Beavers on the Go! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify how beavers solve problems when building their homes.

 

Science Focus:

animal builders

 

ELA Skills:

key details, writing, vocabulary, problem/solution, text evidence

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a diagram

 

Vocabulary:

predators, dam, lodge

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1, RI.2.3, RI.2.4, RI.2.8, RI.2.10, L.2.1, SL.2.3

 

Guided Reading Level: 

K

 

Lexile Level:

550L

Download TEKS Standards
Download California State Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on animal builders.

 

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Animals Can Build It!.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • Why does a beaver lodge have to be big? (The whole beaver family needs to fit in it.)
  • Where do bees get the wax to make their home? (from their bodies)
  • What other animal uses material from its own body to build something? (spider)

 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are predators, dam, and lodge.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Read the text and ask students what problems they think a beaver might have.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how beavers solve each problem.” 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. 

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.

 

Exit Ticket: Show What You Learned (5 min.)

  • Use our new Show What You Learned printable as a quick exit ticket! It asks students to revisit the As You Read prompt after they are done reading. If you are teaching remotely, this page is a great way to check students’ comprehension.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words dam, lodge, and predator.

Editor’s Pick: Problem and Solution (15 min.)

  • The Beaver Know-How! skill sheet is a great way for students to synthesize the information in the article, using problem/solution organization. The skill sheet provides three problems. Students use the issue to write and draw the solutions.

ELA Focus: Text Evidence (15 min.)

  • Norbert Know-It-All is back at it—this loveable “expert” is all mixed up again! His letter to students tells them all the “facts” about beavers. But after reading the magazine, kids will know better— and they’ll want to prove it!
  • They can write Norbert with the real facts at [email protected]. Norbert will write back!

 Here's one past issue you can use to extend your lesson on amazing animals that use teamwork:

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 630L
  • Lower Lexile level: 440L