Go for the Goal! Lesson Plan
Academic Standards
Reading Objective:
Children will examine a Native American tradition: lacrosse.
Social Studies Focus:
traditions, Native American Heritage Month
ELA Skills:
key details, vocabulary, writing, compare and contrast
Page 4 Skill:
read an interview
Vocabulary:
lacrosse, fling, tradition
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.2.3 write narratives; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions
Guided Reading Level:
M
Lexile Level:
550L
1. Preview the Issue
Provide students with some background on Native American Heritage Month.
Build background knowledge (10 min.)
Watch our video “My Story: Jheneli Huff.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:
- What is the most interesting thing you learned about Jheneli?
2. Read the issue.
Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)
- Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Have any students heard of lacrosse?
- Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why lacrosse is so important to Jheneli.” 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 lacrosse, fling, and tradition.
Assessment: Reading Quiz
Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.
3. Play the online game.
- 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.
4. Focus on ELA Skills
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 lacrosse, fling, and tradition.
Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)
- Use the What’s a Tradition skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the word tradition and examine their own family traditions.
ELA Focus: Compare and Contrast (15 min.)
- Students will compare how the game of lacrosse was played long ago with how it is played today using the Long Ago and Today skill sheet.
PAIR WITH STORYWORKS 2!
November is Native American Heritage Month. After reading “Go for the Goal!,” our article about an 8-year-old Seneca lacrosse player, check out the Seneca folktale “Turtle’s Race With Bear” from our friends at Storyworks 2!
From the Archive
Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on Native American Heritage Month:
- “Hoop Dance,” November/December 2022. This issue explores a family’s tradition of Native American hoop dancing.
- “Our Totem Pole,” November/December 2021. Students will discover the Native American tradition of making totem poles.
Differentiation Station
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: 480L