Tank the Fire Dog Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will analyze how a fire dog helps the firefighters it lives with.

 

Social Studies Focus:

community helpers

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, main idea and details

 

Page 4 Skill:

nonfiction text features

 

Vocabulary:

Dalmatian, curious, stressful

 

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 narrative writing; W.2.8 write to answer questions; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

K

 

Lexile Level:

480L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on firefighters.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Firefighters Suit Up." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What kinds of firefighter gear did you see in the video?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are Dalmatian, curious, and stressful.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. How do kids think the firefighter feels about Tank?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how Tank helps the firefighters.” 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. 

Assessment: Reading Quiz

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

  • The “Dress the Firefighter” game is great for vocabulary building and learning about firefighter gear.

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 Dalmatian, curious, and stressful.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • With the Tank’s Point of View skill sheet, children translate text evidence into narrative writing by telling how Tank was feeling at important points in the story.

ELA Focus: Main Idea and Details (15 min.)

  • The Main Idea and Details skill sheet, which gives children the main idea and asks them to write three details, has just the right amount of scaffolding.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on firefighting animals:

  • “Here Come the Fire Horses!,” October 2018. This issue teaches students about firefighting long ago— including the jobs of horses and fire dogs!
  • "Goats Stop Fires!,” October 2021. In this issue, children learn about how goats help prevent wildfires.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 540L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 440L