Guided Reading Lesson:
Underwater

Introduction/Background Knowledge

  • What lives in the ocean?
  • What do you think a fish that lights up would look like?
  • Imagine what it would be like to live underwater. How would you get around?

In this book, Ben and his pals-Ted, Sam, and Pam live in a world underwater. They swim everywhere. They meet a new underwater friend and find a magical mountain. Let’s read to find out about their adventures underwater.

Chapter 1

Key Vocabulary
swam, pit, fish, dot lit fish

Comprehension Questions:

  • Where does the story take place?
  • What does Ben meet in the first chapter?
  • Where is Ben going when he sees the dot lit fish?

Critical Thinking Questions

  • Why do you think Ben and his pals don’t need breathing masks underwater?
  • Why do you think Ben kept thinking about the dot lit fish?
  • Make a prediction for what you think will happen in chapter two.

Chapter 2

Key Vocabulary
school, lit, thank you

Comprehension Questions

  • What did Ben do when he got to school?
  • What did Ben do after school?
  • How do you play Tap the Fin?
  • Why did Ben almost step on a bug?

Critical Thinking Questions

  • How does Ben feel about the dot lit fish?
  • How did Ben feel when the sun went down?
  • What character traits can you use to describe the dot lit fish?
  • Do you think Ben’s pals are jealous of the dot lit fish? Why or why not?

Chapter 3

Key Vocabulary
black pit, lives, gems

Comprehension Questions

  • What color pit did Ben find the dot lit fish in?
  • Where are Ben and the dot lit fish going?
  • Who do Ben and the dot lit fish meet on the way to Gem Hill? Describe what the fish looks like?
  • What do Ben and the dot lit fish do to get away from the big fat fish with a pin in its fin?

Critical Thinking Questions

  • How do you think Ben and the dot lit fish feel about the big fat fish with a pin inits fin?
  • What do you think Gem Hill will look like?
  • Predict what you think will happen in the next chapter.

Chapter 4

Key Vocabulary
around

Comprehension Questions

  • Did Ben and the dot lit fish know where they were going?
  • Was Gem Hill close or far away?
  • What does Gem Hill look like?
  • What happens when the big fat fish comes?
  • Who does Ben want to bring to the hill? Why?

Critical Thinking Questions

  • Would you say Ben and the dot lit fish are brave? Why or why not?
  • Do you think it was a good idea for Ben and the dot lit fish to swim so far away from their home? Why or why not?
  • Do you think Ben’s pals will like Gem Hill?

Chapter 5

Key Vocabulary
found, before

Comprehension Questions

  • Where are Ben and his pals going?
  • What is the problem in the chapter?
  • How do the characters solve the problem?
  • What happened when they tried to pick up the gem?

Critical Thinking Questions

  • Can you find an example in the chapter where Ben was being brave?
  • How do you think the pals felt when they saw the big fast fish with a pin in its fin?
  • Make a connection-Can you think of a time when you felt scared?
  • Make a prediction for the last chapter.

Chapter 6

Key Vocabulary
away, again, No way!

Comprehension Questions

  • What did Ben think the big fat fish wanted in the beginning of chapter?
  • What was the problem in this chapter?
  • How was the problem solved?
  • Where were the pals going to at the end of the chapter?

Critical Thinking Questions

  • Were you surprised when you found out what the big fat fish wanted? Why or why not?
  • What else do you think the big fat fish would like to eat?

Book Extension Activities

  • Fill in a story map- character, setting, problem solution.
  • In the book, Ben and his pals were scared of the big fat fish. Draw a picture of something you are scared of.
  • If you could create your own Gem Hill what would it look like?
  • If you were the author how would you change the ending of the book?