Hey There, Baby Bear! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will compare how three animals behave in the spring.

 

Science Focus:

animal adaptations

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, predictions

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

hibernating, goslings, down, molt, kits, chatter

 

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

 

Lexile Level:

520L

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Provide students with some background on animal adaptations.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Spring Babies.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • Can you remember some of the baby animals you saw? What were they doing?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Can students recall what animals they read about in November?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how the animals are alike and how they are different.” 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 words are hibernate, goslings, down, molt, kits, and chatter.

Assessment: Reading Quiz

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

  • The “What’s Hatching?” game lets students practice finding the correct end punctuation as cute baby animals hatch from their eggs.

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 hibernate, goslings, down, molt, kits, and chatter.

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

  • Norbert is at it again! Students can read his latest mistakes in the A Letter From Norbert Know-It-All skill sheet then respond with information learned from the article. Send class letters to norbert@ scholastic.com. Norbert will respond!

ELA Focus: Predictions (15 min.)

  • Students will use the Predictions skill sheet to record their ideas before reading the article, and then revisit the skill sheet to demonstrate what they have learned.

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on animal adaptations:

  • “Flamingo Teamwork,” March 2018. Students will identify how flamingos use teamwork to take care of one another.

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: 450L