Surf for the Earth Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will meet a man who recycles trash to make new surfboards.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Earth Day, conservation

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, opinion writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

disposable, recycle, resin, fins

 

CCSS:

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

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level: 

500L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on trash and how to make less of it.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "What Happens to Our Trash?" After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • What is one way to make less trash?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are disposable, recycle, resin, and fins..

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. How do children think recycled surfboards help keep Earth clean?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how Ryan’s surfboards help the planet.” 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 Quiz 

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

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

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the terms disposable, recycle, resin, and fins.

Editor’s Pick: Design and Write (15 min.)

  • The Repurpose It! skill sheet invites children to choose an item, design a creation from it, and write about it.

ELA Focus: Make It and Write It (15 min.)

  • The For the Birds skill sheets show children how to make a milk carton bird feeder. Then they are invited to write about the project.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson for Earth Day:

  • “Recycle That Gum!” April 2019. This issue introduces children to a scientist who makes new things out of used chewing gum!
  • “Sun Power!” April 2021. This issue acquaints children with solar power and how it works.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 570L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 440L