Lesson Plan - Speaking Up for Our School

Watch a Video: Meet the Young Change Makers

After watching, discuss: What is the main goal of the Young Change Makers?

Preview Words to Know

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• deteriorated  
• persevere

Set a Purpose for Reading

Draw attention to the “As You Read” question. Have students think about how they could make change in their school or community.

1. What is the main problem described in the text? How did the Young Change Makers help solve it?
The main problem is that the schoolyard at Casarez Elementary was dangerous. Broken concrete caused kids to fall and get hurt. The Young Change Makers organized a petition and got the school board to fix the yard.

^{(RI.4.5 PROBLEM/SOLUTION)}

2. Why did getting the schoolyard fixed seem hopeless at first?
Getting the yard fixed seemed hopeless at first because officials had been asking for it to be fixed for a decade, and the city’s public schools already needed billions of dollars in repairs.

^{(RI.4.1 TEXT EVIDENCE)}

3. What is the main idea of the section “More to Come”? 
The main idea of this section is that the Young Change Makers continue to work for changes at their school.

^{(RI.4.2 MAIN IDEA)}

FEATURED SKILL: Explanatory Writing

Use the Skill Builder “Make a Difference!” to have students plan a way they might bring about positive change. 

^{(W.4.2 EXPLANATORY WRITING)}