3.4.3 A Gem of a Tale! SUMMARY A Gem of a Tale! describes the 12 gemstones that serve as traditional birthstones. This nonfiction reader includes pictures of each gem, descriptions of its qualities, and details about where the gem is found in the world. LESSON VOCABULARY birthstone flaws quartz brilliant minerals rockhounds crystal mined transparent INTRODUCE THE BOOK INTRODUCE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR Discuss with students the title and the author of A Gem of a Tale! Ask students if they recognize the stone in the cover photograph. (diamond) Point out the content triangle, and talk about why a book featuring diamonds would relate to science. BUILD BACKGROUND Put the word gem at the center of a content web. Invite students to suggest all the words that come to mind when they think of the word gem. Suggest that they think not only about the finished product, but where gems come from. Then tell students that the selection they are about to read will describe some well-known gems. PREVIEW/USE TEXT FEATURES Have students look through the pictures, charts, and map in the book. Ask what students expect to learn from the book about gems. (information about the twelve birthstones that belong to each month, where the birthstones are found, how they are formed) Invite ELL students to talk about gems that are found in their home countries or are important to their families’ cultures. Have volunteers describe the gems and why they are considered special or valuable to their families and friends. 80 GENERALIZE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE READ THE BOOK SET PURPOSE Use the Prior Knowledge activity to guide students to set a purpose for reading. Remind students to think about what they would like to know about gems and birthstones. Then have them choose what they would most like to learn, and invite them to read to find out more about this topic. STRATEGY SUPPORT: PRIOR KNOWLEDGE To help students activate prior knowledge, have each student create a KWLS chart with the headings, What