Bessie Coleman
Biography (nonfiction), 1,321 words, Level R (Grade 3)

Lesson Objectives

Reading Strategy	Connect to prior knowledge
Comprehension	Sequence Events
Grammar and Mechanics	Simple and Compound Subjects
Word Work	Irregular Content Words

Book Summary

The first African-American female pilot, Bessie Coleman, was a brave pioneer. She set new standards for what women could do and achieve in the world. She also was instrumental in helping to create equal opportunities for African-Americans in the 1920s. This informative book, filled with photos of Coleman and the planes she flew, chronicles her life from childhood to her tragic early death in 1926.

About the Lesson

Targeted Reading Strategy

• Connect to prior knowledge

Objectives

• Use the reading strategy of making connections to prior knowledge to understand nonfiction text
• Sequence events to gain understanding in a biographical text
• Identify simple and compound subjects
• Recognize and use content vocabulary

Vocabulary

• Content words: aviation, barnstormer, biplane, discrimination, enlisted, inspired, loop-the-loop, manicurist, mechanic, parachuting, sharecroppers, solo

Book Resources

Formats Single-Sided Book Single-Sided Color Cover Double-Sided Book Double-Sided Color Cover Pocketbook Lesson Resources Lesson Plan Worksheets Discussion Cards Comprehension Quiz Level R Answer Sheet