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?