Reading Level:
T

Word Count:
1,875

Pages:
26 

Text Summary
Lighter than Air is a fascinating history of floating aircraft. Topics range from the discovery of Montgolfier Gas to the flight of the Goodyear Blimp. Both the photographs and the details in the text are of high interest to children. Many teaching opportunities are provided throughout the book. 

Lesson Objectives

Reading Strategies
Children should use a variety of strategies to decode words and bring meaning to print. The targeted strategy for this lesson is: Using context clues

This book has some vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to readers. They can use the reading strategy of going back and rereading to help them decipher the text. 

Comprehension
Children can make connections between what they are reading and what they already know to increase their comprehension of this story.

 Word and Print Skills

Phonics
Spelling of homophones

Word Work

Word structure
Suffixes

Comprehension
You will likely address a number of comprehension skills as children work to understand the text. The targeted comprehension strategy for this lesson is: Understanding images and captions

Have children describe what the images are about on pages 6, 10, 14, and 20. 

Targeted Vocabulary Words

Content Words
Passed, their, its, very
Explain to children that these words have homophones. Passed, there, it's, and very are all homophones of these words. Point out that it is easy to get mixed up when writing, and that everyone needs to pay attention to the way things are spelled so the reader does not get confused. 

Before Reading

Introducing the Book
Show children the book and ask: What do you think this book will be about? Do you think it will be a fact book or fiction book? Why do you think so?

There should be a lot of predictions from children. Write their predictions on the board and see if they match up later. Explain that predictions cannot be wrong because they are only guesses. They might not be true, but a prediction is only what could possibly happen. Scientists use predictions all the time, and while they are sometimes not the reality, they are often a good start to understanding ideas. 

Have the children look at the cover of the book. Ask: What do you think this book will be about? 

Initiate a discussion about balloons and other things that are lighter than air. 

Building Background
Start a discussion with children about flight. Ask them to think about the things that can fly. Ask: Why is this book called Lighter Than Air? Are airplanes lighter than air, or only balloons? 

Discuss the ways in which birds, balloons, and airplanes are different. 

Reading Strategies
Discuss any reading strategies children can use to help them read.
Ask:

• How will the pictures help you read the words?
• What can you do when you come to a word you cannot read?
• What can you do if you don't understand a part you have just read?

During Reading

Student Reading
Have children read the book with a partner. Review some of the strategies readers use while reading:

• Reading for context clues by reading ahead.
• Rereading when the story does not make sense.
• Checking the illustrations to see if they will help with context clues. 

After Reading

Comprehending the Text
Ask children to retell the text. Have them partner up and explain what the text is saying for each page in their own words. Next, have them discuss what they found most interesting about the text, and what they would like to read more about from the text. If they did not enjoy the text, have them discuss what it was about the text they did not like. 

Building Skills

Phonics
Spelling
Have children look for words that sound alike, but have different spellings and meanings. They can use the text or a dictionary, or they can brainstorm as a class. Start a list of homophones on the board. 

Introduce the Spelling worksheet. 

Word Work
Suffixes
Have the children write three sentences using verbs. Write the same sentences again using a different suffix to change the meaning of one word in the sentence. Have them rewrite each sentence so it makes sense. 

Expand the Reading

Writing Connection
Have children write a story about travel. They can use the text as an example to imagine what it might be like to fly in a dirigible, or they can come up with another form of travel they would like to write about. It can be factual if they are not comfortable making up a narrative. 

Art Connection
Have children research the types of transportation available today. They can select one form of transportation, then draw a picture, make a model, or write a description of it. 

Social Studies Connection
Have children research the origins of one mode of transportation. Have them tell the class about what they have discovered. 

Reading Independently
Have children read the book independently or with a partner. You can also encourage them to read other books of their choice at the appropriate level. 

Home Connection
Have children take their book home and share what they have learned with a family member. Have them discuss with their family interesting things they have learned in class.

Assessment

• Monitor children's responses in the Comprehending the Text section to assess how well they understand the text or story.
• Monitor reading to see if children are using the effective reading strategies.
• Assess the students' knowledge of adverbs by monitoring their writing.
• Check the Comprehension and Skills Activity Sheets for following directions and completing the activity accurately.