You've learned a bit about Student B from the conversation he had in the hallway and his reaction to the reading check quiz. Discuss the following prompts regarding this students and Mr. Plot-a-long's methods. Be sure to record the best ideas that you come up with for each prompt, as they may be useful in helping Student B and Mr. Plot-a-long!

1. Mr. Plot-a-long works with a largely at-risk population, as over half of his students qualify for free and reduced meals, over two thirds are from single parent households, and over three quarters read below the 7th grade level. Do you agree with passing out an assignment assessing students on their comprehension of a text that is not discussed or worked with in class, such as the low-stake reading check quiz that Mr. Plot-a-long passed out?

2. What does Mr. Plot-a-long believe about teaching reading? How do those beliefs influence his methods for teaching reading? What are some limitations of his beliefs and methods?

3. How would your approach to teaching reading differ from Mr. Plot-a-longs approach? What are some reasons for those differences? How might you engage students in comprehending this short story?

After discussing your own ideas, check out these websites for more ideas:

a) http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/teaching-plot-structure-through-401.html
b) http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/25495.aspx

Now, you're ready to take action in Mr. Plot-a-long's Classroom. Head back to his classroom and click on "Revise the Reading Check."