Substitute Lesson Plan: "The Railway Children" by E. Nesbit (Chapter I)

Objective

Students will read and discuss the opening chapter of The Railway Children, identifying the main characters, their personalities, and the mysterious event that changes the family's happy life. Students will practice making predictions based on story clues.

Materials

• Copies of "The Railway Children," Chapter I (provided text)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and marker
• Paper and pencil for each student (for exit ticket)

Warm-up (~5 min)

• Write on the board: "Have you ever had something exciting suddenly turn into something worrying?"
• Ask students to turn to a partner and share a one-sentence answer (this can be silly or serious).
• Call on 2-3 volunteers to share with the whole class.
• Explain: "Today we're going to read the beginning of a story where a happy family's life suddenly changes. Let's find out what happens!"

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Introduce the characters (5 min): Write these names on the board: Roberta, Peter, Phyllis, Mother, Father. Tell students these are the main family members in the story. Mention that Roberta is the eldest, Peter wants to be an engineer, and Phyllis is the youngest.

1. Read aloud together (15 min): Read Chapter I aloud as a class (or have volunteers take turns reading paragraphs). Stop periodically to check understanding:
2. After the description of the family's home and life: Ask, "What kind of life do these children have? Is it a happy one? How do you know?"
3. After Peter's engine breaks: Ask, "Why is Peter so upset? What does Father promise to do?"
4. After the two gentlemen arrive: Ask, "What do you notice changes in the story's mood here?"
5. After Mother comes back looking pale and won't say anything: Ask, "What do you think happened? Why won't Mother tell the children?"

1. Discuss the mystery (5 min): As a whole class, discuss:
2. What clues did the author give us that something is wrong? (Father's voice sounding different, Mother's white face, Ruth's warning, Mother crying at night)
3. Why do you think the author doesn't tell us right away what happened?
4. How are Peter and Roberta reacting differently to the mystery?

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

Have students write short answers to these questions on paper:

1. Name the three children in the story and one fact about each.
2. What good news came for Peter's broken engine before the two gentlemen arrived?
3. What do YOU think happened to Father? Write one prediction, using a clue from the story to support your guess.

Collect exit tickets before students leave, or have a few volunteers share their predictions aloud.

If Time Remains

Ask students to imagine they are Peter, Roberta, or Phyllis lying in bed that night, wondering what happened. Have them write 2-3 sentences (in the character's voice) describing their worries and questions. Volunteers can share their sentences aloud.