What's Important about Reading?
The lesson highlights Thomas Preston Jr., the November nominee of the 2024 SC African American History calendar. It also discusses the importance of reading.
Essential Question
Why is learning to read so important? What role does access to resources play in developing a healthy, flourishing reading life?
Grade(s):
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Chromebooks or Laptops
Chart paper
Markers
Journals
Pencils/Pens
The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
The teacher should make adjustments and modifications as needed to meet the needs of the students in his/her classroom.
Lesson Progression
- As students enter the room, have a picture of Thomas Preston, Jr. displayed on the board. Once everyone is settled, inform students that Thomas Preston is the November nominee of the 2024 SC African American History calendar.
- Inform students that because of his hard work and tenacity, he has been able to accomplish a lot in his lifetime and that is one of the reasons why he was selected as a nominee for the calendar.
- Share some of his accomplishments with the class including being a graduate of the University of South Carolina where he also received a doctorate at the School of Law, the first African American chair of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, and the current global vice president at The Boeing Company.
- Next ask if anyone has every heard of Cocky's Reading Express. If so, allow students to share what they know along with any experiences they have had. Afterwards, share that Cocky's Reading Express is a program that travels around the state with Cocky, providing free books to students and motivating them to read.
- In addition, Tommy Preston, Jr. is credited with being the founder of this wonderful program. In fact, the program has handed out over 150,000 books to children. Discuss with students why they believe a program that promotes reading and shares books with students across our state is beneficial.
- Invite students to share some of their favorite books, genres, reading experiences, as well as what they like most about reading.
- Introduce the picture book The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown. As you are reading the book aloud, challenge students to be thinking about how they would describe reading and why we need to ensure everyone has access to books and resources.
- Following the reading, students write about what they think is most important about reading. Younger students can complete this sentence: "The most important thing about reading is..." Students may choose to decorate their page or include any additional information they would like to share about reading.
- Review why reading is vital and the important role it plays in our society. Challenge students to think of ways we can ensure more people have access to books and resources.
Teacher Notes
The teacher should make adjustments to the lesson plan, assessment, and activities as needed to meet the needs of the students in their classroom.
Students' writing could be collected and and use to create a class book entitled "The Important Thing about Reading."
Cocky's Reading Express Promoting Early Literacy Across SC | Palmetto Scene
The Cocky’s Reading Express is a literacy program in which students from the University of South Carolina read to the children. The USC mascot, Cocky, helps the children understand the importance of...
View Asset2024 South Carolina African American History Calendar
This is a link to the 2024 SC African American History calendar.
View ResourceTommy Preston, Jr video highlight
Video highlight of Tommy Preston, the November nominee of the 2024 SC African American History calendar.
View ResourceFellows Spotlight: Tommy Preston, Jr.
South Carolina Sustaining Life Fellow Tommy Preston, Jr.
View ResourceTommy Preston, Jr. named VP of ethics for Boeing
University of South Carolina School of Law celebrates Tommy Preston's recent promotion
View ResourceStandards
- ELA.1.OE.2 Acquire, refine, and share knowledge through a variety of multimedia literacies to include written, oral, visual, digital, and interactive texts.
- ELA.1.C.1.1 Write opinion pieces about a topic. When writing: a. introduce an opinion and include reasons to support the opinion; b. include grade-appropriate transitions; and c. provide a concluding statement or idea.
- ELA.2.OE.2 Acquire, refine, and share knowledge through a variety of multimedia literacies to include written, oral, visual, digital, and interactive texts.
- ELA.C.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
- ELA.AOR.2 Evaluate and critique the development of themes and central ideas within and across texts.
- ELA.AOR.2 Evaluate and critique the development of themes and central ideas within and across texts.
- ELA.AOR.2 Evaluate and critique the development of themes and central ideas within and across texts.
Assessments
Using The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown as a pattern, students write what they think is important about reading.
