Lesson Plan~The Academy for Technology & the Classics~Cultivating Fearless Learners

Instructors name:
Ayers

Course/Grade:
Grade 10 English II

Week of:

Unit Name:

05/04 05/08

Legal Alien The intersection of race, rhyme, hip-hop and

poetry

(1A)*Essential

Question(s):
What is the social role of the modern musician? How is
it similar to that of a professional writer? How is it
different? What does it mean to be an alien? How can
a human being be illegal?
(1A) Common Core/State Standards:

Connections (prior/future learning):

Students will connect with their past experience analyzing
literature, and they will reference their own knowledge of
popular music.
(1A/1B)

RL.9-10; W.9-10; SL.910

(1E) Other considerations (modifications,
(1D) Resources/Materials:
accommodations, acceleration, ELL, etc.
Video and lyrics: Legal Alien by Freestyle Fellowship
All accommodations and modifications indicated in
student IEPs will be followed. Any needs of ELL
Computers for research
students (modification of assignment length,
modification of assignment complexity, modification of
Novel: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
source reading, etc.) will be implemented.
(1F) Assessment (How will you monitor progress and know students have successfully met outcomes? What happens
when students understand and when they dont understand?
Daily: direct observation
This Week: direct observation/lyrics analysis/song (written and performed)/Socratic dialogue
Lesson activities for instructor and students, (1F)
Embedded Formative Assessment,
(1B)

MONDAY
(1C) Learning Target: Students will understand the
literary value of popular song lyrics. They will show
their learning through oral discussion and written
analysis.
Do Now: What does it mean to be an alien? How
can a human being be called illegal?
(1C)

TUESDAY
(1C) Learning Target: Students will understand the
literary value of popular song lyrics. They will show
their learning through oral discussion and written
analysis.
Do Now: Name a song you enjoy that has powerful
lyrics. What is the song about? Why do you like it?
(1C)

(1F)Embedded Formative Assessment: Oral

discussion/written analysis
(1B)Closing Activity: As a whole class, we will discuss
what we learned today and how we will use these skills
in the future.

(1F)Embedded Formative Assessment: Oral

discussion/written analysis
(1B)Closing Activity: As a whole class, we will discuss
what we learned today and how we will use these skills
in the future.

WEDNESDAY

DUE: written analysis for Legal Alien

(song) and song of students choice
Learning Target: Students will learn to express
complex concepts in verse, utilizing rhythm, rhyme and
lyrical content. They will show their learning by
creating original song lyrics.
(1C)

(1F)Embedded Formative Assessment: written song lyrics

(1B)Closing Activity: As a whole class, we will discuss
what we learned today and how we will use these skills
in the future.

Do Now: What did you learn in the last two days

about what makes a good song? What would you like
your own song to sound like in terms of rhythm, rhyme
and lyrical content?
(1C)

THURSDAY
(1C) Learning Target: Students will learn to express
complex concepts in verse, utilizing rhythm, rhyme and
lyrical content. They will show their learning by creating
original song lyrics.

(1F)Embedded Formative Assessment: written song lyrics

(1B)Closing Activity: As a whole class, we will discuss
what we learned today and how we will use these skills
in the future.

Do Now: Having started your song, what is going

well? What would you like to include that you have not
included yet?
FRIDAY
(1C)

DUE: original songs

Learning Target: Students will improve their skills in
speaking and listening. They will show their learning by
participating in a Socratic dialogue.
(1C)

Do Now: Please take out your notes, text and

opening question, and prepare to share your opening
question with the class.
(1C)

Learning Target: Students will improve their skills in

speaking and listening. They will show their learning by
participating in a Socratic dialogue.
(1C)

Do Now: Please take out your notes, text and opening

question, and prepare to share your opening question
with the class.
(1C)

This dialogue will cover our current reading in The

Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

*Refers to NMTEACH Rubric:

1A-Demonstrating knowledge of content
1B-Designing coherent instruction
1C-Setting Instructional outcomes
1D-Demonstrating knowledge of resources
1E-Demonstrating knowledge of students
1F-Designing student assessment

Formative Assessment includes, but is not limited to:

Exit tickets, white board response, consensagrams, red/green cards, formal or
informal student conferences, sticky note assessment.