Readworks The Other Side Of The Magic Shop
Readworks is a platform that provides K-12 teachers with free reading comprehension resources. One of the many resources available on Readworks is a story called "The Other Side of the Magic Shop" by Tamara Shiloh. This story is perfect for students in grades 4-5 and focuses on the themes of friendship, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles. Let's dive into the details of this story and see why it's such a great resource for teachers.
The Plot
The story begins with a young girl named Leah who is dealing with the recent loss of her mother. Leah's father owns a magic shop but she has never been interested in magic. One day, Leah meets a boy named Jasper who changes her perspective on magic and helps her see its beauty. Leah and Jasper become friends and spend time together learning magic tricks and performing shows for their community. However, Leah's father is struggling to keep the magic shop open and the future of the shop is uncertain. Leah and Jasper come up with a plan to save the magic shop and in the end, their friendship and determination help them overcome the obstacles they face.
The Themes
The story touches on several important themes that are relevant to students in grades 4-5. The theme of friendship is prominent throughout the story as Leah and Jasper's friendship grows stronger despite their differences. The theme of perseverance is also present as Leah and Jasper work hard to save the magic shop. The theme of overcoming obstacles is another important theme as Leah and Jasper face several challenges throughout the story but ultimately succeed in their goal. These themes can be used as starting points for classroom discussions and can help students apply the lessons learned in the story to their own lives.
The Reading Levels
The Other Side of the Magic Shop is a level O book on the Fountas & Pinnell reading level scale. This means that it is appropriate for students in grades 4-5 who are reading at a level O or above. The book has a Lexile measure of 780L which is also appropriate for students in grades 4-5. The book is written in a way that is engaging and easy to read, making it a great resource for struggling readers as well.
The Lesson Plans
Readworks provides free lesson plans to accompany the story which makes it easy for teachers to integrate the story into their curriculum. The lesson plans are designed to help students develop their reading comprehension skills and include activities such as vocabulary development, making predictions, and summarizing. The lesson plans also include discussion questions that can be used to facilitate classroom discussions about the themes of the story.
The Benefits
Using "The Other Side of the Magic Shop" in the classroom has several benefits. First, the story is engaging and relatable which helps to keep students interested and motivated. Second, the story touches on important themes that can be used to teach valuable life lessons. Third, the story is appropriate for students in grades 4-5 who are reading at a level O or above which makes it easily accessible to a wide range of students. Lastly, the free lesson plans provided by Readworks make it easy for teachers to integrate the story into their curriculum and develop their students' reading comprehension skills.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Other Side of the Magic Shop" by Tamara Shiloh is a fantastic resource for K-12 teachers looking to improve their students' reading comprehension skills. The story is engaging, easy to read, and touches on important themes that can be used to teach valuable life lessons. The free lesson plans provided by Readworks make it easy for teachers to integrate the story into their curriculum and develop their students' reading comprehension skills. Overall, "The Other Side of the Magic Shop" is a valuable resource for any teacher looking to improve their students' reading comprehension skills.