Throwing Fire Teacher Script
SPED 5th Grade (3rd GL) Lesson 7.4 Teacher Script
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7.4 Do Now: "Throwing Fire" — Teacher Call Script
Economy of Language • Choral & Cold Call Cues • 3rd Grade Level Complete Answers
Choral Call Signal hand drop → Whole class responds together.
Cold Call Ask question → Wait 4 seconds → Say student name.
Question 1: King Already Recognizes Nou's Ability Para 15 [BRACKET #1]
Say: "Finger on Question 1. Circle: already recognizes. That means BEFORE he reads the name. Go to Paragraph 15."
Cold Call Cue: "What does the king do when he picks up Nou's stick? Think. (Wait 4 seconds) ... [Student Name]."
Student Target: "He smiles!" / "He feels it is hollow."
Choral Call Cue: "Everyone, read choice B with me. Ready... (Hand drop)"
Whole Class: “He notices its curious hollowness, and he smiles.”
Complete 3rd Grade Level Answer & Explanation: The correct choice is: “He notices its curious hollowness, and he smiles.” This shows the king already knows Nou is smart. The king smiles because he sees that Nou made the stick hollow so it could float on the wind.
Question 2: Evidence Last Firebrand Belongs to Nou Para 14 [BRACKET #2]
Say: "Look at Question 2. Did the big warriors' sticks fly far? No, they fell into the sea. Look at Paragraph 14."
Choral Call Cue: "Class, what helped the last firebrand fly? Ready... (Hand drop)"
Whole Class: "The wind!"
Cold Call Cue: "Which choice says the stick was lifted by wind? (Wait 4 seconds) ... [Student Name]."
Student Target: "Choice A: '...firebrand soars overhead, lifted by the wind.'"
Complete 3rd Grade Level Answer & Explanation: The correct choice is: “…firebrand soars overhead, lifted by the wind.” This proves the stick belongs to Nou. Nou made his stick light and hollow so the wind could carry it higher than any other stick.
Question 3: Best Summary Story Big Picture
Say: "Question 3 asks for the BEST summary. A summary tells the whole story, not just one small detail. Choice C tells the whole problem and how Nou won."
Choral Call Cue: "Class, read the best summary together. Choice C. Ready... (Hand drop)"
Whole Class: "Nou creates a firebrand that will work with the wind, and his intelligence and cleverness win him honor."
Complete 3rd Grade Level Answer & Explanation: The correct choice is: "Nou creates a firebrand that will work with the wind, and his intelligence and cleverness win him honor." This is the best summary because it tells who Nou is, his smart plan, and how he won the contest.
7.4 Do Now: "Throwing Fire" • Teacher Script Economy of Language & 3rd Grade Reading Level Calibration
Discussion Notes & Summary Page 2 of 4
Discussion Notes & Written Summary Script
Verbatim Calls • Graphic Scaffolding • 3rd Grade Reading Level Written Answers
Discussion Notes #1 & 2: What makes Nou's firebrand different? Cold Call Routine
Say: "Finger on line #1 & 2. Question: What makes Nou's firebrand different than everyone else's? Look at paragraph 8."
Cold Call Cue: "What kind of wood did Nou use? Think. (Wait 4 seconds) ... [Student Name]."
Student Target: "Papala wood" / "Light wood."
Choral Call Cue: "What did he carve out of the center? Ready... (Hand drop)"
Whole Class: "The pith! He made it hollow!"
Complete 3rd Grade Level Answer for Student Handout:
Nou’s firebrand is different because it is made from light papala wood and is hollow inside. The other warriors made heavy sticks that fell fast. Nou made his stick light so the wind could carry it far over the sea.
Discussion Notes #3: Summary Scaffold (Who / What / Why) Turn & Talk (30s)
Turn & Talk Cue: "Turn to your partner. Partner A tells Partner B: Who is the story about, what did he do, and why did he do it? Go. (30 seconds)."
Who: Nou, a small young man called "Ukiki" (little runt).
What: He carves a light, hollow stick that floats on the wind.
Why: To throw far and show he is clever, not weak.
Directions: Write a summary of "Throwing Fire" in your own words. 6-Line Exemplar
Say: "We put Who, What, and Why together. Read our 3rd grade summary with me."
Complete 3rd Grade Level Written Summary (Student Model):
In the story "Throwing Fire," a small boy named Nou wants to join the fire-throwing contest. The other warriors laugh at him and call him "little runt" because he is small. Strong winds blow during the contest, and the big warriors' heavy sticks fall straight into the sea. Nou uses his brain instead of big muscles. He carves a light, hollow stick that catches the wind and flies the farthest. The king sees Nou's smart trick and honors him. In the end, the warriors stop laughing and call Nou "The Clever One."
