Separated at Birth! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will learn how veterinarians helped a sick red panda cub.

 

Science Focus:

animal rescue

 

Social Studies Focus:

jobs

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, read a diagram

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a diagram

 

Vocabulary:

veterinarian, peered, pounced

 

CCSS:

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

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level:

500L

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Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on red pandas.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Red Pandamonium.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one thing you learned about red pandas?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are veterinarian, peered, and pounced..

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Which panda do kids think needed help?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about all the ways people helped the sick red panda cub.” 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.

  • 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 ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words veterinarian, peered, and pounced.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

ELA Focus: Diagrams (15 min.)

  • The Read a Diagram skill sheet helps children learn facts about a red panda’s body.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on animal rescues:

  • “How to Rescue Baby Eagles,” February 2020. This issue recounts how people rescued eaglets that fell from their nest.
  • “Little Owl’s Big Trip,” November/December 2021. This issue tells the story of an owl that rode into New York City on Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree, and how it was helped to get back to the wild.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 580L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 460L