Kevin Archive/Alamy Stock Photo (Wright Brothers); Lebrecht Music & Arts/Alamy Stock Photo (Plane)
That was 119 years ago! The Wright brothers invented the first working airplane.
That was a long time ago! It was invented by the Wright brothers.
Kevin Archive/Alamy Stock Photo
High-Flying History
You’re going to read an article about an amazing airplane pilot from long ago. Here are five facts you should know first.
From the February 2022 Issue
Lexiles: 380L
Guided Reading Levels: I
DRA Level: 16-18
Topic:
Social Studies,
Common Core Standards
1) The first airplane was invented in 1903.
1) The first airplane was invented in 1903.
2) Most people didn’t get around in airplanes.
2) Most people didn’t get around in airplanes.
Vintage Images/Alamy Stock Photo
Here is a car from 1912.
Now, many people travel in airplanes. Maybe you have flown in one! But even after airplanes were invented, most people never went up in a plane. People took boats, trains, horses, and cars to get around.
People did not start flying in airplanes right away. People took boats and trains instead. People also rode on horses and in cars to get around.
3) Air shows soon became popular.
3) Air shows soon became popular.
Agence Roger Viollet/The GRANGER Collection
People loved to watch air shows 100 years ago. They would pay for a ticket, go to a field, and look up into the sky. Pilots would fly their planes and do tricks.
People loved to watch air shows. They would buy a ticket. They would go to a field. They would watch the planes.
4) Some pilots became famous.
4) Some pilots became famous.
Bridgeman Images
These people pretend to play tennis on a plane.
People did amazing tricks in the air! They stood on the plane’s wings. They hung from the planes—on purpose! They became stars.
People did amazing tricks! They stood on the plane’s wings. They hung from the planes! They became stars.
5) Bessie Coleman was one of these stars.
5) Bessie Coleman was one of these stars.
IanDagnall Computing/Alamy Stock Photo
Bessie Coleman
You will read about a famous pilot. Her name was Bessie Coleman. What is her story? Turn the page to see.
You will read about a famous pilot. Her name was Bessie Coleman. What is her story? Turn the page to see.
Activities
(4)
Skills Activities
About the Article
Social Studies Focus
Long ago and today; Technology changes over time
Vocabulary
pilots
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
1. BEFORE READING
Preview Vocabulary (5-10 minutes)
- This article’s featured word is pilots.
2. READ THE ARTICLE (10 MINUTES)
- This article works well with whole-class instruction. Call on different students to read each numbered section aloud. The numbers make the text easy to navigate.
- As you read, stop to analyze the photos. What do students notice about the plane and car in numbers 1 and 2? (They look old and different from today’s planes and cars.)
- Point out the people standing on the plane’s wings in the photo by number 4. Share that Bessie Coleman used to perform tricks just like this one after she became a pilot.
3. AFTER READING (3 MINUTES)
ELA Focus: Quiz (10 minutes)
- Pass out the quiz for a quick comprehension check.
- We offer both multiple-choice and written-answer formats for the quiz.
ELA Focus: Write Key Details to Nosey at nosey@scholastic.com
- It’s time to help Nosey fill out her Fact File! Print out Nosey’s Fact File from the Resources section of our website. Kids can find facts from the article. They can work in small groups or individually.
- Each fact box is scaffolded to help kids know what to write.
- You can also do this as a whole class activity and email their Fact Files to Nosey at nosey@scholastic.com!
Enrich the Learning: Paired Text (20 minutes)
- After reading this short article, students will have background knowledge for the Big Read article, “Bessie the Brave,” on page 6.
- Two Different Texts Use this printable to help your students compare and contrast this article with the Big Read.
Text-to-Speech