Beware of This Fish! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will recognize how lionfish are hurting native animals in their habitats.

 

Science Focus:

ocean habitat

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, text evidence, writing, high-frequency words

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

habitats, native, invasive species, invading, venom

 

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:

M

 

Lexile level:

550L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on ocean animals.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “What Is an Invasive Species?” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one reason invasive species are a problem?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Can students predict why lionfish are a problem?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2:  “Think about why invasive species like lionfish are a problem.” 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 habitats, native, invasive species, invading, and venom.

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 ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words habitats, native, invasive species, invading, and venom.

Editor’s Pick: Text Evidence/Writing (15 min.)

  • Students will love reading A Letter From Norbert Know-It-All and identifying all his inaccurate statements. Using text evidence, students will compose their own letter to correct Norbert’s errors. Send responses to norbert@scholastic .com. Norbert will write back!

High-Frequency Words (15 min.)

  • The Color by Word skill sheet provides a way to practice reading high-frequency words while revealing a fun and fishy image!

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

  • Would You Like to Be a Dolphin?,” May/June 2018. Students explore dolphin behavior by imagining a day in the life of this amazing ocean animal!
  • “World’s Nicest Shark?,” May/June 2021. This issue follows scientists as they investigate the unusual behavior of a special kind of shark.

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 640L
  • Lower Lexile level: 480L