Lesson Plan - History Makers: Duke Kahanamoku

Watch a Video: Into the World of Surfing

After watching, discuss: Who was Duke Kahanamoku? What was he known for?

Preview Words to Know

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

• modern 
• acknowledge

Set a Purpose for Reading

As students read, have them identify three challenges that Duke Kahanamoku overcame.

1. How did Duke introduce surfing to people all over the world? Duke introduced surfing to people all over the world by traveling to different places and surfing in amazing displays.

^{(RI.3.2 MAIN IDEA)}

2. Why do you think the author calls Duke a hero? Sample response: You can guess that the author calls Duke a hero because of the time Duke saved lives while surfing in California. The author says that when a boat tipped over in rough water, Duke used his surfboard to save eight people from drowning.

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3. What do you think it means that Duke “broke his own world record”? Duke set a record in 1911 for a 100-yard swim. Later, while competing in the Olympic Games, Duke broke his own record by swimming that distance even faster than he did in 1911.

^{(RI.3.4 DETERMINE MEANING)}

FEATURED SKILL: Text Evidence

Use the Skill Builder “All About Duke Kahanamoku” to have students complete a biographical profile of Duke. 

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