Middle Grade Learner Reading Courses
Photo by Giuli Canderle on Unsplash
Objective:
Students will continue to improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills through the story “Camp Somerset.”
Duration:
45 minutes
Photo by Patrick Bald on Unsplash
Pre-Reading Activity (10 minutes)
Key Vocabulary:
Conspiratorial (adjective): Sharing a secret or working together in a secret way to plan something. * “The three friends exchanged conspiratorial glances before sneaking out of the house.”
Glee (noun): A feeling of great happiness and excitement. * “The children jumped up and down with glee when they saw the pile of presents.”
Bolder (adjective): Showing more courage and willingness to take risks. * “The acrobat performed a bolder jump than ever before.”
Secluded (adjective): Quiet and private; not seen or visited by many people. * “The couple found a secluded beach to have a picnic.”
Oblivious (adjective): Not aware of something that is happening. * “The driver was oblivious to the red light and drove straight through it.”
Pristine (adjective): Perfectly clean, fresh, or new. * “The hotel room was pristine when we arrived.”
Camaraderie (noun): A feeling of friendship and trust among people who work or spend time together. * “There was a strong sense of camaraderie among the team members.”
Consequences (noun): The results or effects of an action. * “If you break the rules, there will be consequences.”
Photo by Alexe Rice on Unsplash
Reading Activity (20 minutes)
Chapter 2: Muddy Mayhem
The sun beat down on Camp Somerset, another perfect summer day. But unlike the carefree atmosphere of yesterday, a mischievous energy crackled in the air. Max, Joey, and Jaime huddled together, their faces alight with conspiratorial glee. Yesterday's pine needle prank on Molly had been a roaring success, and they were ready to up the score.
"We need something bigger, something bolder!" Max declared, his eyes gleaming. "Something that'll have the whole camp talking!"
"But what?" Jaime asked, his brow furrowed. "We can't just do the pine needles again."
"I've got it!" Joey exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "Mud! We'll cover the counselors in mud!"
The idea was met with enthusiastic approval. The three boys spent the morning scouting out the perfect location for their muddy ambush. They settled on a secluded path near the lake, where the counselors often took their afternoon stroll.
Meanwhile, Molly was enjoying a peaceful afternoon with her friends. Yesterday's prank had been a bit of a shock, but it had ultimately brought them closer together. They were now a tight-knit group, sharing secrets and laughter as they soaked up the summer sun.
As the counselors, oblivious to the impending chaos, approached the muddy path, Max, Joey, and Jaime lay in wait, their buckets filled with thick, gooey mud. With a mischievous yell, they sprang from their hiding place, pelting the unsuspecting counselors with their muddy arsenal.
The scene erupted into chaos. Counselors shrieked, campers gasped, and laughter echoed through the trees. The mud flew thick and fast, transforming the pristine white uniforms into a camouflage of brown.
Molly and her friends, drawn by the commotion, watched the spectacle unfold with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Even Mindy, lost in her world of make-believe, couldn't resist peeking out from behind her enchanted tree to witness the muddy mayhem.
The prank, while undeniably messy, was a resounding success. The counselors, though initially shocked and dismayed, couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. The campers, meanwhile, were in stitches, their spirits lifted by the unexpected display of rebellion.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the mud-splattered camp, a sense of camaraderie filled the air. The prank had brought everyone together. However, the actions of the three boys were not without consequences. They were tasked with taking care of the counselors’ laundry every third day for the remainder of camp.
For Max, Joey and Jaime though, the prank had still been worth it!
Post Reading Activity (15 minutes)
Warm-up (True or False):
True or False? The boys played a prank on the counselors using pine needles.
True or False? Mindy was amused by the boys' muddy prank.
Short Answer:
Where did the boys find the mud for their prank?
How did the campers react to the prank?
What was the consequence for the boys' actions?
Discussion:
Do you think the boys' prank was harmless fun or did it go too far? Explain your answer.
How did the prank affect the overall atmosphere at Camp Somerset?
Answer Key:
Warm-up:
True
True
Short Answer:
The boys found mud near the lake.
The campers laughed and were entertained by the prank.
The boys had to do the counselors' laundry every third day for the rest of camp.
Discussion:
(This is open to interpretation, but students should provide reasons for their opinions. Some might say it was harmless fun because everyone ended up laughing, while others might argue that it was disrespectful to the counselors and created unnecessary mess.)
(Students could discuss how the prank initially caused chaos but ultimately brought a sense of camaraderie and lifted everyone's spirits.)
Credits:
Story and lesson material by… Tyler Golec
Mandarin Translations by… Rosy Lien
Media Contributions by… Tom Dils, Alexe Rice, Patrick Bald and Giuli Canderle