Isn't He WONDER-ful? Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will explore the life and legacy of Stevie Wonder.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Black History Month

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, metaphors

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a timeline

 

Vocabulary:

lyrics, experiment, humanitarian

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI. 2.10 read informational texts; W.2.1 writing; L.2.4 use context as a clue to the meaning of a phrase; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Lexile Level: 

540L

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Provide students with some background on Black History Month.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Five Things to Know About Stevie Wonder." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one new thing you learned about Stevie Wonder?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Have any students listened to Stevie Wonder’s music?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why Stevie Wonder’s music is important to people.” 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. 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are lyrics, experiment, and humanitarian.

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

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

  • Students identify new vocabulary words by matching musical instruments in the “Musical Instrument Concentration” game.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the words lyrics, experiment, and humanitarian.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

ELA Focus: Metaphors (15 min.)

  • Students will use the What Does It Mean? skill sheet to analyze sentences and use context clues to identify the meaning of a metaphor.

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

  • “The Fastest Man in the World,” February 2023. Students will follow Marshall “Major” Taylor’s difficult journey from a young cyclist to the “fastest man in the world” in this issue.
  • “Misty’s Dream,” February 2021. This issue explores Misty Copeland’s journey from aspiring young dancer to inspiring ballet star.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 620L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 490L