[T4R] Let’s Build a Boat: L1 Background Knowledge

Description

Lesson plan:

Warm-Up: Prior Knowledge

• Ask students:
  • “Have you ever made something?”
  • “What was it?”
  • “How did you feel when you made it?”
• Prompt for ideas like cubbies, cards, Lego, models, etc.
• Encourage 2–3 children to share and highlight pride, creativity, or effort.

Book Cover Prediction

• Show the cover of Let’s Build a Boat. Ask:
  • “What do you think they are building?” “I wonder…”
  • “What clues can you see in the picture?”
  • “Why might someone want to build a boat?”
• Write a few student predictions or ideas on the wonderings page (butcher’s paper)

Video: Simple Boat Making

• Watch a short video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N44ZZ_dsvLI
• Afterwards, Discuss:
  • “Do you think it’s easy or hard to make a boat?”
  • “What materials or tools might the characters use?” – “I think… or I notice in the video…” (e.g., they’ll use wood, nails, and some kind of glue)
• Explain the topic we’re learning throughout the unit.
• Record students’ ideas about boats or anything about the cover on the wonderings page.
• Teacher can use a butcher’s paper instead of the provided template.

Students’ Wonders about the Story

• Records students’ inputs and wonders on the wonderings page:
  • What do you think the story is going to be about? – “I wonder if the story is about…”
  • Do you think they will use the same materials and tools that are used in the video?

For more details, please visit the resource page at: https://stevendegc.com.au/activity/t4r-lets-build-a-boat-l1-background-knowledge/