Little Owl’s Big Trip Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will follow the story of an owl that was rescued from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

 

Science Focus:

wilflife

 

Social Studies Focus:

holdays

 

SEL Focus:

social awareness, caring for animals

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, read diagrams, writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

rescue

 

CCSS:

SL.2.3, RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.7, RI.2.10, L.2.1

 

Guided Reading Level:

L

 

Lexile level:

480L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on holiday traditions and helping others..

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Holiday Cheer.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What do you do on your favorite holiday?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured word is rescue.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. What do kids think happened to the owl?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how different people helped the owl.” 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.

  • Use the online game show to gauge comprehension and reinforce the issue’s content. Students can play by themselves 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 word rescue..

Editor’s Pick: Read a Diagram (15 min.)

  • The Owl Diagram skill sheet helps children practice using visuals as they learn about an owl’s body parts.!

ELA Focus: Writing (15 min.)

  • The Rocky’s Point of View skill sheet provides a great writing challenge: How would children feel if they were in the owl’s place?

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on animal rescues:

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 650L
  • Lower Lexile level: 440L