Lesson Plan - Vanished!

Watch a Video

Watch the video “The Mystery of Amelia Earhart” and ask: Why was Earhart’s plan to fly around the world considered a big deal?

Preview Words to Know

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

• aviator 
• sonar

Set a Purpose for Reading

As students read, have them think about why Amelia Earhart continues to fascinate people.

1. What made the 1937 search for Amelia Earhart’s plane difficult?
The 1937 search for Amelia Earhart’s plane was difficult because searchers did not know exactly where the plane had disappeared. They had to search a large area­—about 250,000 square miles.
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2. What are some reasons the Deep Sea Vision team believes the object they spotted could be Earhart’s plane?
The Deep Sea Vision team believes the object they spotted could be Earhart’s plane in part because the object was spotted near Howland Island, which was scheduled to be Earhart’s next landing spot. Another reason is that the team believes the object they found is shaped like the long-lost plane.
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3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Did Amelia Earhart Survive?”
The purpose of the sidebar, “Did Amelia Earhart Survive?,” is to explore two other theories about what might have happened to Earhart. The sidebar explains that some believe Earhart could have been captured by Japanese military after crash-landing. Others believe the pilot could have landed on a small island called Nikumaroro.
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FEATURED SKILL: Making Inferences

Distribute the skill builder “What Can You Infer?” and have students answer the questions to make inferences related to the article. Review their responses as a class.

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