Flying with Perseverance

Lesson Overview

Grade: 1st
Duration: 20 minutes
Class size: 13 students
Subject: English Language Arts (ELA)
Focus: Listening comprehension, key details, perseverance theme
Text: Story about a man who wanted to fly (teacher’s provided story)

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Standards Alignment

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2
  Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
  Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

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Learning Objectives (I Can Statements)

• I can listen carefully to a story without interruptions.
• I can identify the main character’s goal.
• I can understand how the main character works hard to achieve his goal.

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Success Criteria

• I listened to the entire story from start to finish.
• I can name Uncle’s goal in the story.
• I can explain one way Uncle worked hard to reach his goal.

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Materials Needed

• Book (print or dyslexia-friendly format) about the man who wanted to fly
• Visual chart with key vocabulary words and their definitions
• Simple illustration cards representing parts of the story
• Comfortable reading area or carpet space

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Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction (3 minutes)

• Gather students in the reading area.
• Say:
  “Today, we are going to read another story about perseverance. This story is about a man who wanted to fly, and we will learn about how he achieved that goal.”
• Briefly show the book cover and ask students what they know about flying or people who try to fly. (Activate prior knowledge)
• Introduce 2-3 key vocabulary words from the story with simple explanations (e.g., perseverance = not giving up). Use picture cues.

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2. Read-Aloud (11 minutes)

• Read the story aloud without interruption, except to briefly clarify any word if many students show confusion.
• Use expressive voice and point to illustrations to support comprehension.
• Keep the atmosphere relaxed to help students enjoy the narrative experience.
• Use a dyslexia-friendly text version if possible:
  • Larger font size
  • Clear spacing between lines and words
  • Sans serif font (e.g., Arial or Comic Sans)

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3. Post-Reading Discussion (4 minutes)

• Ask targeted questions aligned with SL.1.2 to check understanding:
  • “What was Uncle’s goal in the story?”
  • “How did Uncle work hard to reach his goal?”
• Encourage students to use simple sentences.
• Use illustration cards to cue students who need visual support.

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4. Wrap-Up and Reflection (2 minutes)

• Summarize key points:
  “Uncle wanted to fly, and even though it was hard, he never gave up. That is called perseverance.”
• Reinforce “I can” statements:
  • “By listening closely, you can learn about goals and how people reach them.”
• Praise students for their listening and participation.

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Differentiation

Learner Needs	Strategies
Struggling listeners	Seating close to teacher, seat cushions for comfort, repetition of key words post-read
English Language Learners (ELL)	Visual aids with vocabulary, gestures, peer buddy support
Students with attention difficulties	Short breaks before story, fidget tools, positive reinforcement
Students with dyslexia	Provide dyslexia-friendly reading version of text, allow audio/story recordings for review

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Extension Activities (For Advanced Learners)

• Draw a picture or write 1-2 sentences about a goal they would like to achieve and how they will keep trying.
• Retell the story in their own words using their own drawings or acting out key parts in pairs.
• Introduce simple synonyms or antonyms for vocabulary words like “perseverance” (e.g., never give up vs. quit).

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Notes for the Teacher

• Focus on engagement through visual and oral storytelling rather than decoding words.
• Avoid lengthy pauses during reading to maintain young students’ attention.
• Use warm, encouraging language to foster a love of stories about real people and character traits.
• Keep the classroom atmosphere welcoming and supportive.

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This lesson plan aims to cultivate foundational listening skills and character understanding through the engaging theme of perseverance, tightly aligned to Common Core standards and age-appropriate strategies.