The Manners Experiment Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will analyze one girl’s experiment and discuss the importance of kindness.

 

Social and Life Skills Focus:

social awareness

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, persuasive writing, sequencing

 

Page 4 Skill:

kindness

 

Vocabulary:

experiment, record, results, predict, test, conclude

 

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

 

Guided Reading Level: 

J

 

Lexile Level: 

470L

Download TEKS Standards
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Provide students with some background on kindness.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Choose to be Kind.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What are some ways you can show kindness?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask students to describe a time they did an experiment.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how Catalina answered her question.” 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. 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are experiment, record, results, predict, test, and conclude.

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 will recognize kind behaviors and manners with this fun search-and-find “We Are Star Citizens” 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 printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words experiment, record, results, predict, test, and conclude.

Editor’s Pick: Persuasive Writing (15 min.)

  • Students will explain the importance of kindness and encourage others with the Make a Manners Poster skill sheet.

ELA Focus: Sequencing (15 min.)

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on kindness:

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 570L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 430L