Save Your Skull! Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will track the history of bike helmets.

 

Social Studies Focus:

history

 

Health and Safety Focus:

summer safety

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, diagrams

 

Page 4 Skill:

logic puzzles

 

Vocabulary:

protect, skull

 

CCSS:

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

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level:

550L

Download TEKS Standards
Download California State Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on helmets.

 

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video ““Protect Your Head.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • Why are helmets important? (Possible answer: They can keep your head safe if you fall.)

 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are protect and skull.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Point out that long ago, people did not have many of the things we have today, like computers, video games—and bike helmets! Ask, “Why do you think bike helmets were invented? Why are they important?”
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how bike helmets have changed over time.” 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.

The Summer Search and Find game is a great way to build vocabulary while celebrating summer fun and safety! Children search a busy scene to find bikes, scooters, helmets, sunscreen, a lifeguard and more.

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

 

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words protect and skull.

Editor’s Pick: Read a Diagram (15 min.)

  • The Helmet Diagram skill sheet is great for skill building—it gives children practice in getting information from visuals, as well as in answering multiplechoice questions. It also teaches kids why each part of the helmet is important.

Social Studies Focus: Read a Timeline (15 min.)

  • The Helmet History Timeline skill sheet is a cut-and-paste activity that allows children not only to read a timeline, but to take part in creating one. When children have finished their timelines, they can make a full-color visual by coloring in the helmets!

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on summer safety:

  • The History of Sunscreen, May/June 2019. This issue takes children through the history of sun safety, from ancient Egypt to today!
  • BOUNCE!, May/ June 2020. This issue introduces kids to the fun of trampoline parks —and how to stay safe if they visit one.

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 610L
  • Lower Lexile level: 470L