Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Learning Objective:

 

Children will identify ways to set themselves up for a successful school year.

 

Vocabulary:

experts, independent, nervous, routine

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a map

 

Social and Life Skills Focus:

self-awareness, self-management

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 text features; RI.2.10 read informational texts; RF.2.3 phonics; RF.2.4 read on-level texts; W.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Watch the video

Build background knowledge about school communities by watching “Welcome to Your Classroom.” When you’re done watching, ask the following question: How do people in a community treat each other?

Preview new vocabulary words

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce this issue’s featured words.

Set a purpose for reading

  • Have students do a picture walk through the issue, then read and discuss the cover. Ask students how they feel about starting second grade.
  • Then before turning to page 2, say, “As we read the article, we are going to get ideas from real kids about having a great day in second grade. Think about one new thing you will try this year.”

Use the Read and Think skill sheet to check comprehension as you read the issue as a class. At each stopping point on the sheet, pause to discuss the questions. Students can fill out the sheet as you go along.

Play the online game: Make School Bus Words

Practice building CVC and CVCe words. (skill: encoding)

Read a paired text: This School Year Will Be THE BEST! by Kay Winters

What are your students’ hopes and dreams for second grade? The kids in this book will help them gear up for the new year and make it their best one yet!

Read an issue from the archive: Back to School Survival Guide (Sept. 2021)

Read Back to School Survival Guide (Sept. 2021) to learn about good work habits.