Dragon in the Moonlight Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify the moon’s phases as they study Lunar New Year.

 

Science Focus:

the moon, the lunar cycle

 

ELA Skills:

key details, writing, vocabulary, read a calendar

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

lunar, full moon, new moon, crescent moon, phases, cycle

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.7, RI.2.10, SL.2.3

 

Guided Reading Level:

N

 

Lexile Level: 

500L

Download TEKS Standards
Download California State Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on Lunar New Year.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Happy Lunar New Year." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • Where do people celebrate Lunar New Year? (all over the world)
  • How long does the holiday last? (15 days)
  • What Lunar New Year tradition would you most like to try? (Answers will vary.)

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are lunar, full moon, new moon, crescent moon, phases, and cycle.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Point out the big, bright moon and ask, “Does the moon always look like a full circle? Or is it sometimes different?” Explain that the moon has phases—that’s what makes it look different at different times.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompton page 2: “Think about what makes the moon have different phases.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Assessment: Reading Checkpoint (15 min.)

Pass out the Reading Checkpoint to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • Use the online game show to gauge comprehension and reinforce the issue’s content. Students can play by themselves or in teams. For each question they answer correctly, they win a point.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important science and ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words lunar, phases, new moon, crescent moon, full moon, and cycle.

Editor’s Pick: Lunar New Year Calendar (15 min.)

  • This year is the Year of the Ox—but how about last year? Or the year students were born? With this skill sheet, children read a lunar calendar that shows the animal for each year. Because the calendar is cyclical, children can also make predictions about the animals for years to come!

Science Focus: Observe the Moon (15 min.)

  • The Moon Watch sheet is perfect for students to do with their families. Each night for a week, children look at the moon and draw what they see. At the end of the week, they can identify the phases!

Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on New Year celebrations:

  • Happy New Year, January 2018. This issue explores New Year’s traditions from around the globe.
  • Happy Lunar New Year!, January 2020. In this issue, one boy tells about each thing his family does to celebrate the holiday.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher Lexile level: 530L
  • Lower Lexile level: 460L