Hoop Dance! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will discuss a family’s tradition of Native American hoop dancing.

 

Social Studies Focus:

traditions/ Native American history

 

ELA Skills:

key details, reading comprehension, vocabulary, informative writing, nonfiction text features

 

Page 4 Skill:

compare two diagrams

 

Vocabulary:

tradition, regalia, formations, competitions

 

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.2.2 expository writing; W.2.8 gather information to answer questions; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level:

530L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on Therese and the Native American people, Pueblo of Pojoaque.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Celebrating Our Traditions.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • What are the different ways the children are carrying on the traditions of their ancestors?
  • What traditions are a part of your family or community?

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are tradition, regalia, formations, and competitions.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask students what they notice about Therese’s clothing and the way she is using the hoops.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on the cover: “Think about why hoop dancing is important to the kids.” 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 social studies and ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words tradition, regalia, competitions, and formations.

Editor’s Pick: My Family Tradition (15 min.)

  • The My Family Tradition skill sheet allows students to explore their own family’s culture. After talking to a grown-up in their family, students follow the prompts to describe one of their own family’s traditions!

ELA Focus: Nonfiction Text Features (15 min.)

  • With the Text-Feature Hunt skill sheet, students identify various parts of a nonfiction text.

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on Native American traditions:

  • Our Totem Pole, November/December 2021. This issue highlights Tain, another Native American child, who shares his family’s 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: 640L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 480L