Preparing For The Trip

Objectives:
  1. Students will describe their own experiences about visiting an airport and taking a trip on a plane.
  2. Students will understand the surroundings of an airport and what it is like to be the pilot of an airplane by comprehending the story that was read aloud.
  3. Students will participate in a discussion and will be able to give examples regarding the items in their backpacks.
  4. Students will understand the requirements for joining the class trip.
  5. Students will construct their backpacks effectively.
Materials:
  1. What its like to be an Airplane Pilot
  2. student's half-finished backpacks
  3. scrap box
  4. tape
  5. scissors
  6. yarn
Procedures:
  1. Have all of the children gather in the story area.
  2. Discuss student's experiences visiting an airport and flying on an airplane. Ask the class questions such as:
    -Who has taken an airplane trip before?
    -Where did you go?
    -Did you travel with your parents? Who else?
    -Do you think this book will be similar to your own experiences?
  3. Read aloud What its like to be an Airplane Pilot.
  4. Stop during the story to ask questions about the book and to see if this book is synonymous with their own experiences.
  5. Once the book is finished ask questions to check for comprehension. These will include:
    -What is the area called where you will leave your backpacks?
    -What are the names of the various people that help you in the airport and on the airplane?
    -How do airplanes pilots control where the airplane is flying?
    -How did the two children feel before their flight? Did any of you feel like that
    when you were about to leave on your vacations? Were you traveling alone as well?
    -How did they feel once they landed? Did you feel the same way when you landed?
  6. Discuss the class airplane trip that we will be taking on Wiley World Airlines. Focus on when the class will be leaving, and what each student needs to participate in the class trip. These things include a birth certificate and a completed backpack with the essential items needed for traveling.
  7. Allow the students to share what they have created for their backpacks with the class. Brainstorm other possible things that students may need on the trip. These items will include clothing, essential toiletries, and food. They will be able to bring any additional items they want as long as the items fit inside their backpacks.
  8. Students will then go back to their desks and continue constructing their backpacks and the supplies that they want to bring along on the trip. The teacher will circulate throughout the classroom to make sure that all children are on task and the supplies have not diminished.
Evaluation of student learning:
  1. Were the students able to describe their own experiences visiting an airport and taking a trip on an airplane?
  2. Were the students able to answer questions about the book read aloud? Did they understand what an airport looks like and what it would be like to be a pilot?
  3. Were the students describing items in their backpacks that could serve as examples for the other students?
  4. Did the students understand the requirements necessary to join class trip?
  5. Did the students construct their backpacks effectively?
Evaluation of lesson:
  1. Were all of the students eager to contribute to the opening discussion in a meaningful way?
  2. Were all of the students excited about the story What its like to be an Airplane Pilot? Did they enjoy answering the questions about the story?
  3. Did all of the students work efficiently on their backpacks? Did they enjoy making both their backpack and its contents?
  4. What would I change when doing this lesson again in the future?
Return to the "Backpacking Through Europe"' page
Return to the 96-97 YLP page