Play On, Veterans! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will recognize the history of musicians in our military and identify their importance.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Veterans Dy

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, nonfiction text features

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

boot camp, trombone, audition, patriotic

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.5 text features; RI.2.10 read informational texts; RF.2.3 recognize gradeappropriate words

 

Lexile Level:

580L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on Veterans Day.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Thank You, Veterans!" After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is a veteran?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. What instruments do students see?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why military bands are important.” 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 boot camp, trombone, audition and patriotic.

Assessment: Reading Quiz

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

Veterans: Heroes in our Neighborhood by Valeria Pfundstein (20 min.)

This rhyming text highlights one community and the many residents throughout who have served our country. After reading this book, launch your own “Hometown Hero” research in your school community.

  • Students can identify parts of a letter while creating their very own letter with the “Build a Thank You Letter" 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 terms boot camp, trombone, audition and patriotic.

Editor’s Pick: Nonfiction Text Features (15 min.)

  • Use the Mini Article skill sheet to extend your lesson on Veterans Day and provide students with a review of text features and reading comprehension practice!

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

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

  • “Sky-High Veterans!,” November 2022. Students will characterize the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights.
  • “Good Job, Veterans!,” November 2020. This issue examines the different jobs veterans can do.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 690L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 510L