Ice Cream on the Go! Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Students will analyze how ice cream trucks have changed over time.

 

Social Studies Focus:

long ago and today

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

logic puzzles

 

Vocabulary:

convenient, refreshing

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify main topic; RI.2.3 describe connection historical events; RF.2.4 determine meaning of words; W.2.8 gather information; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations

 

Lexile Measure: 

600L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on summer treats and activities.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Inside an Ice Cream Factory.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one thing you learned about how ice cream is made?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. How does the ice cream truck look like trucks in the students’ communities? How does it look different?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about Harry Burtʼs four great ideas.” 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 convenient and refreshing.

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz (20 min.)

This bilingual rhyming text will have readersʼ mouths watering for paletas--Mexican frozen treats on a stick! Enjoy the adventure through a community in search of this refreshing and delicious treat.

  • Students follow the clues to eliminate incorrect ice pops and find the one that fits each riddle with the “Guess My Ice Pop” 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 skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the words convenient and refreshing.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

ELA Focus: Writing (15 min.)

  • Students can use the Ice Cream Truck Changes skill sheet to organize the information they learned about how ice cream trucks have changed over time. After recalling information from the article, turn to page 2 to let students think about how ice cream trucks may continue to change with the Ice Cream of the Future skill sheet.

Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on summer treats and activities:

  • “The Scoop on Ice Cream,” May/June 2020. Students will sequence the steps of making ice cream in an ice cream factory.
  • “Welcome to the Fair!,” May/June 2024. Use this issue to explore and discuss how state fairs celebrate their communities.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 680L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 480L