Illustration of teachers welcoming students to first grade
Art By Elio
Mini Graphic,

Emma Interrupts

Enjoy a mini graphic novel about self-regulation.

By Katie Mach
From the September 2024 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will discuss why it is important to not interrupt and brainstorm strategies for not interrupting. 

Lexiles: 390L
Featured Skill: Main Idea,
Topic: SEL,
Common Core Standards
  • RF.1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text RL.1.4 Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses RL.1.10. Read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1 SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with peers and adults
TEKS Standards
  • Health
    (3) Mental health and wellness—social and emotional health. The student identifies and applies strategies to develop socio-emotional health, self-regulation, and healthy relationships. The student is expected to: (B) discuss and explain how emotions can interrupt thinking and the self-management process; (C) describe and practice calming and self-management strategies; (E) describe ways to build and maintain friendships; (F) identify ways to respectfully communicate verbally and nonverbally; (G) identify feelings and emotions expressed by others.

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Emma Interrupts

By Katie Mach

video (1)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (2)
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
video (1)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (2) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)

About the Story

English Language Arts Focus

Genres of literature

Social and Life Skills Focus

Self-regulation

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Implementation

  • Morning meeting
  • Whole group

Pairings and Text Connections

  • From the Storyworks archive: “Mini Graphic: It Is Not Summer Yet” (May/June 2024)
  • Suggested books: The Interrupting Chicken series by David Ezra Stein, My Mouth Is a Volcano by Julia Cook

Before-Reading Resources

  • Video: What Is a Comic? (5 minutes) Explore how comics use pictures, thoughts, and dialogue to tell a story.

Suggested Reading Focus

Self-regulation/relationship skills (20 minutes)

  • Ask students to think about why it is important not to interrupt someone who is speaking. Have they ever been interrupted?

 

  • Read the comic with expression. Check children’s comprehension after each panel. Children can also turn and talk to discuss.

 

  • Read the comic again, this time as a play. Have children read aloud for the characters to practice fluency.
  • Using the Talk it Out questions, discuss the comic. Encourage children to make emotional connections by asking them why it can be hard not to interrupt, and how it feels when you get interrupted. Finally, brainstorm things you can do instead of interrupting.

 

 

After-Reading Skills Practice

  • Skills: Self-regulation; main idea

Text-to-Speech