Purpose: Run a complete lesson using Chapter 3 and the Student Self-Study page as the student material.
Recommended Level: A2–B1 | Lesson Length: 30–45 minutes (with options to expand to 60+)
1) Lesson Overview
- Theme: trust, responsibility, courage, and proving your value.
- Skills: Listening, reading, speaking (opinions + retell), short writing.
- Outcome: Student can explain how Boone helps stop trouble, and discuss trust and “earning your keep.”
Tutor tip: Keep the story page open (audio + text) in one tab and the Student Self-Study page open in another tab.
2) Materials
- Chapter 3 page (audio + story text)
- Student Self-Study lesson page (vocab + questions + prompts)
- Optional: student notebook / Google Doc for writing task
- Optional: Tutor Note on using the Student Writing Workbook
3) 30–45 Minute Lesson Flow
A) Warm-Up (3–5 minutes)
Ask 2–3 questions. Keep it conversational.
- Can animals help people work? How?
- Have you ever “proved yourself” at a new job or school?
- What makes you trust someone?
Goal: Activate topic language (trust, proof, danger, protect, responsibility).
B) Pre-Teach Vocabulary (5–7 minutes)
Choose 6–8 items only. Quick definition + student sentence.
| Target Word/Phrase | Simple Meaning | Quick Prompt (Tutor Use) |
|---|---|---|
| pasture | field for animals | “What animals live in a pasture?” |
| froze | stopped suddenly | “When do you freeze?” |
| bolted | ran suddenly | “Bolt: good or bad in this story?” |
| brush | thick bushes | “Could someone hide in brush?” |
| crouched | hid low | “Show me a crouch.” |
| rustlers | cattle thieves | “Why steal cattle?” |
| hobbled | tied a horse’s legs | “Why hobble a horse?” |
| earned his keep | proved usefulness | “How can someone earn their keep?” |
Pronunciation tip: Drill “pasture,” “crouched,” “rustlers,” “hobbled.” Model → student repeat → short sentence.
C) First Listening (Big Idea) (4–6 minutes)
- Open the Chapter 3 page.
- Student listens once without reading (or reads minimally).
- Ask: “In one sentence, what is this chapter mainly about?”
Expected big idea: Boone alerts Jake to rustlers hiding near the river, and the ranch stays safe because Boone and Jake act fast.
D) Read While Listening (8–12 minutes)
- Play audio again while the student reads along.
- Pause briefly after these moments:
- Boone freezes and then bolts toward the cottonwoods
- Jake finds the two men hiding in the brush
- Boone blocks their retreat
- Caldwell arrives and decides to take them to town
- Caldwell praises Boone at the end
Mini-checks while pausing: “What just happened?” “Why is this suspicious?” “How does Boone help?”
E) Comprehension Q&A (6–10 minutes)
Use the student page questions. Student answers aloud first.
- If the student struggles, ask smaller guiding questions.
- Encourage complete sentences, but don’t over-correct.
Helpful follow-ups: “Which details show danger?” “Which details show Boone is brave?”
F) Speaking Output (10–15 minutes)
Choose 2–3 prompts depending on time. Aim for 1–2 minutes per answer.
- Was Boone’s running a problem at first? Why does Jake trust him?
- Is Caldwell a good leader? Give reasons from the story.
- What would you do if you found suspicious people near your home?
- Retell the story in 5 sentences (setting → problem → action → result → ending).
Fluency trick: After the student answers, ask: “Tell me again, but simpler.” Then: “Tell me again with more details.”
G) Writing Task (Homework or In-Class) (5–10 minutes)
If there’s time, do it in class. If not, assign as homework.
- Option A: Write 5–8 sentences summarizing the chapter.
- Option B: Write about a time you proved you could be trusted.
- Option C: Continue: write the supper scene where Boone is “welcome” in the big house.
4) Optional Expansions (for 60+ minutes)
A) Role-play (5–10 minutes)
- Scene 1: Caldwell complains Boone is chasing rabbits; Jake defends Boone.
- Scene 2: Jake confronts the two men (polite but firm).
- Goal: Use calm control language: “Easy…,” “You’ll walk out quiet and easy,” “Hands where I can see them.”
B) Retell Challenge (5–10 minutes)
Student retells using this structure:
- Setting (morning ride / west pasture)
- Signal (Boone freezes and bolts)
- Discovery (two men hiding)
- Control (Boone blocks retreat)
- Result (sheriff takes them; Caldwell praises Boone)
C) Light Grammar Focus (Optional, 5 minutes)
- Past tense verbs: swung, carried, froze, bolted, crouched, hesitated, turned.
- Reported speech: Caldwell said…, Jake told…, one man swore…
5) Simple Wrap-Up Script (1–2 minutes)
Wrap-up: “Today’s chapter shows how trust and quick action keep the ranch safe. Boone proves he is more than a pet—he’s part of the ranch team.”
Final question: “What detail best shows Boone ‘earned his keep,’ and why?”