Lesson Plan Aid

for Book Punch™ - A Lion to Guard Us

Grade level 3
Lexile Framework for Reading Measure 360L

Table of Contents

Introduction to Book Punch™ ....................................................................................................................... 1

Printables ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Text-to-Self.................................................................................................................................................... 2
Evidence and Inference ................................................................................................................................ 3
Reading Check.............................................................................................................................................. 4
Curriculum Integration................................................................................................................................... 5
Vocabulary................................................................................................................................................. 5
Character Exploration................................................................................................................................ 5
Group Work and Discussion - Pre-writing ................................................................................................ 6
Additional Writing Prompts ........................................................................................................................ 6

Introduction to Book Punch™

Book Punch guides students through the steps of thinking and writing about well-known upper-elementary
core literature. Students write paragraphs responding to interactive writing prompts. The program tutors
students to develop ideas and organize their thinking about what they have read.

Each program in the Merit Book Punch collection focuses on one book title. Each contains 7 writing
prompts, 600 supporting questions and 600 helpful tips to guide students through each step in the writing
process. The program for each book title comprises three online interactive units as follows:

• Text-to-Self: Based on themes from the book, students write about their own experiences.
• Evidence and Inference: Students connect details with ideas in the book to infer a deeper meaning
from what they have read.
• Reading Check: Students write about important facts and/or events from the book to ensure that they
have read it.

Together, these units develop students’ reading comprehension in complementary ways.

Printables
Each Book Punch title includes 11 printable worksheets, a lesson plan aid, and the Book Punch™ Series
Manual with detailed instructions for implementation. To view and print included documents, self-learners
and teachers click the course name in My Learning Center; tutors and parents click the Programs link in
My Learning Center and then click the Book Punch title.

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Text-to-Self
Text-to-Self writing prompts help to enrich students’ reading experience. Students write paragraphs that
help them relate their own experiences to what they have read in the book. See the topics listed below.

Text-to-Self Topic 1
In the story, Amanda has to make a very important decision for herself and her sister and brother.
Amanda's decision, to search for her father in America, was one that changed the lives of the children
forever. We make many decisions each day. Most of them are not as enormous as Amanda's, but they
are important to us. For example, we may decide to try to reach a particular goal or to try to do something
challenging. Write a paragraph about something that you decided to try for.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 1.)

Text-to-Self Topic 2
In the story, Dr. Crider is very kind to the children after they have been thrown out of the Trippett home.
He helps them to find their way to America. Think about someone who has been kind to you by helping
you in some way. Write a paragraph about the person who was kind to you and describe how he or she
helped you.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 12.)

Text-to-Self Topic 3
In the story, the Lion's Head is lost and then found. The children also find their father. Think about a time
when you lost something and then found it again. Think of how you felt. Write a paragraph about a time
when you lost something and then found it again.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read the entire book.)

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 Book Punch – A Lion to Guard Us page 3 of 6

Evidence and Inference

See the writing prompts below and the accompanying list of questions, the answers to which should be
included in a satisfactory paragraph. Help students determine whether they have recognized (inferred)
the ideas in the book from the details (evidence) given.

Evidence and Inference Topic 1

A small object can bring comfort at a time of stress and change. In the story, the children carry a special
object with them to America. Write a paragraph about this object and its importance to Meg, Jemmy and
Amanda.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 2.)

1. What is the special object the children carry with them to America? Describe this special object.
2. Where did the special object come from, and how did the children get it?
3. What does this object represent in the story?
4. What is the importance of the object at the end of the story?

Evidence and Inference Topic 2

A terrible event can lead to an important decision. In the story, the children embark on the long and
dangerous journey to America. Write a paragraph describing the events that lead up to that journey.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 3.)

1. Where do the children live and why do they live there?

2. What happens to the children's mother?
3. What does Amanda tell Mistress Trippett? What does Amanda ask Mistress Trippett for?
4. What is Mistress Trippett's reaction to Amanda's plans and request? What is Amanda's response?

Evidence and Inference Topic 3

During the 1600s, voyages by sea were difficult and dangerous undertakings. It took courage to make the
journey. Write a paragraph describing life on board the Sea Adventure.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read the entire book.)

