Lesson Plan - YouTube Turns 20!

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge by playing the video “Inventing the Internet.” Ask: What are some ways the Internet has changed the way people live? Then share the slideshow “YouTube Who’s Who” and discuss: Why do you think these YouTube videos went viral?  

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

• unprecedented
• revenue

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about what makes YouTube so popular.

1. What was the original idea for YouTube? How did the platform change over time?
The original idea for YouTube was for a website that would allow users to share homemade videos with friends. Over time, the platform grew as videos were seen by people all around the world. The article says, “By the summer of 2006, YouTube’s videos were getting more than 100 million views each day.”
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2. Based on the article, what do you think the word specialize means? What clues in the text help you infer this meaning?
Based on the article, you can guess that the word specialize means to focus on one area. The article gives a clue to this meaning when it says “These content creators specialize in a wide variety of topics. Some make helpful tutorials, such as how to bake a cake or play guitar.”
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3. According to the article, how do YouTubers make money?
The article explains that YouTubers make money when viewers watch the ads that play before and during videos. In addition, some companies pay YouTubers to promote their products in videos.
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Featured Skill: Informative Writing
Use the skill builder “Time to R.A.C.E.” to have students prepare a short constructed response to a writing prompt about the article.
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