Lesson Plan - Doomed Voyage

Watch a Video
Watch the video “Searching for the Titanic.” Discuss: How was the Titanic wreck discovered?

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

• captivate
• fateful

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them identify reasons they think many people are so interested in the story of the Titanic.

1. Based on the article, why did the Titanic make headlines even before it set sail?
One reason the Titanic made headlines even before it sailed was that it was considered the safest and most luxurious ship ever built. Another reason was that its passengers included some of the world’s richest business leaders, who were seen as celebrities at that time.
^{R.1 Text Evidence}

2. What details in the article help you understand why the Titanic’s final resting place was a mystery for many years?
The article describes the remote location where the shipwreck was eventually found, which helps readers understand why for decades, no one knew where the wreck was. The article says that the ship was “about 1,250 miles off the coast of New York and more than 2 miles below the surface.”
^{R.3 Explaining Events}

3. What is the main idea of the section “The Story Goes On”?
The main idea of this section is that interest in the Titanic continues to grow over time, with the tragedy being the focus of many books, movies, websites, and social media posts.
^{R.2 Main Idea}

Featured Skill: Cause and Effect
Use the skill builder “Titanic’s Last Moments” to have students read a timeline of the ship’s sinking and answer related questions.
^{R.5 Chronology}