Text: The World’s Most Amazing Bridges Author: Michael Hurley
Type/Genre: Informational
Learning Goals: Language Arts or Content Area
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The students will understand unique features about various bridges around the world.
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The students will be able to identify similarities and differences between several bridges around the world.
Before reading:
Build background knowledge: none needed
Introduce story vocabulary: span (length) constructed (built) pedestrian
(someone who is walking by foot)
Set purpose: This is an informational text about bridges. It is going to be filled with information and facts which can be an overwhelming amount to remember.
So, for our lesson today, we are only going to focus on a few sections. I’m going to use the headings to locate the sections that I want to read. I can also use the table of contents to find the page numbers the sections are located on. As I read each section, I want you to listen to the information to determine what is unique about each bridge and think also how they are similar and different.
During reading:
Teaching Points/Questions:
Page #4-5 Bridges: After reading the introduction: This book is filled with information on amazing bridges. According to the text, what makes these bridges amazing? (some are very old, some are amazing because of the way they look)
What main purpose do bridges serve? (they connect two places and make it easier and quicker to cross)
Page #18-19 Bloukrans Bridge: What type of person might want to visit this bridge and why? (an adventurous person- it is a great spot for bungee jumping)
What makes this bridge so amazing? (largest single-span concrete bridge in the world; 3 rd highest bridge of its kind in the world)
Page #22-23Tower Bridge: What is one unique feature about this bridge that makes it different from other bridges we have read about? (has two towers in the middle; has a drawbridge; road runs along bottom and pedestrian’s walk across the top using glass covered walkways)
The text says that the bridge was used to ease the traffic problems in London.
How would the construction of the bridge help solve the traffic problem? (people would have an alternate route which would take cars off the main highway)

Page #26-27 The Future of Bridges: Why would a bridge from Russia to Alaska be beneficial? (would allow for the transportation of goods; would provide a direct route)
According to the text, what is one thing that could prevent it from being constructed in the future? (the amount of time and money it would take to build it; they can only work in the summer because of the icy waters and that would slow down the construction)
After reading:
Comprehension focus: What is one way that all bridges are alike? (they all connect two places and allow for people to cross in some way)
Vocabulary review: _Review the 3 words mentioned earlier by having the students share a sentence with their partner using the word in the correct context.
Written Response: Modeled_____Shared__X___Independent_____
We have read about several unique bridges around the world. Select one bridge that we’ve read about and write a paragraph describing why it is unique. Include details from the text to support your description.
(you may want to model one like the one below, then have students complete another during their independent time)
One of the world’s most amazing bridges, the Brooklyn Bridge, can be found right here in the United States. It took 14 years to construct it and it is now one of the famous landmarks in New York City. Many tourists cross over it each year. It is also the longest suspension bridge in the world. Its weight is suspended by strong cables. Finally, when this bridge was completed, a group of 21 elephants was taken across to prove it was sound. This is just one example of the amazing bridges located around the world.