1. Where did the children stay on the ship?

2. Where did the ladies and gentlemen stay on the ship?
3 What were the dangers of traveling by ship in the 1600s?
4. What did the children do for fun on board the ship?

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 Book Punch – A Lion to Guard Us page 4 of 6

Reading Check
The Reading Check unit evaluates students’ paragraphs using a key point check to determine if the
student has read the book. See the Reading Check writing prompt below and the list of questions that
accompany it, the answers to which should be included in a satisfactory paragraph.

Reading Check Topic

In the story, Amanda takes responsibility for her younger brother and sister. Even though she is only ten
years old, she must make important decisions. Write a paragraph that describes the decisions Amanda
must make. Be specific and give examples from the story.

1. After Amanda leaves Mistress Trippett's house, to what faraway place does she want to go and why?
2. What happens to the children as a result of Amanda's decision to ask Mrs. Trippet for the money their
mother had been saving for them?
3. What does Jemmy do on board the ship to make Amanda decide to hide the inexpensive lion's head?
4. When the children first arrive on the island, Amanda makes a big decision about where they will live.
What does she decide?

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 Book Punch – A Lion to Guard Us page 5 of 6

Curriculum Integration
See the Book Punch™ Series Manual. The Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary section and the
Beyond the Program section provide detailed instructions for implementing vocabulary, character and
pre-writing lessons. The Book Punch™ Series Manual includes printable worksheets for these lessons.

Vocabulary
See the Vocabulary Exploration worksheet in the Book Punch™ Series Manual. Thematic words from A
Lion to Guard Us that can be explored include:
VOCABULARY DEFINITION
courage Ability to meet danger
determination Strong intention
independence Makes own decisions

Vocabulary particular to the time and setting of A Lion to Guard Us include:

VOCABULARY DEFINITION
admiral A naval officer
canvas A strong cloth
carpenter A wood worker
colony Settled land
harbor A water port
knocker A device for knocking
New World Western Hemisphere, the Americas
packet A shipping boat
pallet A floor bed
voyage A journey

The Word Search Puzzle and Crossword Puzzle worksheets that are included contain many of the words
above. They can be used to reinforce the vocabulary in the book.

Character Exploration
See the Character Exploration worksheet and the Compare and Contrast worksheet in the Book Punch™
Series Manual. Here are suggested character exploration prompts for classroom discussion:

Imagine that Amanda is your friend in real life. Write words and phrases that would help you
describe her to someone who didn't know her. (What does Amanda look like? What kind of
personality does she have? What does she like to do?)

Compare and contrast Amanda with Mistress Trippet, or another character in the book.

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 Book Punch – A Lion to Guard Us page 6 of 6

Group Work and Discussion - Pre-writing

See the Brainstorming worksheet in the Book Punch™ Series Manual. Here is a suggested topic for
classroom discussion:

Dr. Crider is an important character in the story. Write a paragraph describing Dr. Crider, his
character, and his actions. Your paragraph should include information about what happens to the
doctor. Be detailed and use evidence from the text to support your statements.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 12.)

Additional Writing Prompts

See the Independent Follow-up worksheet in the Book Punch™ Series Manual. Using the context of A
Lion to Guard Us, and the Independent Follow-up worksheet, students may continue the writing process
after publishing their paragraphs from Book Punch. Here are two additional topics students can write
about:

In the story, Amanda works hard. She cooks, cleans, and sews. When the children are
shipwrecked, they all work hard to build a shelter and to survive. Think of responsibilities you
have and how you feel about them. Write about a responsibility you have.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 13.)

In the story, Amanda takes very good care of her brother and sister. She loves them very much.
Even when Jemmy does things that make her worry, she is proud of him. In the story it says,
“Whatever he did, it seemed she was proud of him.” Think of a time you made someone proud of
what you did. Write a paragraph about what you did that made someone proud.
(This topic is recommended for students who have read through Chapter 22.)

copyright © 2008 Merit Software

See the Book Punch™ Series Manual for printable worksheets.

Merit Software • www.bookpunch.com • 800-753-6488 • 212-675-8567