Welcome to the Fair! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will explore and discuss how state fairs celebrate their communities.

 

Social Studies Focus:

American traditions

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, nonfiction text features

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a map

 

Vocabulary:

unique, ravenous, manure, sculptures

 

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.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Lexile Level:

520L

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Provide students with some background on American traditions.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "From Sea to Shining Sea." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • Have you been to any of the places in this video? What is one that you would like to visit?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue and discuss the cover. What would students like to see at a state fair?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about what you would most want to see, do, or taste at a state fair.” 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 unique, ravenous, manure, and sculptures.

Assessment: Reading Quiz

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

  • In the “Collect the Snapshots” game, students answer capitalization questions to collect photos of famous American places.

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 unique, ravenous, manure, and sculpture.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • Have students consider what makes their community special and design their own fair with the My Community Fair! skill sheet.

ELA Focus: Nonfiction Text Features (15 min.)

  • Students will analyze the various features of their article with the Text-Feature Hunt skill sheet.

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

  • “America the Beautiful,” May/June 2018. Students will identify the characteristics of different landforms found in America.
  • “A New American Symbol,” February 2018. Learn about American symbols, specifically the bison, with this issue.

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

  • Higher-Lexile level: 600L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 480L