American Sports Legends
Biography (nonfiction), 2,361 words, Level W (Grade 4)

Lesson Objectives

Reading Strategy	Ask and answer questions
Comprehension	Elements of a Biography
Grammar and Mechanics	Dash
Word Work	Homophones

Book Summary

American Sports Legends is a biographical text about four people who were legends in American sports. This book describes the accomplishments of Jim Thorpe, Mildred Didrickson Zaharias, Jackie Robinson, and Jesse Owens. All of these athletes showed magnificent strength of character, as well as accomplishing feats of physical strength. Overcoming obstacles such as racial prejudice, physical ailments, and sexism, these athletes proved that anyone can succeed with enough passion and commitment.

About the Lesson

Targeted Reading Strategy

• Ask and answer questions

Objectives

• Use the reading strategy of asking and answering questions to understand text
• Identify elements of a biography
• Understand the use of a dash as punctuation
• Identify homophones

Vocabulary

• Content words: commitment, determination, discriminated, integrate, intimidated, legacy, ordeal, pentathlon, racism, revolutionized, sharecropper

Book Resources

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