Lesson Plan - History Makers: Duke Kahanamoku

Watch a Video: Into the World of Surfing
After watching, discuss: Who was Duke Kahanamoku? What is he known for? 

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

• exhibition
• legacy

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about why Kahanamoku is considered the father of modern surfing. 

1. Why do people consider Kahanamoku the father of modern surfing?
Kahanamoku is known as the father of modern surfing because he introduced surfing to many parts of the world and was one of the best surfers of all time.
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2. The text says Kahanamoku “shattered the world record” in the 100-yard freestyle. What does the verb shattered tell you?
When a thing is shattered, it is broken to an extreme degree. When Kahanamoku shattered the record, he broke it by a lot. He swam the event much faster than the previous record holder.
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3. According to the article, how did Kahanamoku’s skills in the water prove to be lifesaving?
The article explains that in 1925, a boat capsized in rough water in Newport Beach, California. Kahanamoku used his surfboard to rescue eight men.
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FEATURED SKILL: Text Evidence
Use the Skill Builder “All About Duke Kahanamoku” to have students complete a biographical profile of Kahanamoku. 
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