The Tough Seeds Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will compare how three seeds have adapted for dispersal.

 

Science Focus:

plant adaptations

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, text evidence, opinion writing, compare/ contrast

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a life cycle

 

Vocabulary:

tough, fiction, protects, root, bur, explodes, seedpod

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 use text features; RI.2.9 compare and contrast; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.1 write opinion pieces; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

M

 

Lexile Level: 

500L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on seeds.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Seeds on the Go!" After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following:

  • Describe two ways that seeds can travel.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask students if they have ever watched or participated in a race. What kind of race was it?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about all the things Major did to become a champion.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read..

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think skill sheet. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured terms are tough, fiction, protects, root, bur, explodes, and seedpod.

Assessment: (15 min.)

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 tough, fiction, protects, root, bur, and seedpod.

Editor’s Pick: Opinion Writing (15 min.)

  • The Tougher Than the Rest skill sheet lets students decide which seed is the toughest of them all! Writing prompts guide students to support their opinion with reasoning.

ELA Focus: Compare/Contrast (15 min.)

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

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 560L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 390L