Sun Power! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will explore solar power and the things it can do.

 

Science Focus:

solar power

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, main idea and details, text evidence, writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

RI.2.7 read a diagram

 

Vocabulary:

solar, solar panels, natural resource, renewable

 

CCSS:

SL.2.3, RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.2, RI.2.8, L.2.1

 

Guided Reading Level:

L

 

Lexile Level: 

500L

Download TEKS Standards
Download California State Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on the sun.

 

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Here Comes the Sun.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • Name one thing the sun gives us. (Answers include: light, heat, food.)
  • How does the sun help plants? (It helps them make food.)
  • How can you protect yourself from the sun’s power? (Answers include: drink water, use sunscreen.)

 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are solar, solar panels, natural resources, and renewable.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask, “How is this car different from other cars?” Point out that it doesn’t run on gas—it runs on the sun’s power!
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about all the different things that can be powered by the sun.” 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 Checkpoint (15 min.)

Pass out the Reading Checkpoint 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 words landfill, decompose, and factory.

Editor’s Pick: Main Idea (15 min.)

  • The Write the Main Idea and Details skill sheet helps children summarize what they read in the article. If children need scaffolding, have them write “The sun gives us power” in the top box. Then they can write three things that can be powered by the sun in the details boxes.

ELA Focus: Text Evidence (15 min.)

  • Norbert Know-It-All is at it again! Read his letter explaining the “facts” about solar power. Children will see he does not know it all! Kids can write to Norbert, using text evidence to correct him. Send letters to norbert@scholastic.com. Norbert will write back!

 Here is a past issue you can use to extend your lesson on the sun's power:

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

  • Higher Lexile level: 510L
  • Lower Lexile level: 450L