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Lesson Plan - Journey Into the Deep
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Learning Objective
Students will learn details about the ocean’s deepest point and identify challenges in exploring this area.
Text Structure
Description, Comparison
Content-Area Connections
Earth Science
Standards Correlations
CCSS: RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.5, RI.3.6, RI.3.7, RI.3.8, RI.3.10, L.3.4, SL.3.1
NGSS: Earth and Human Activity
TEKS: Science 3.7
1. Preparing to Read
Watch a Video: Ocean of LifeAfter watching, discuss: How are conditions different in various parts of the ocean? What kinds of creatures live in each?
Preview Words to KnowProject the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.
Set a Purpose for ReadingPoint out the “As You Read” question and have students think about reasons most life can’t survive in the deepest ocean.
2. Close-Reading Questions
1. Based on the text and pictures, what is a submersible? What do you know about the submersible Vanessa O’Brien used? The text and photos show that a submersible is a small vehicle used for traveling underwater. The submersible O’Brien used is made from one of the strongest metals on Earth.(RI.3.4 DOMAIN-SPECIFIC VOCABULARY)
2. What did O’Brien do during her expedition to the Mariana Trench? O’Brien helped map a mile of the trench. She also collected water samples and took videos.(RI.3.2 KEY DETAILS)
3. What can you learn from the “Layers of the Ocean” diagram? You can learn details about the five zones, or layers, of the ocean. For example, the diagram shows that the deepest scuba dives are in the twilight zone.(RI.3.7 USING ILLUSTRATIONS)
3. Skill Building
FEATURED SKILL: Close ReadingUse the skill builder “Deep Dive” to have students follow a close- reading checklist as they read the article three times.(RI.3.1 CLOSE READING)
Multilingual Learners Invite students whose native language is Spanish to read the Spanish version of this article (available online) alongside the English version.
Striving Readers Preview the article together before reading, calling attention to text features like the title, section headings, and boldfaced words. Discuss how each text feature supports readers.
Writing Extension Invite students to respond to this prompt: Vanessa O’Brien has explored Earth’s highest point and the ocean’s deepest point. If you could explore anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?