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 
• petition

Set a Purpose for Reading
Draw attention to the “As You Read” question. Have students try to identify the main problem the students wanted to solve.

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 trip and get hurt. The Young Change Makers organized a petition and got the school board to fix the yard.
^{(RI.3.5 PROBLEM/SOLUTION)}

2. Why did getting the schoolyard fixed seem hopeless at first?
It seemed hopeless at first because officials had been asking for repairs for more than 10 years. Many of the city’s 300 other public schools needed repairs too.
^{(RI.3.2 KEY DETAILS)}

3. What does the author mean when she writes that the Young Change Makers “aren’t stopping there”?
The author means that the students are planning other ways to improve their school.
^{(RI.3.2 MAIN IDEA)}

FEATURED SKILL: Explanatory Writing
Use the Skill Builder “Make a Difference!” to have students plan how they can make a change. 
^{(W.3.2 EXPLANATORY WRITING)}