This lesson is designed to build your critical-thinking skills in English as you read, listen, and answer different types of comprehension and discussion questions.

Although these questions are related to classroom instruction, independent learners can reflect on the ideas and topic to prepare for the listening portion of the lesson.

1. Picture Predictions: Show students the picture below or one related to the beach, such as a sandy shoreline or a sand castle. Ask them to discuss in pairs or small groups what they think the story might be about based on the picture. Encourage them to share their predictions and reasoning with the class.
2. Vocabulary Brainstorm: Write the words “beach,” “sand,” “ocean,” “seashells,” and “sunscreen” on the board. Have students brainstorm as many words and phrases related to the beach as possible in a given time. Then, share and discuss their responses as a class.
3. Guided Imagery: Guide students through a short guided imagery activity where they close their eyes and imagine themselves at the beach. Encourage them to visualize the sights, sounds, and sensations they might experience. Afterward, ask them to share their imaginations and discuss as a group.
4. KWL Chart: Distribute a KWL (Know, Want to Know, Learned) chart to students. In the “K” column, have them write down what they already know about going to the beach. In the “W” column, ask them to jot down questions they have or what they want to learn from the story. After reading the story, they can complete the “L” column with what they learned.
5. Anticipation Guide: Create an anticipation guide with statements related to the beach, such as “Going to the beach is always fun” or “The sand feels warm between your toes.” Have students read each statement and indicate whether they agree or disagree before listening to the story. Afterward, discuss their opinions and how they may have changed.

Listen and read the story and answer the questions.

One sunny day, a father and his six-year-old daughter set out on an adventure to the beach. They packed their sunscreen, towels, and a bucket for collecting seashells.

When they arrived, the little girl immediately ran to the shoreline, eager to feel the sand between her toes. The father followed behind, keeping a watchful eye on her.

As they walked along the beach, the little girl spotted something buried in the sand. “Look, Daddy! A clam!” she exclaimed. The father smiled and helped her dig it out of the sand. They examined the clam and then returned it to the water.

Next, they came across a starfish that had washed up on shore. The little girl was fascinated by its shape and texture. The father picked it up and explained how starfish can regenerate their arms if they lose them.

After that, they decided to build a sand castle. The little girl was in charge of collecting shells to decorate the castle while the father worked on building the structure. They worked together, laughing and joking as they built the sand castle.

Finally, the castle was finished, and they admired their work. Just as they were about to leave, the little girl spotted a seagull swooping down to steal a snack from a nearby family. She ran over and scared the seagull away, making everyone laugh.

As they walked back to their car, the little girl turned to her father and said, “Today was the best day ever, Daddy. I can’t wait to come back to the beach and find more clams and starfish and build more sand castles.” The father smiled, knowing that this was a day they would both remember for a long time.

1. What did the little girl find buried in the sand?
a) A seashell
b) A clam
c) A starfish
d) A crab

2. What did the father and daughter use to build their sand castle?
a) A shovel and a pail
b) A rake and a broom
c) Their hands and a bucket
d) A trowel and a spade

3. What did the father teach his daughter about the starfish?
a) They can fly.
b) They can regrow their arms.
c) They are afraid of humans.
d) They can breathe underwater.

4. What did the little girl do when she saw a seagull trying to steal a snack from a nearby family?
a) She ignored it and continued playing.
b) She chased it away.
c) She threw sand at it.
d) She fed it some of her own snacks.

5. What did the little girl say at the end of the day?
a) “I’m bored. Can we go home now?”
b) “I’m tired. Can we come back another day?”
c) “Today was the best day ever!”
d) “I didn’t have fun. Can we do something else next time?”

1. A clam
2. Their hands and a bucket
3. They can regrow their arms
4. She chased it away
5. “Today was the best day ever!”

These questions require the reader to make inferences based on the information provided in the story.

1. What did the father and daughter bring with them to the beach?
a) A frisbee and a ball
b) Sunscreen, towels, and a bucket
c) Fishing gear and a net
d) A picnic basket and a blanket

2. What did the little girl do when she saw the clam buried in the sand?
a) She ignored it and kept walking.
b) She screamed and ran away.
c) She called her father over to show him.
d) She tried to dig it out with her hands.

3. Why was the little girl fascinated by the starfish they found on the beach?
a) Because it was a different color than the other starfish she had seen.
b) Because it had an unusual shape and texture.
c) Because it was trying to crawl back to the ocean.
d) Because it was moving its arms in a funny way.

4. How did the little girl help with the sand castle building?
a) By building the structure
b) By collecting shells to decorate the castle
c) By digging a moat around the castle
d) By providing snacks and drinks for the workers

5. Why did the little girl scare away the seagull?
a) Because she wanted to protect the family’s snacks.
b) Because she wanted to make the seagull her pet.
c) Because she was afraid of the seagull.
d) Because she thought it was a funny prank to play on the family.

1. What can we infer from each question
What did the father and daughter bring with them to the beach?
Answer: b) Sunscreen, towels, and a bucket
Inference: The reader can infer that the father and daughter were prepared for a day at the beach and wanted to protect themselves from the sun and have a place to sit and relax.

2. What did the little girl do when she saw the clam buried in the sand?
Answer: c) She called her father over to show him
Inference: The reader can infer that the little girl was excited to share her discovery with her father and wanted to learn more about the clam.

