Journey Into a Cave Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will imagine themselves as explorers and identify the characteristics of a cave.

 

Science Focus:

landforms

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, opinion writing, map skills

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a map

 

Vocabulary:

stalagmites, stalactites

 

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; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level:

L

 

Lexile level: 

470L

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Provide students with some background on landforms.

 

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

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

  • Imagine you are a cave explorer. What is one thing you might see in a cave?

 

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. What do your students already know about caves?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about whether you would like to explore a cave.” 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 stalagmites and stalactites.

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 stalagmites and stalactites.

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

  • The Are You In or Out? skill sheet has students examine what they think about exploring caves and state reasons for their opinions.

ELA Focus: Map Skills (15 min.)

  • Students can analyze a map by using a compass rose and key to describe the relationship between different places with the Reading a Map skill sheet.

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

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 550L
  • Lower Lexile level: 420L