textual Supports

Predictable two-sentence structure and familiar vocabulary

Each page has a predictable pattern--a general statement and a detail. The picture provides clear context, but students need to use their growing sight vocabulary and decoding skills to read the text.

Textual Challenges

Diagram

The diagram includes most of the challenging words and the picture glossary provides graphic support for content vocabulary.

ESL Connections

Picture Talk

Use the photographs and diagrams to begin discussions. Label the content pictures at the end of the book with children’s native language. Extend the visualizing technique to drawing and labeling important parts of each book.

Language Acquisition

Construction Vocabulary

Different structures need different materials and different construction techniques. As each book is read, create a list of five to ten construction words. Use these lists for playing sorting games, making building posters, and dramatizing how to make each structure.

Integration of Literacy and Social Studies and Science

(Geography) Place child-created drawings of each structure in the appropriate places on a world map.

(History) Compare historical structures with contemporary structures.

(Life Science) Link the environment and the materials used in each building.

Internet Links

www.campsilos.org/mod2/teachers/r3.shtml

A great resource that describes and provides pictures and diagrams of what life was like in a log cabin. (Teacher)

www.igloobuilding.org

A photographic essay of the igloo built and lived in by three Norwegians. (Teacher and children)

www.abdn.ac.uk/english/lion/castles.shtml

A short overview with many pictures, photographs, and diagrams that provide additional detail on the structure and life during medieval times. (Teacher and children)

www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/basics.html

Single page that details the history of skyscrapers. (Teacher)

www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/

Lots of information and excellent photographs based on the PBS NOVA show. (Teacher)

Word Study Skills

-	Two ways to make the long o sound: snow and bone/hole/close
-	Past tense with t: built, lit, kept

Multiple Intelligence Extensions

-	Bodily-Kinesthetic: Make an igloo using foam blocks cut as the Inuits would have cut their ice blocks.
-	Logical-Mathematical: Count the number of blocks in each row of your igloo. Is there a pattern? Try another one.