A Cup of Cheer! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will analyze how the cocoa drink has changed over time.

 

Social Studies Focus:

long ago and today

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, sequencing

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

cacao, bitter, ingredients, flavor

 

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 recount sequence of events; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level:

L

 

Lexile level:

540L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on how things change over time.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “The Sweet Story of Chocolate.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one thing you learned about how chocolate is made?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Have students ever enjoyed a cup of cocoa?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how hot chocolate has changed over the years.” 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 words are cacao, bitter, ingredients, and flavor..

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

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 skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the words cacao, bitter, ingredients, and flavor.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • Students will use the My Cup of Cocoa! skill sheet to describe and illustrate their perfect cup of cocoa.

ELA Focus: Sequencing (15 min.)

  • Students will imagine they are traveling through time and identify all the ways the cocoa drink has changed through the years with the Tasty Time Traveling skill sheet.

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on how things change over time:

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: 430L