Go for the Goal! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will examine a Native American tradition: lacrosse.

 

Social Studies Focus:

traditions, Native American Heritage Month

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, compare and contrast

 

Page 4 Skill:

read an interview

 

Vocabulary:

lacrosse, fling, tradition

 

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 write narratives; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

M

 

Lexile Level:

550L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on Native American Heritage Month.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “My Story: Jheneli Huff.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is the most interesting thing you learned about Jheneli?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. Have any students heard of lacrosse?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why lacrosse is so important to Jheneli.” 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 lacrosse, fling, and tradition.

Assessment: Reading Quiz

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

  • Use the online game show to gauge comprehension and reinforce the issue’s content. Students can play individually or in teams. For each question they answer correctly, they win a point.

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 lacrosse, fling, and tradition.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • Use the What’s a Tradition skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the word tradition and examine their own family traditions.

ELA Focus: Compare and Contrast (15 min.)

  • Students will compare how the game of lacrosse was played long ago with how it is played today using the Long Ago and Today skill sheet.

November is Native American Heritage Month. After reading “Go for the Goal!,” our article about an 8-year-old Seneca lacrosse player, check out the Seneca folktale “Turtle’s Race With Bear” from our friends at Storyworks 2!

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on Native American Heritage Month:

  • “Hoop Dance,” November/December 2022. This issue explores a family’s tradition of Native American hoop dancing.
  • “Our Totem Pole,” November/December 2021. Students will discover the Native American tradition of making totem poles.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 620L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 480L