7.4 Do Now: Discussion Notes & Summary • Teacher Script Instructional Focus: Scaffolded Writing & Turn-and-Talk
Class Work (15 Min) Page 3 of 4
7.4 CW: Paragraph Practice Teacher Script
Prompt Delivery • Choral & Cold Calls • 3rd Grade Reading Level Paragraphs
Prompt 1: What lesson does the author convey through "Throwing Fire"? Author's Lesson
Say: "Finger on Prompt 1: What lesson does the author convey? A lesson is what the story teaches us about life."
Choral Call Cue: "Class, which is more powerful in this story: big muscles or a clever mind? Ready... (Hand drop)"
Whole Class: "A clever mind!"
Cold Call Cue: "What did the king say in paragraph 20? (Wait 4s) ... [Student Name]."
Student Target: "Cleverness is just as important as strength."
Complete 3rd Grade Level Paragraph for Student Handout:
The lesson the author teaches is that being smart is just as important as being strong. In the story, the other warriors have big muscles, but their heavy sticks fall straight into the sea. Nou is small, but he uses his brain to carve a light, hollow stick. His stick rides the wind and wins the contest. This teaches us that clever thinking can help you succeed even if you are not big or strong.
Prompt 2: By the end of the competition, how is the character Nou characterized? Character Change
Say: "Finger on Prompt 2: How is Nou characterized by the end? That means: What kind of person do they see him as now?"
Cold Call Cue: "At the start, what did they call Nou? (Wait 4s) ... [Student Name]."
Student Target: "Little runt" / "Ukiki."
Choral Call Cue: "Class, look at paragraph 22. What is his new name? Ready... (Hand drop)"
Whole Class: "Keakamai! The Clever One!"
Complete 3rd Grade Level Paragraph for Student Handout:
By the end of the competition, Nou is characterized as a wise, respected winner. At the start of the story, the other warriors make fun of him, call him "little runt," and think he is too weak to be a warrior. But after Nou's hollow stick flies the farthest, the king honors him for his clever mind. The warriors stop laughing at him and give him a new name, "Keakamai," which means The Clever One. This shows that everyone now respects him.
7.4 CW: Paragraph Practice • Teacher Script Instructional Focus: Text Evidence Paragraph Construction
Teacher Master Key Page 4 of 4
Master Student Handout Key (3rd Grade Level)
Complete, word-for-word student exemplar answers for all lines on the student handout.
Part 1: Do Now Reading Multiple Choice Key
Question 1 (King recognizes abilities): Choice 2: “He notices its curious hollowness, and he smiles.”
3rd Grade Why: The king smiles because he sees Nou's smart trick before reading his name.
Question 2 (Evidence last firebrand is Nou's): Choice 1: “…firebrand soars overhead, lifted by the wind.”
3rd Grade Why: Nou was the only one who carved a light stick that could float on the wind.
Question 3 (Best summary): Choice 3: Nou creates a firebrand that will work with the wind, and his intelligence and cleverness win him honor.
3rd Grade Why: Tells the whole story: the character, his smart idea, and how he won.
Part 2: Discussion Notes Handout Fill-In Key
#1 & 2 (What makes Nou's firebrand different):
Nou’s firebrand is different because it is made from light papala wood and is hollow inside. The other warriors made heavy sticks that fell fast. Nou made his stick light so the wind could carry it far over the sea.
Who: Nou, a small boy called "Ukiki" (little runt).
What: Carved a light, hollow stick that floats on wind.
Why: To throw far and show he is clever, not weak.
Directions (Write summary in your own words):
In the story "Throwing Fire," a small boy named Nou wants to join the fire-throwing contest. The other warriors laugh at him and call him "little runt" because he is small. Strong winds blow during the contest, and the big warriors' heavy sticks fall straight into the sea. Nou uses his brain instead of big muscles. He carves a light, hollow stick that catches the wind and flies the farthest. The king sees Nou's smart trick and honors him. In the end, the warriors stop laughing and call Nou "The Clever One."
Part 3: 7.4 CW Paragraph Practice Handout Fill-In Key
Prompt 1 (What lesson does the author convey?):
The lesson the author teaches is that being smart is just as important as being strong. In the story, the other warriors have big muscles, but their heavy sticks fall straight into the sea. Nou is small, but he uses his brain to carve a light, hollow stick. His stick rides the wind and wins the contest. This teaches us that clever thinking can help you succeed even if you are not big or strong.
Prompt 2 (How is Nou characterized by the end?):
By the end of the competition, Nou is characterized as a wise, respected winner. At the start of the story, the other warriors make fun of him, call him "little runt," and think he is too weak to be a warrior. But after Nou's hollow stick flies the farthest, the king honors him for his clever mind. The warriors stop laughing at him and give him a new name, "Keakamai," which means The Clever One. This shows that everyone now respects him.
7.4 Do Now & CW • Master Exemplar Key SpEd Benchmark: Complete 3rd Grade Reading Level Sentences
