Grade Three Lesson Plan for “Life on the Ice” by Susan E. Goodman
Objectives
1. Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. LA3-RL-1
2. Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur). LA3-RI-7
3. Report on a topic or text, tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace. LA3-SL-4
Materials and Preparation
- “Life on the Ice” by Susan E. Goodman; provide multiple copies of the book or photocopy one set of the pages. Each group will use only a few pages.
- Globe of the Earth
- Art supplies accessible if needed
Procedure
Hold up the book and explain that it is a non-fiction book with a lot of interesting information about two places on the Earth. Instead of just reading the book place students in groups of three. Each group will be responsible for a few pages in the book. They must present the information to the rest of the class and include three questions for the class to answer about what they have learned.
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Day One
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Read the information on your assigned pages. Take notes on the important parts. Decide how you want to present the information. This could be done by creating a poster with facts, simply taking turns reading to the class, acting out a part with props or any other creative way.
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Day Two
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Prepare your presentation. Include three review questions. Use other sources such as encyclopedias or websites if necessary.
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Day Three
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Present the material to the class. Can they answer the questions?
Group Assignments
- Pages 5-8 The Artic and Antarctic (Use a globe)
- Pages 9-11 Icebergs
- Pages 12-15, 28 Planes Traveling to the Poles
- Pages 16-19 Scientists Study
- Pages 20-21 Clothing
- Pages 22-23 Survival Outdoors
- Pages 24-27 Seasons
- Pages 29-30 Difference between the Poles
- Page 31 Why Study There?
Team Challenge
Gather the questions from each group. A few days after the presentations divide the class into two teams. Teams take turns answering the questions again. Which team remembers the most information?
References
- PBS: Life on the Ice
- Goodman, Susan E. Life on the Ice. Millbrook Press, 2006.
- National Geographic: This Man Will Spend 80 Days Walking Antarctica Alone
- National Geographic Kids: 10 Facts about the Arctic