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Children will examine a Native American tradition and sequence the steps of making a totem pole.
traditions
key details, vocabulary, sequencing, nonfiction text features
read a diagram
totem pole, tradition, Tsimshian, community
SL.2.3, RI.2.1, RI.2.3, RI.2.4, RI.2.5, RI.2.10
L
480L
Provide students with some background on Tain, his people, and the tradition of making totem poles.
Build background knowledge (10 min.)
Watch our video "Welcome to Tain's World." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:
Preview vocabulary (3 min.)
Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are totem pole, tradition, Tsimshian, and community.
Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)
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.
Assessment: Reading Quiz
Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.
You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.
ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)
Editor’s Pick: Sequencing (15 min.)
ELA Focus: Nonfiction Text Features (15 min.)
You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here: