An At-Home Literacy Lesson Plan Crafted by BGCHarlem Literacy Specialist Kristin Richardson Jordan
Photo: atlantaparent.com
Parents:
While the Coronavirus pandemic has caused many of us to practice social distancing, it has also highlighted the connection between us all.
The disease knows no boundaries or national borders, it is global in nature, and we are facing it on a global level.
With that in mind, it is especially important that we see ourselves and each other as connected citizens of the world.
The following literacy activity allows students to think about their family ancestry, see the many ways that our whole world is connected, and to research a nation of the world. Start by watching a short video by Ancestry.com that you will find below.
Then, have a conversation using the follow-up questions. Lastly, end by letting your kids research a nation of the world and tell us about it. They can use the example below for guidance.
For extra fun, encourage them to post their work in the comments!
Addresses Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.10 Read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. (You may click here to print the lesson or the student may view the lesson online and write his/her answers on a separate piece of paper)
Students:
Step 1: View this clip from Ancestry.com to see how we are all connected!
Ancestry.com Video
School of DNA
Follow Up Discussion Questions:
Where are your parents from?
Where are your grandparents from?
What do you know or wish you knew about your ancestry?
What nations mentioned in the video are the most interesting to you?
Is there a country you would like to visit?
Step 2: Research a nation of the world
There are 195 countries in the world. Research one of these places and see what there is to learn! Here is a website that can help you with your research:
National Geographic for Kids - Explore Countries
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/
Step 3: Tell us about the nation you researched
After researching one of the nations of the world, write about that nation.
For Ages 5-6: Write one sentence that includes the name of the country and a fact about that country.
Ages 7-8: Write three sentences that tell us 1) the name of the country and 2) either a fact related to the culture of that country or the environment of that country.
Ages 9 and Up: Write a paragraph that is 4-6 sentences (like the example below) and tell us 1) the name of the country 2) something about the culture of that country 3) something about the environment of that country.
Example:
Cuba’s official name is the Republic of Cuba. The culture is a mix of native, African, and European cultures. There are forests, jungles, and grasslands. The world’s smallest frog lives in Cuba.
Check out this research-based literacy activity from BGCA’s My.Future to learn more about how to research different topics. To create a My.Future account, sign up here.
Follow BGCHarlem social media channels for daily updates. Students, we would love to see your work! Be sure to upload a picture of yourself with your completed lessons using the hashtag #BGCHarlem.
View our additional 'Resources For Students & Parents for Dealing with COVID-19' HERE