Realistic fiction The Real McCoy – Rigby

encounters with the “mean kid” support
what we already know about
him? Would Devin be a friend of yours?
Explain.
2. Discuss the genre and how elements
of this story fit that genre.
How does the author’s use of dialogue
fit the genre? How does the use of
slang add to the realism of the story?
How does the setting in Chapter 1 differ
from that in Chapter 2? How are
they both realistic?
3. Depending on students’ success
with the book, address one or
more of the following teaching
points each day during the fiveday
teaching sequence.
★ COMPREHENSION STRATEGY
★ Synthesizing: Retelling in order
to clarify Ask students to express
the benefits of retelling a story by
engaging them in a discussion.
How does retelling refresh your memory
of what happened in a story? How
does it help you focus on key events?
How do you use the elements in a
story (such as setting, characters, plot)
to help you retell it?
Invite students to begin filling in a
Story Elements Chart (See the
Rigby Literacy Graphic Organizer
Book,p.15).They can add to their
charts as they progress through the
book. At the completion of the
book, ask volunteers to use their
charts to retell the story, focusing
on key events and main characters.
★ LITERACY SKILLS
★ Distinguishing types of genre
Review the characteristics of realistic
fiction. Discuss the setting and
characters. How are they realistic?
Talk about the dialogue used
throughout the book. How does
it give readers insight about the
characters’ personalities?
★ Identifying character Present
students with the definitions for
“main” character and “minor”
character. Can they identify the
main characters and the minor
characters in The Real McCoy?
Have them justify their answers.
Then ask students to find evidence
in the text that describes these
characters.
★ Identifying author’s style of
writing Point out how the author’s
style (which incorporates figurative
language, modern dialogue,
imagery, and so on) makes The
Real McCoy realistic and entertaining.
Can students find examples of
the author’s literary style as they
read? Which elements of this
author’s style might students want
to incorporate in their own writing?
★ Distinguishing fantasy from
reality Read aloud from the
bottom of page 12 (“So it’ll be just
me and Mom…”) to the end of
page 13.Then engage students in a
discussion about Devin’s one-sided
conversation with Squeezie.
Did you expect Squeezie to respond to
Devin’s inquiry about the future? Why
or why not? In your opinion, could the
author have added a fantasy element
to the story by having Squeezie
respond? Would the story still be considered
realistic fiction?
★ Identifying diphthongs The
diphthongs ou and ow, as pronounced
in the words out and cow,
The Real McCoy 53 F