The Grand Canyon: Nonfiction and Fiction Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will compare the true story of how the Grand Canyon was formed with a fictional story about how it was formed.

 

Science Focus:

landforms

 

Literacy Focus:

fiction and nonfiction

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, use visuals

 

Page 4 Skill:

nonfiction text

 

Vocabulary:

layers, canyon, tall tale, lumberjack

 

CCSS:

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

 

Guided Reading Level:

M

 

Lexile level:

530L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on clouds.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

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

  • Have you seen any landforms up close?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are layers, canyon, tall tale, and lumberjack..

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Do children think a giant could have carved the Grand Canyon?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on the cover: “Look for what is the same and different in the two stories.” 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.

  • In the “Collect the Snapshots” game, children answer capitalization questions to collect photos of famous American places.

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 layers, canyon, tall tale, and lumberjack.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • The Paul’s Journal skill sheet is a fun way for children to retell the tall tale they read in the issue.

ELA Focus: Use Visuals (15 min.)

  • With the Landform Match skill sheet, children use visuals to show what they know about different landforms.

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on landforms:

  • “America the Beautiful,” May/June 2018. This issue takes children on a journey across the country to see its amazing landforms.

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 600L
  • Lower Lexile level: 470L