3. Why was the little girl fascinated by the starfish they found on the beach?
Answer: b) Because it had an unusual shape and texture
Inference: The reader can infer that the little girl was curious and interested in the natural world, and found the starfish’s unique appearance and texture fascinating.

4. How did the little girl help with the sand castle building?
Answer: b) By collecting shells to decorate the castle
Inference: The reader can infer that the little girl enjoyed being part of the sand castle-building process and was creative, as she collected shells to use as decorations.

5. Why did the little girl scare away the seagull?
Answer: a) Because she wanted to protect the family’s snacks
Inference: The reader can infer that the little girl had a sense of empathy and was protective of others, as she scared away the seagull to prevent it from stealing the family’s food.

Easy (Recall and Comprehend):

1. What did the father and daughter do when they arrived at the beach?
2. Why did the little girl want to dig out the clam from the sand?
3. How did the little girl help scare away the seagull at the end of the story?
4. What did the father and daughter use to build their sand castle?
5. Why did the little girl say it was the best day ever at the beach?

Intermediate (Analyze and Interpret):

1. How did the father demonstrate his role as a responsible parent during their trip to the beach?
2. Reflecting on the story, what are some ways people can help preserve and protect the beach environment?
3. How did the father encourage his daughter’s curiosity and love for nature during their beach adventure?
4. Discuss the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the story, particularly when the father and daughter built the sand castle together.
5. How can spending time with loved ones in nature create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds?

Advanced (Analyze and Interpret):

1. Analyze the character development of the father and daughter throughout the story. How did their actions and experiences shape their relationship and individual growth?
2. Reflect on the symbolic meaning of the beach in the story. How does it represent more than just a physical location?
3. Explore the environmental themes in the story and discuss the role of individuals in promoting sustainability and conservation efforts at the beach.
4. Analyze the impact of nature on human well-being, as depicted in the story. How does spending time in natural environments contribute to our overall happiness and connection to the world?
5. Reflecting on the story, what broader life lessons can be drawn from the father and daughter’s experiences at the beach? How can these lessons be applied to our own lives?

1. Parent and child: One person can play the role of the parent and the other can play the role of the child. They can act out the scene where the little girl discovers the clam buried in the sand and they can discuss what they found and why it’s important to return it to the water.

2. Beachgoer and park ranger: One person can play the role of a beachgoer and the other can play the role of a park ranger. They can act out a scenario where the beachgoer is doing something that is harmful to the beach or its wildlife, and the park ranger has to educate them on how to properly behave and care for the environment.

3. Lifeguard and swimmer: One person can play the role of a lifeguard and the other can play the role of a swimmer. They can act out a scenario where the swimmer is in distress and needs the lifeguard’s assistance. The lifeguard can demonstrate how to rescue someone from the water and explain the importance of swimming safely.

4. Siblings at the beach: Two people can play the roles of siblings who are spending the day at the beach. They can act out a scenario where they are building a sandcastle together, but have different ideas on how to decorate it. They can discuss how to compromise and work together to create something they both like.

5. Beach vendors and customers: One person can play the role of a vendor selling beach supplies, and the other can play the role of a customer looking to buy something. They can act out a scenario where the customer wants to buy something that is harmful to the environment, and the vendor can educate them on more eco-friendly options. They can discuss the importance of being mindful of the impact we have on the environment

These post-listening activities add visual (seeing), auditory (listening), kinesthetic (moving), and tactile (touching) elements to engage students in meaningful ways based on their learning styles.

Visual (Seeing):

1. Create a Storyboard: Have students create a visual storyboard that depicts the key events and important moments in the story. They can draw illustrations and write captions to accompany each scene.

2. Design a Beach Poster: Ask students to design a colorful and eye-catching poster that promotes the beach as a fun and educational destination. They can include images, key phrases, and important safety reminders.

Auditory (Listening):

1. Podcast Interview: Have students work in pairs or small groups to create a podcast-style interview. One student can take on the role of the interviewer, asking questions about the story, while the other student plays the role of the father or daughter, responding with their thoughts and feelings about their beach adventure.

2. Radio Drama: Divide the class into groups and assign each group a specific scene from the story. Instruct them to create a radio drama adaptation of their assigned scene, using only sound effects and dialogue. They can perform their radio dramas for the class.

Kinesthetic (Moving):

1. Beach Charades: Write down various actions or beach-related words on separate slips of paper. Have students take turns picking a slip and acting out the word or action while others guess what it is. This activity encourages physical movement and imagination.

2. Sand Castle Building: Set up a small sand table or provide play-dough for students to create their own sand castles. Encourage them to use their hands to mold and shape the sand or play-dough, bringing the beach experience to life through tactile and kinesthetic engagement.

Tactile (Touching):

1. Sensory Bin Exploration: Create a sensory bin filled with sand, seashells, small toys, and other objects related to the beach. Allow students to explore and touch the items in the bin while discussing their favorite parts of the story or describing the different objects they encounter.

2. Seashell Sorting: Provide students with a collection of seashells and challenge them to sort the shells based on different criteria, such as size, shape, color, or texture. This activity engages their sense of touch and encourages critical thinking and classification skills.