Emily Reverman

Cultural Lesson Plan

Overview of Lesson:
Subject: Writing, Thanksgiving
Grade: 3rd
Number of students: 27
Length of lesson: 45 minutes
Learning goals:
The purpose of this lesson is for students to practice problem solving skills by using
their knowledge of persuasive writing.
Rationale:
This lesson is important because it gives students another way to practice persuasive
writing. Students will be able to think creatively and given the opportunity to practice
problem solving skills.
Objectives: After this lesson, students will be able to write a persuasive essay from the
point of view of a turkey. They will include a claim, at least two reasons, two examples,
and a restated claim
Standards:
Writing Standards:
Text and Purposes:
1. Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with
reasons. a. Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and
create an organizational structure that lists reasons. b. Provide reasons that support the
opinion. c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example)
to connect opinion and reasons. d. Provide a concluding statement or section.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
8. Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital
sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.
Range of Writing:

10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and
revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of
discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Grouping:
The students will be at their seats for the whole group lesson. Students will then be
working at their seat individually.
Teacher Preparation:
The teacher will need to make copies of the necessary materials.
Materials:
Whats for dinner? writing prompt
Graphic organizer
Final paper for students to write on
Differentiation:
If students are not able to write a persuasive paper from the view of the turkey, they will
write to persuade their parents to allow them to eat something else for Thanksgiving
dinner.
I will work with our English Language Learners to make sure that they understand the
meaning of all the words used during my lesson.
Assessments:
Formative: I will informally observe students throughout the lesson during our
discussion and by asking questions.
Summative: At the end of the lesson, students will turn in their paper and I will be
able to check to see if they included a claim, at least two reasons, two examples, and a
restated claim in their writing.
Instructional Sequence:
1. Watch video about Thanksgiving. Students will then have an opportunity to share
their Thanksgiving traditions with the class.
2. We have been practicing persuasive writing in writing class the past few weeks. We
are going to do that today, but in a different way! We are going to write like we are the
turkey. If you were a turkey, what might you be thinking about around Thanksgiving
time?
A turkey would be worried, scared, etc
3. If you were a scared turkey, what might you do around this time of year?

 run away, write a letter to a farmer

4. If I was a turkey, I would try to persuade the humans not to eat me! How could I do
that?
tell them that I taste bad, suggest something else that they could eat
5. Read writing prompt Whats for dinner?
6. You are going to persuade the humans not to eat you by suggesting what else that
they could eat instead and using other persuasive writing skills. You will need to include
a claim, two reasons with examples, and to restate your claim at the end.
7. Allow students to brainstorm with their neighbors and to work with a partner to fill out
the graphic organizer.
8. Give students time to write and share stories at the end of their is time.

Reflection:
I thought that this lesson went really well! We had some great discussions about our
Thanksgiving traditions. The students talked about what they do with their families. I
love that this was a fun activity that was tied to exactly what we are doing in writing to
reinforce what we have already learned. The students were able to practice skills in a
different way. The students enjoyed this lesson and I enjoyed reading their letters. I
would change this in the future by possibly reading a story about a turkey so that the
students would have a better idea of a turkeys feelings on Thanksgiving. I would also
like to allow more time for this lesson in the future.