Lesson Plan - History Makers: The Wright Brothers

Watch a Video
Watch the video “History Takes Flight” and have students vote on three events from the video that they think would be most important to include in a timeline about the history of flight. 

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

• aviation 
• pioneers

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about why the Wright brothers are considered pioneers.

1. What details does the author give to show that the Wright brothers were curious as kids?
To show that the brothers were curious as kids, the author says that the boys enjoyed playing with a helicopter-like toy and even tried to make their own.
^{(RI.4.8 Reasons and Evidence)}

2. What does Beth Hudick mean when she says, “This is a story about people who didn’t accept that something was impossible”? Use text evidence to support your response.
Hudick means that the Wright brothers worked on building the first engine-powered plane even though other people said it couldn’t be done. The article states that “many people refused to believe that humans could fly.” But the Wright brothers believed it was possible. 
^{(RI.4.1 Inference)}

3. Look at the illustrations in the sidebar, “Taking Flight.” How do they add to your understanding of the Wright brothers’ accomplishment?
Sample response: The illustrations show how the brothers tried out the plane they had built. Orville lay on the lower wing and steered the plane as it flew unsteadily through the air. That probably took a lot of courage.
^{(RI.4.7 Text Features)}

FEATURED SKILL: Text Evidence
Use the skill builder “All About the Wright Brothers” to have students use details from the article to complete a biographical profile.
^{(RI.4.1 Text Evidence)}