Do Pigs Use Sunscreen? Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify ways that animals and people stay safe.

 

Science Focus:

animal behavior

 

Health and Safety Focus:

summer safety

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, persuasive writing, main idea and details

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a diagram

 

Vocabulary:

protect, slather, skulls, bobbing

 

CCSS:

RI.1.2, RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.10, SL.2.3, L.2.1

 

Guided Reading Level: 

N

 

Lexile Level: 

530L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on summer safety.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "High Five for Summer Safety." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is one way you will stay safe this summer?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are protect, slather, skulls, and bobbing.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. What do children think is protecting the pig’s skin?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2:“Think about which animals have bodies that keep them safe and which ones get help from nature.” 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 “Summer Find It” game has kids answer safety questions by finding the correct safety 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 terms slather, skull, and bobbing.

Editor’s Pick: Persuasive Writing (15 min.)

  • The Make a Summer Safety Poster skill sheet lets children sharpen their persuasive writing skills by writing summer safety slogans and tips.

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

  • The Main Idea and Details skill sheet has kids fill in a graphic organizer by stating the main idea and writing three details that support it.

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

  • “Save Your Skull!” May/June 2021. This issue provides a history of bike helmets and explains how the helmets of today protect our heads.
  • “Bounce!” May/June 2020. This issue gives kids tips on how to stay safe at trampoline parks.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 610L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 460L