Lesson Plan - 2021 Year in Review

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• remnants
• distinction

Set a Purpose for Reading
Have students list news events they recall from 2021. Invite them to vote on which ones they would include in a summary of the year, and explain that they’re about to read a summary put together by the Scholastic News editors.

1. What’s another good heading for the section “Best at the Bee”? Explain. 
This section is about the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, so another good heading might be “Spelling Champion” or “Super Speller.” 
^{(R.2 MAIN IDEA)}

2. What does the expression “stepped into the spotlight” mean? How did gymnast Suni Lee step into the spotlight this year? 
Someone steps into the spotlight when they start getting a lot of attention. After Simone Biles decided not to compete in some events at the Summer Olympics, Suni Lee stepped into the spotlight by winning three medals, including one gold.
^{(R.1 DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING)}

3. Compare and contrast the two storms discussed in the article. 
February’s winter storm left many homes and businesses without power, heat and clean water, especially in Texas. It killed more than 200 people. In the summer, Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana with strong winds. It raged across several states and brought record rains. More than 80 people died.
^{(R.5 COMPARISON)}

FEATURED SKILL: Reading Comprehension
Use the skill builder “What a Year!” to assess comprehension.
^{(R.1 CLOSE READING)}