Day: Friday Date: 11/3/2023

Subject:
Literacy, reading comprehension.

Common Core Standard(s):

Reading standard for informational text: Grade 2 students:
 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to
demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

Objective(s): At the end of this lesson my students will be able to…

 At the end of this lesson my students will be able to identify the who, what, when,
why, and where after reading a story.

Resources/Materials List:
 Pencils
 20 copies of the Balto worksheet (copy down below)
 Answer key of Balto worksheet (copy down below)
 20 Balto books – enough for each student to have their own.
 Balto YouTube video read along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Ys8ziT8VPEw

Procedure:
Preparation: this is done before the school day and will take place during the
language arts section of the day
 Print out 20 copies of the Balto worksheet.
 Familiarize yourself with the answer key. You may also keep this with you
throughout the lesson.
 Read the book yourself and be familiar with it.
 By familiarizing yourself with the worksheet and book you will be able to answer
questions that may arise.
Questions before activity (guiding questions):
 Who here has a dog at home? Or knows someone who has a dog? – yes or no
answer.
 Has that dog ever done anything crazy before, like a cool trick? – yes or no answer,
allow some to explain the trick.
 How about something heroic? like saving something or someone? – answers will
vary, personal answer.
 Who has heard of Balto before? – yes or no answer.
 Who knows what sled dogs are? – can be any dog but are often Siberian huskies,
Inuit dogs, Alaska malamute, and Samoyeds.
 What about the Iditarod? – it is a sled dog race.
The activity
 Pass out the books to all of the students, once each student has a book play the
YouTube read along.
 Tell them to pay attention as they will be getting a worksheet answering
questions about the book.
 After the read along is over allow the students to ask questions about the book?
Answer at the best of your ability.
 When there are no more relevant questions pass out the worksheet and tell them
to answer at the best of their ability, and if some are struggling to grasp question
The Bravest Dog Ever: The Story of Balto
Name: ___________________

1. When did this story take place?

2. Where did Balto live?

3. How did they travel in Alaska during the winter?

4. Who did Balto work for?

5. What is a lead dog?

6. What was the name of the sickness that the children had?

7. Why was it important for the doctor to get medicine?

8. What happened to the train on its way to Nome?

9. How did Gunnar hear about the town needing help?

10. How did they keep the medicine from freezing?

11. Where did Balto and Gunnar start their race?

12. What does “mush” mean?

13. What would happen to Balto if his feet froze?

14. Why did Gunnar and Balto not stop at Point Safety?

15. How long did it take for the medicine to get

delivered?

16. Where is the statue of Balto?

The Bravest Dog Ever: The Story of Balto – answer
key
17. When did this story take place?

- In 1925

18. Where did Balto live?

- Nome, Alaska

19. How did they travel in Alaska during the winter?

- Dog sleds

20. Who did Balto work for?

- He worked for a gold mining company.

21. What is a lead dog?

- Runs in the front of a dog sled team.

22. What was the name of the sickness that the children
had?

- Diphtheria

23. Why was it important for the doctor to get medicine?

- The children would die, and others could die too.

24. What happened to the train on its way to Nome?

 - The train got stuck in snow.

25. How did Gunnar hear about the town needing help?

- He heard the mayor speaking over the radio.

26. How did they keep the medicine from freezing?

- The first musher wrapped it in fur.

27. Where did Balto and Gunnar start their race?

- Bluff, Alaska.

28. What does “mush” mean?

- It means go.

29. What would happen to Balto if his feet froze?

- He would never be able to walk again.

30. Why did Gunnar and Balto not stop at Point Safety?

- The lights were out, and Gunnar didn’t know if the next
driver was there.

31. How long did it take for the medicine to get

delivered?

- 5 and a half days.

32. Where is there a statue of Balto?

- Central Park, New York City.