Follow That Bottle! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will describe the recycling process of a plastic water bottle.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Earth Day/recycling

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, sequencing

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

recyclables, sorted, magnet, factories

 

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.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.3 sequencing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level: 

500L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on Earth Day.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Follow That Bottle.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following:

  • Which machine at the recycling center was most interesting to you? Describe what it does.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask your students to guess where the bottle may go next.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on the cover: “Think about the different places your bottle goes.” 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 recyclables, sorted, magnet, and factories.

Assessment: (15 min.)

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

  • “Throw Out That Trash!” gives children practice in capitalization. Every time children answer correctly, a piece of trash goes into the bin!

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 recyclables, sorted, magnet, and factories.

Editor’s Pick: Sequencing (15 min.)

  • Students will review what they have learned and sequence the recycling process with the From Old to New skill sheet.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • The Recycling Crossword skill sheet is a fun way to practice vocabulary from the issue! Children use words from the word bank to solve the clues.

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

  • “Recycle That Gum!” April 2019. In this issue, readers meet a scientist who invented a way to recycle chewing gum!
  • “Jellyfish or Plastic Bag?” April 2021. Students will consider different ways to get rid of trash and consider how they can help our planet.

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: 450L