Time to Climb! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will analyze how playgrounds have changed over time.

 

Social Studies Focus:

long ago and today

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, opinion writing, text features

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a map

 

Vocabulary:

rural, urban, lots, suburban

 

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

 

Guided Reading Level: 

J

 

Lexile Level:

520L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on how things change over time.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video 'What Changes Over Time?” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is something that is different today than it was long ago?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Ask students about their favorite features of playgrounds.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how playgrounds have changed over time.” 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 rural, urban, lots, and suburban.

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 by themselves or in teams. For each question they answer correctly, they win a point.

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 rural, urban, lots, and suburban.

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

  • With the My Dream Playground! skill sheet, students get to describe and design their perfect place to play.

ELA Focus: Text Feature Hunt (15 min.)

  • Students will revisit the issue and examine its features with the Text-Feature Hunt skill sheet.

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on long ago and today:

  • “School Long Ago,” September 2019. Compare and contrast school 100 years ago with school today in this issue.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 600L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 440L