Lesson Plan - What’s Up, World? Peru

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

• etched
• native

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about ways Peru and the United States are similar and different.

1. According to the article, why did people begin discovering the Nazca Lines in the 1920s?
The article explains that people began discovering the Nazca Lines in the 1920s because the first planes had been invented. It had been hard to see the lines from the ground, but the lines were more noticeable from the sky.
^{(RI.3.8 Cause and Effect)}

2. How is the timing of the seasons in Peru different from the timing of the seasons in the U.S.?
Summer in Peru runs from October to March, while summer in the U.S. runs from June to September. The article explains that “Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere. Seasons there are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere, where the U.S. is located.” 
^{(RI.3.8 Comparison)}

3. Based on the article, photos, and captions, what might people do on a visit to Peru?
Sample response: On a visit to Peru, people could see the Nazca Lines and alpacas, visit the Machu Picchu ruins, go to a beach, eat ceviche, and see the Mantaro River.
^{(RI.3.1 Demonstrate Understanding)}

FEATURED SKILL: Compare and Contrast
Share the skill builder “Comparing Communities” to have students compare and contrast a Peruvian landmark with one in their own community. For Peru, students might choose between Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines, which are both described in the article. They can also do research to select a different site.
^{(RI.3.8 Comparison)}