[T4R] Let’s Build a Boat: L5 Connecting to a Different Text

Warm-Up – Reflect on Previous Read

• Ask: “What was the problem with the boat on the way home?”
• Encourage students to recall what went wrong in Let’s Build a Boat.
• Guide them to think about how the boat handled water movement, or if it may have been damaged.
• Record responses.

Read Supporting Text – Who Sank the Boat?

• Read the story aloud.
• Ask: “What was the problem with the boat in this story?”
• Compare the situation to the one in Let’s Build a Boat.
• Discuss whether the materials or passengers caused the problem.

Discussion – What Makes a Good Boat?

• Revisit the anchor chart: “How to Make a Good Boat.”
• Ask: “Why do you think the friends used wood instead of paper or metal?”
• Guide students to conclude: A good boat is strong and floats.
• Add notes to the class chart based on new insights.

Experiment – Testing Materials

• Explain that students will test different materials to see which are suitable for a boat base.
• Use two criteria: Does it float? Is it strong after being soaked and moved by water?
• Testing materials: paper, metal foil, wood (e.g., paddle pop sticks), plastic, and bubble wrap.
  • Place each flat material sample into the tub of water.
  • Gently create waves in the water to mimic what happened to the boat in Let’s Build a Boat—see if it still floats or sinks on its own.
  • After soaking, try tearing the material gently to see if it has stayed strong.
  • Record class observations together on a results chart.

Activity – Complete Material Testing Worksheet

• Students fill in the worksheet by drawing or writing their results for each material.
• They note which materials float, which are strong, and which fall apart or sink.