Year 3 Guided Reading Level L - Boats on the Move (with Lesson Plan)

Book Snapshot
• Title: Boats on the Move
• Genre: Nonfiction (informational)
• Subject: Science (Forces & Motion) / Reading (Informational Text)
• Primary Topic: Different ways boats move across water
• Estimated Guided Reading Level (A–Z): L

What This Book Teaches Best
• Different ways boats move on water (wind, oars, paddles, engines).
• How specific boat parts help movement (sails, mast, ropes, propeller).
• How coordinated actions affect motion (oars dipping “at the same time” to go straight).
• How markers guide movement during a race (boats turn around bright orange buoys to stay on track).
• Comparing speed and movement styles (quiet glide vs fast roar; forward motion by alternating paddle sides).

Learning Goals
• Students will identify several ways boats move across the water using details from the text.
• Students will explain how sails and wind help pull a boat forward.
• Students will describe how rowers use oars together to move a boat straight ahead.
• Students will describe how a double-ended paddle helps a kayak move forward quickly.
• Students will explain how an engine and propeller help push a motorboat through the water.
• Students will describe why boats turn around buoys during a race, based on the text.

Key Vocabulary From the Text
• mast — a tall pole that holds sails up.
• rhythm — a steady pattern of movement.
• double-ended — having an end on both sides.
• propeller — a spinning part that helps push a boat.
• buoys — floating markers that show where to go.

Discussion Prompts
• Pre-reading question: What are some different ways a boat could move across the water?
• Comprehension questions: How do large white sails help a boat move forward?
What do rowers do “at the same time,” and what does that help the boat do?
Why must boats turn around bright orange buoys during a race?

Printing Tips

1. Best Printing Method (Recommended)
   “Booklet” Printing (Best if Available)
   If your printer or PDF viewer supports Booklet Printing, use this.
   Settings to use:
   • Print mode: Booklet
   • Paper size: Letter or A4 (either works)
   • Orientation: Landscape
   • Print on both sides: Yes
   • Flip on: Short edge
   • Scaling: Fit to printable area
   • Booklet subset:
   o First test: Front sides only
   o Then: Back sides only
   This will automatically:
   • Pair pages correctly
   • Put the cover on the outside
   • Align everything for folding
   After printing, fold in half and staple along the spine.

2. If “Booklet” Printing Is NOT Available
   You can still print this correctly with manual duplex printing.
   Step-by-step:

3. Open the PDF.

4. Choose Print.

5. Set:
   o Orientation: Landscape
   o Pages per sheet: 1
   o Print on both sides: Yes
   o Flip on: Short edge

6. Print all pages.
   Because each PDF page already contains two facing book pages, the result will still fold cleanly into a book.