Dance for the Gold! Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will meet Olympic hopeful Sunny Choi and examine what it takes to get to the Olympics.

 

Social Studies Focus:

the Olympic Games, character traits

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, video comprehension

 

Social and Life Skills:

relationship skills

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

training, breaking

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; 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 the Olympics.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Let the Olympic Games Begin!” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • Who will be the next Olympic hero? Could it be YOU?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Have any students heard of breaking? What do they know about it?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about what Sunny does to be a great athlete.” 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 training and breaking.

 

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 important ELA and science skills. Here's how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words training and breaking.
  •  

Editor’s Pick: Relationship Skills (15 min.)

  • The Make a Medal skill sheet allows students to discuss their achievements with peers and celebrate their classmates.

 

ELA Focus: Video Comprehension (15 min.)

  • Students will analyze a video about the Olympics and record the information they learned with the Watch a Video skill sheet.

Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on the Olympics:

  • "The Girl With Olympic Dreams,” May/June 2020. Students will read about a goal-oriented child athlete and evaluate what it takes to get to the Olympics.

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