Substitute Lesson Plan: "Heidi" (Chapter I)

Grade Level: 3rd Grade | Subject: ELA | Duration: ~45 minutes

Objective

Students will read (or listen to) the opening of Heidi, Chapter I: "Heidi's First Mountain Climb," and be able to identify the main characters, describe the setting, and retell the key events introduced in this excerpt.

Materials

• Copies of the "Heidi" text excerpt (Chapter I) — one per student, or one copy for the teacher to read aloud
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Paper and pencil for each student (for the exit ticket)

Warm-up (~5 min)

1. Write the word "Heidi" on the board.
2. Ask students: "Have you ever gone on a hike up a hill or mountain? How did you feel — tired, hot, excited?"
3. Take 2–3 quick verbal answers. Tell students: "Today we are going to meet a little girl named Heidi who is climbing a mountain in Switzerland."

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Read Aloud (10–12 min): Read Chapter I aloud to the class (or have strong readers take turns reading paragraphs). Stop periodically to check understanding:
2. After the introduction of Heidi and Dete: Ask "Who are the two people climbing the mountain? How is Heidi dressed, and why do you think that's unusual for a hot June day?"
3. After Barbel joins them: Ask "Where is Dete taking Heidi, and why?"
4. After the description of Alm-Uncle: Ask "What do the villagers think about Alm-Uncle? Why are they afraid of him?"
5. After Tobias and Adelaide's story: Ask "What happened to Heidi's parents?"

1. Class Discussion (8–10 min): On the board, create a simple three-column chart with student input:
2. Characters: Heidi, Dete, Barbel, Peter, Alm-Uncle, Tobias, Adelaide
3. Setting: The village of Mayenfeld, the hamlet of Doerfli, the Alm mountain, Switzerland
4. Problem/Situation: Heidi is being taken by her aunt Dete to live with her grandfather (Alm-Uncle), whom everyone in the village fears and avoids.

1. Partner Talk (5 min): In pairs, students discuss: "Why do you think Dete is bringing Heidi to live with her grandfather? Do you think this is a good idea, based on what the villagers say about him?" Have 2–3 pairs share out.

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

Have students answer the following on paper individually:

1. Who is Heidi traveling with at the start of the story?
2. Where is Heidi being taken, and why?
3. In one or two sentences, describe Alm-Uncle based on what the villagers say about him.
4. What happened to Heidi's parents, Tobias and Adelaide?

Collect exit tickets at the end of class.

If Time Remains

Have students draw a simple picture of the scene where Heidi and Dete are climbing the mountain path, including Peter and the goats in the background. Underneath, have them write one sentence describing the setting (the mountain, the weather, and how Heidi is dressed).