Activity Overview
| Text Connections | |
|---|---|
| Text to Text | Connection that reminds you of something in another book or story |
| Text to Self | Connection that reminds you of something in your life. |
| Text to World | Connection that reminds you of something happening in the world. |
The Stories Julian Tells is a great book for young readers because many of the stories are relatable to children. The small chapter book is loaded with many different life experiences: losing your first tooth, growing a garden, or making a friend. Students can easily make text-to-self connections throughout the book.
In this activity, students will create a storyboard showing some of the text-to-self connections they made throughout the book.
Here is an example:
Chapter 1: The Pudding Like a Night on the Sea
Text: "My father is a big man with wild black hair. When he laughs, the sun laughs in the windowpanes. When he thinks, you can almost see his thoughts sitting on all the table and chairs. When he is angry, me and my little brother, Huey, shiver to the bottom of our shoes.”
Self: My dad is a big man with wild grey hair. He also has a big booming laugh, but when he is angry I know to stay away from him.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows connections you have made with The Stories Julian Tells.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create an image for each connection using scenes, characters, items, and text boxes.
- Write a description of how the text relates to you.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text Connections | Student made and labeled all three text connections correctly. | Student made and labeled two text connections correctly. | Student made and labeled one text connection correctly. |
| Examples of Connections | All examples of connections support understanding of text. | Most examples of connections support understanding of text. | Most examples of connections do not support understanding of text or are difficult to understand. |
| Illustration of Examples | Ideas are well organized. Images clearly show the connections student made with the text. | Ideas are organized. Most images help to show the connections student made with the text. | Ideas are not well organized. Images are difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
| Text Connections | |
|---|---|
| Text to Text | Connection that reminds you of something in another book or story |
| Text to Self | Connection that reminds you of something in your life. |
| Text to World | Connection that reminds you of something happening in the world. |
The Stories Julian Tells is a great book for young readers because many of the stories are relatable to children. The small chapter book is loaded with many different life experiences: losing your first tooth, growing a garden, or making a friend. Students can easily make text-to-self connections throughout the book.
In this activity, students will create a storyboard showing some of the text-to-self connections they made throughout the book.
Here is an example:
Chapter 1: The Pudding Like a Night on the Sea
Text: "My father is a big man with wild black hair. When he laughs, the sun laughs in the windowpanes. When he thinks, you can almost see his thoughts sitting on all the table and chairs. When he is angry, me and my little brother, Huey, shiver to the bottom of our shoes.”
Self: My dad is a big man with wild grey hair. He also has a big booming laugh, but when he is angry I know to stay away from him.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows connections you have made with The Stories Julian Tells.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create an image for each connection using scenes, characters, items, and text boxes.
- Write a description of how the text relates to you.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text Connections | Student made and labeled all three text connections correctly. | Student made and labeled two text connections correctly. | Student made and labeled one text connection correctly. |
| Examples of Connections | All examples of connections support understanding of text. | Most examples of connections support understanding of text. | Most examples of connections do not support understanding of text or are difficult to understand. |
| Illustration of Examples | Ideas are well organized. Images clearly show the connections student made with the text. | Ideas are organized. Most images help to show the connections student made with the text. | Ideas are not well organized. Images are difficult to understand. |
How Tos about The Stories Julian Tells Text Connections
How can I help students make meaningful text-to-world connections with 'The Stories Julian Tells'?
Encourage students to relate events in the book to real-world issues or events. Text-to-world connections help students see literature’s relevance beyond their own lives.
Start with a class discussion about big themes in the book.
Guide students to identify themes like family, friendship, or honesty in 'The Stories Julian Tells.' Connecting themes to the world builds context and understanding.
Connect story moments to current events or community happenings.
Ask students if anything in the story reminds them of news stories, community events, or cultural celebrations. This helps them draw parallels between fiction and real life.
Use graphic organizers to map text-to-world connections.
Provide charts or Venn diagrams for students to visually link book events to world events. Visual tools make abstract connections concrete and accessible.
Share and discuss connections as a class.
Invite students to present their text-to-world connections and explain their thinking. Class sharing fosters deeper understanding and multiple perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Stories Julian Tells Text Connections
What are text-to-self connections in The Stories Julian Tells?
Text-to-self connections in The Stories Julian Tells are moments when students relate events or characters from the book to their own lives. For example, a child might connect Julian's experiences with their own feelings about family or friendship.
How can I help students make text connections with The Stories Julian Tells?
Encourage students to reflect on their own experiences while reading. Ask guiding questions like, “Have you ever felt like Julian?” or “Does this remind you of something in your life?” Using a storyboard activity can help them visualize and describe these connections.
What is an example of a text-to-self connection from The Stories Julian Tells?
An example is comparing Julian’s description of his father to a student's own father. For instance, Julian says his father has wild black hair and a big laugh. A student might connect this to their own dad’s appearance or behavior.
Why are text connections important for young readers?
Text connections help students deepen comprehension by relating stories to their own lives, other books, or the world. This makes reading more meaningful and encourages higher engagement with the material.
What activities can I use to teach text-to-self connections in grade 3-4?
Use creative tasks like storyboards, journals, or group discussions. Ask students to draw or write about times they felt like the characters. These activities help reinforce the concept of connecting personal experiences to the text.
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Stories Julian Tells, The
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