Unit Plan: Teaching “The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk” by Donald J. Sobol

Grade Level: 4th or 5th grade

Duration: 4-5 weeks

Objective: Students will learn about the Wright Brothers and their historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, through reading and engaging activities.

Week 1: Introduction to the Wright Brothers

1. Pre-reading Activity:
   • Show students pictures of airplanes and ask them what they know about the Wright Brothers.
   • Discuss their prior knowledge and record it on a KWL chart (What we Know, What we Want to know, What we Learned).
2. Reading:
   • Read aloud the book “The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk” by Donald J. Sobol.
   • Encourage students to ask questions and make predictions while reading.
   • Discuss the main characters, setting, and plot.
3. Vocabulary:
   • Introduce key vocabulary words from the book (e.g., aviation, glider, propeller, etc.).
   • Have students create flashcards with the word, definition, and an illustration.

Week 2: The Wright Brothers’ Childhood and Early Experiments

1. Research Activity:
   • Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific aspect of the Wright Brothers’ childhood or early experiments.
   • Provide resources (books, websites, etc.) for students to conduct research.
   • Have each group create a poster or presentation to share their findings with the class.
2. Timeline Activity:
   • Create a timeline on the classroom wall, starting from the Wright Brothers’ birth until their first flight.
   • Have students add important events and milestones to the timeline, using information from their research.

Week 3: The Wright Brothers’ Inventions and Challenges

1. Invention Activity:
   • Introduce the concept of the Wright Brothers’ inventions, such as the wind tunnel and the three-axis control system.
   • Divide students into pairs and have them design and build their own paper airplanes, incorporating some of the Wright Brothers’ ideas.
   • Test the airplanes for distance and accuracy, and discuss the results.
2. Obstacle Course:
   • Set up an obstacle course in the classroom or outside, representing the challenges the Wright Brothers faced during their experiments.
   • Have students navigate the course while discussing the difficulties the Wright Brothers encountered and how they overcame them.

Week 4: The First Flight at Kitty Hawk

1. Virtual Field Trip:
   • Take a virtual field trip to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, using online resources or videos.
   • Discuss the significance of Kitty Hawk as the location of the Wright Brothers’ first flight.
2. Writing Activity:
   • Have students write a journal entry as if they were one of the Wright Brothers on the day of their first flight.
   • Encourage them to include details about their emotions, thoughts, and the experience itself.

Week 5: Culminating Activity

1. Presentation:
   • Allow students to present their research posters or presentations from Week 2 to the class.
   • Encourage questions and discussions after each presentation.
2. Reflection:
   • Have students complete the “L” section of the KWL chart, reflecting on what they have learned throughout the unit.
   • Discuss any new questions or curiosities that have arisen.

Assessment: - Participation in class discussions and activities. - Completion of research posters or presentations. - Journal entry about the first flight at Kitty Hawk. - Reflection on the KWL chart.

Note: Adapt the activities and resources based on the availability and needs of your students.