Making Crayons Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will sequence the steps of making crayons in a crayon factory.

 

Social Studies Focus:

production of goods

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, peruasive writing, poetry

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a double bar graph

 

Vocabulary:

pigment, molds, label

 

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.2.1 write opinion pieces; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level:

L

 

Lexile level: 

490L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on how crayons are made.

 

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

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

  • What is your favorite part of this video?

 

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask your students where they think crayons are made.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on the cover: “Think about how crayons change as they are made.” 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. 

Review Vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured terms are pigment, molds, and label.

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 pigment, molds, and label.

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

  • The Missing Color skill sheet guides students as they imagine, describe, and argue for a new crayon color.

ELA Focus: Poetry Writing (15 min.)

  • The Crayon Acrostic skill sheet lets students express how they feel about crayons through poetry.

Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on Women's History Month:

  • “Toothbrush Time!,” February 2022. Visit the Oral-B factory and learn about how toothbrushes are made!!
  • “The Scoop on Ice Cream,” May/June 2020. This issue explores the steps of making ice cream in an ice cream factory.

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: 430L