The Sweet Story of Candy Land Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will analyze the importance of Eleanor Abbott’s invention.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Women’s History Month

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, cause and effect

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

polio, distract, sketch, slogan

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.3 describe historical events; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Lexile level:

550L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on Women’s History Month..

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Inventors.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What invention did you like best? Why?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Have any students ever played Candy Land?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why Candy Land was so important for kids in the hospital.” 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 polio, distract, sketch, and slogan.

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 individually 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 terms polio, distract, sketch, and slogan.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • The Design a Board Game skill sheet lets students be the inventor! They can use the prompts to make a plan before designing and playing their very own game.

ELA Focus: Cause and Effect (15 min.)

  • Students will reflect on the effect of Eleanor Abbott’s game and identify the causes with the Cause and Effect skill sheet.

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

  • “A Math Star,” March 2019. Students will examine the accomplishments of Katherine Johnson with this issue.
  • “The Woman Who Talked to Chimps,” March 2022. This issue explores how Jane Goodall achieved her dream of studying chimps.

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 630L
  • Lower Lexile level: 460L