Objective
The objective of this lesson is to improve reading comprehension skills while exploring the topic of sharks. By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to read and understand informational texts about sharks, identify key details, and make connections to their prior knowledge.
Materials and Prep
- Books or articles about sharks
- Pen or pencil
- Notebook or paper
No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.
Activities
-
Start by asking the student what they already know about sharks. Write down their responses in their notebook or on a piece of paper.
-
Provide the student with a book or article about sharks. Encourage them to read it silently or aloud, depending on their preference. As they read, ask them to underline or highlight any key details or interesting facts they come across.
-
After reading, have a discussion with the student. Ask them to share the key details they found and what they learned from the text. Encourage them to make connections to their prior knowledge and ask any questions they may have.
-
For further practice, ask the student to write a short summary of what they learned about sharks from the reading. Remind them to include the key details they identified earlier.
-
As a fun extension activity, suggest that the student creates a shark-themed bookmark or drawing to represent their newfound knowledge.
Sixth Grade Talking Points
- "Sharks are a fascinating topic to explore in reading because they are often misunderstood creatures."
- "Reading about sharks can help us learn more about their behavior, habitats, and importance in the ocean ecosystem."
- "By identifying key details while reading, we can better understand the main ideas and important information about sharks."
- "Making connections to our prior knowledge helps us relate what we read to what we already know, making the information more meaningful."
- "Writing a summary of what we learned helps us organize our thoughts and remember the important facts about sharks."
- "Creating a shark-themed bookmark or drawing allows us to express our creativity while reinforcing what we learned about sharks."