Teaching Sequence

15 minutes – Part A: Lesson Introduction
30 minutes – Part B: Student Activity
10 minutes – Part C: Sharing of learning
5 minutes – Part D: Reflection

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

Part A: Lesson Introduction

Step 1. Write the learning intentions and success criteria on the whiteboard for all to see. These have intentionally been written to assist students to internalise them as their own goals for the lesson. Invite students to read them aloud.

Step 2. Project Page 11 of the Faber-Castell - Product Knowledge Manual. Explain that you will be using this resource to show how to find the main idea in the text. Read the text aloud.

Step 3. Explain that you will now return to the text and find the main points in each paragraph. Have a copy of the Reading Skills Worksheet (editable) displayed to record information as you explain it.

Read paragraph 1, highlight, underline or point out the following statements:

one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors

global reputation

world’s major manufacturer

And then say:

This section focuses on the fact that Faber-Castell are a world leader in their field.

Record this final statement in the Paragraph 1 box of the Reading Skills Worksheet.

Read paragraph 2, highlight, underline or point out the following statements:

employs about 5,500 employees in 15 production facilities and 18 sales and distribution companies

Faber-Castell Brazil is the largest colour pencil factory in the world

And then state:

This section focuses on the large number of worksites and employees that Faber-Castell have.

Record this final statement in the Paragraph 2 box of the Reading Skills Worksheet.

Read paragraph 3. Highlight, underline or point out the following statements:

The internationalisation of Faber-Castell began as far back as 1849

presence in a total of 19 countries

international group of companies with German roots

And then state:

This section focus on the international scale of the company.

Record this final statement in the Paragraph 3 box of the Reading Skills Worksheet.

Step 4. Explain that you will now look at the images and headings in the text and think about their main point.

Point to the larger image at the top and state:

This image shows the size of a Faber-Castell site.

Record this statement in the Top Image section of the Reading Skills Worksheet.

Point to the smaller images at the bottom and state:

These images show that there are many different Faber-Castell sites around the world. This shows how far reaching the company is.

Record the final statement in the Bottom Image section of the Reading Skills Worksheet.

Read the title aloud. State:

This title focuses on the idea of a ‘universal’ language, using this term to emphasise the multi-national nature of the company.

In the Title section of the Reading Skills Worksheet, write:

Faber-Castell is a multi-national company.

Step 5. State to students:

Once we have identified the main points in each section of the text, we need to think about them all together and ‘synthesise’ the information to work out the main idea of the whole text. This means thinking about how the main points in all sections link together.

Read aloud all the statements recorded on the Reading Skills Worksheet, then state:

All of the points we have written down here focus on the size and magnitude of the company, either on how much it produces, how many work sites, how many employees or how many countries. When I put all of this information together it makes me think that the main idea of this text is that Faber-Castell is a successful international company.

In the Main Idea section of the Example Worksheet, write:

Faber-Castell is a successful international company.

Part B: Student Activity

Step 1. Provide students each with a copy of the Pages 2 & 4 of the Faber-Castell Sustainability Leaflet and a copy of the Reading Skills Worksheet. Explain that the worksheet involves them following the same process demonstrated to identify the main idea for a new text.

Part C: Class Share and Discussion

Step 1. Explain to students that they will now have an opportunity to share and discuss their thoughts. Invite all students to find a partner, and share:

What they thought the main idea of the text was.
Their summary of Faber-Castell as a company.

Repeat the activity, providing the opportunity for students to each share with 3 different partners.

Return to a group discussion and pose the question:

Did everyone have the same interpretation of the main idea?

If students have different interpretations, engage in a group discussion about the evidence for each and whether they are valid. Encourage debate about what is most likely the intended main idea, prompting students to share evidence for their suggestions.

Pose the second question:

What types of things did everyone focus on in their summary of Faber-Castell?

Encourage a variety of responses and ensure contrasting examples are shared. Extend on the earlier prior focus on difference in interpretation, emphasising that while some may have focused on the magnitude of the company, others may have focused on their social conscientiousness.

Reflection

Provide students with time to consider the skills learnt in this lesson, thinking about the following (questions also available on the Student Worksheet):

What new reading skill have I learnt?
How can I use this in the future?

Differentiated Learning

Extension – Students are encouraged to consider contrasting viewpoints of their peers and consider what supporting evidence there is for each differing view to determine the most valid suggestions.

Provisions for Learning Support – If students find in challenging to complete the worksheet independently, encourage them to work with a partner.

Teacher Reflection

What's The Point? (Reading Skills NAPLAN)

Go to

Summary

Learning intentions:

Students will...

Success criteria:

Students can...

Lesson Guides and Printables

Lesson Details

Skills

Curriculum Mapping

Resources Required

Additional Info

In this lesson