Lesson Plan Template

OBJECTIVE CONNECTION TO ACHIEVEMENT GOAL

What will your students be able to do?
**CURRENT EVENTS/OPINION WRITING
LESSON***
SWBAT understand the words “refugee”, ‘ban’,
“executive order’, and other key vocabulary words
in context
SWBAT complete an opinion writing planning
worksheet (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.1)
SWBAT learn about the travel ban and what that
means for refugees. They will then plan an opinion
writing piece on what they think the solution should
be.
SWBAT respectfully discuss teammates opinions
on the topic ( CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1)
PRE-PLANNING
How does the objective connect to your
achievement goal?
My goal is for all students to move at least 5
reading a-z levels by the end of the school year.
Synthesizing information from previously read
texts with the current events article, as well as
practice with opinion writing will help students to
achieve this goal.
Commented [MD1]: Admittedly, my lesson has A LOT of
objectives. I have allowed time for this lesson to take two
days if necessary. I also want to allow time for students to
have authentic, thoughtful conversations. When planning
this lesson I was trying to choose something that is currently
relevant, and would allow for our current unit on opinion
writing. I also recognized that this lesson would require pre-
teaching so my students (primarily Chinese, living in China)
would have a greater understanding of what it means to be a
democratic citizens, and the rights U.S. citizens have.
Commented [MD2]: I adapted this idea from the “Voice
Your Opinion” idea listed in “Twenty-Five Great Ideas For
Teaching Current Events” on
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson072.s
html. The reason I chose to adapt the plan from voicing an
opinion to writing an opinion is because we are currently in

the middle of an opinion writing unit. I thought this would

PREREQUISITE SKILLS DIAGNOSTIC be a great way to both learn about a controversial current
What will your students need to know to master the How will you assess students’ mastery of these event and practice our writing skills. This is almost
grade-level objective? foundational skills? important for students learning how to use their voice and
-Anecdotal notes/observations when pre- advocate for others
-Students must be able to complete an opinion questioning (turn and tell your partner what
writing planning sheet independently “refugee” means, How do refugees live?”
-Student should be able to understand the word -Review students previously turned in opinion
refugees and have some background knowledge of writing planning sheet Commented [MD3]: This week we have been reading
the life of the refugee -Earlier in the week we will watch “What is A different picture books about refugees. I wanted my students
-Students must have background knowledge on Refugee” found at timeforkids.com, as well as to have some understanding of refugees, and living in a
refugee camp before our discussion.
what it means to be a good citizen read “Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost
-Students will have some background knowledge Boys of Sudan” by Mary Williams, as well as
on refugees “Four Feet, Two Sandals” by Karen Lynn
Williams and Khandra Mohammad. Commented [MD4]: While not included in this lesson, this
ASSESSMENT method aligns to Instructional Focus 3: Method 2. I chose
to read the stories prior to this lesson to give students more
How will you know whether your students have made progress toward the objective? How and when
content on the topic, as well as stories accessible to their
will you assess mastery? current developmental stages.
I will formally assess mastery through their completed opinion writing planning worksheet.
I will informally assess mastery through anecdotal observations during class discussion time.

KEY POINTS
What three to five key points will you emphasize?
-Opinion writing tries to convince a reader of an opinion or belief
-We can use opinion writing to inform others of current events
-Current events help us to stay informed about what is happening in the world around us

Johns Hopkins University School of Education

Lesson Plan Template 1
 OPENING (5 min.) MATERIALS
How will you communicate what is about to happen?
How will you communicate how it will happen?
How will you communicate its importance?
How will you communicate connections to previous lessons?
How will you engage students and capture their interest?
“Raise your hand if you plan to go to high school or college in a country other than Copies of Commented [MD5]: This is a very ambitious lesson, but I
China? (elicit student response) Now imagine you went home for Chinese New Year books and am curious to see how my students handle the content. I
and you couldn’t get back to school. How would that make you feel? Today we are articles read choose to start with this question as many of my students
plan to study abroad. This was a way for my students to
going to learn about a situation that is keeping some people from coming into America, earlier in the connect with the content on a deeper level. This also allowed
and then we will write about our opinion on the situation.” week for students to see the inequity of opportunities those living
in a refugee camp experience.
This week we have been learning about people in different places and in different Opinion
circumstances. We have also been working on our opinion writing, and talking about writing
what it means to be a good citizen. Wow! That’s a lot! Today we are going to be able anchor chart
to put it all together! Today we are going to read an article about things that are
currently happening in the United States. We are going to use what we learned about “What is a
from the books and articles we read earlier this week to form our opinion. ” refugee?”
video from
LESSON CYCLE

At this time briefly review the books and articles read earlier in the week, as well as the TIME for
opinion writing anchor chart. kids
Before we read this article I want to think about what we have learned about in regards
to being a good citizen. Who can tell me a few ways to be a good citizen? (list ways on
white board).
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MATERIAL (15 min.)
What key points will you emphasize and reiterate?
How will you ensure that students actively take in information?
How will you vary your approach to make information accessible to all students?
Which potential misunderstandings will you anticipate?
Why will students be engaged/interested?
Give each student a copy of the NewsELA article. Read text allowed together allowing NewsELA
time for questions/clarifications. article
During the reading take time to go over key vocabulary words and democratic rights.

Vocabulary words to cover: Executive order, refugee, policy, protest, visa Commented [MD6]: During this time my co-teacher, who
is fluent in Mandarin and from Chengdu, will provide
translations and explanations in Chinese as needed. of the
US government and how it works. Taking the time to
GUIDED PRACTICE (10 min.) explain the more difficult vocabulary will also help my
How will you clearly state and model behavioral expectations? students to better understand the content.
How will you ensure that all students have multiple opportunities to practice?
How will you scaffold practice exercises from easy to hard?
How will you monitor and correct student performance?
Why will students be engaged/interested?

Johns Hopkins University School of Education

Lesson Plan Template 2
 “Before we share out as a class, I want you to take a minute to think about the ban and Previously
what we know about being a good citizen” (have students list way to be a good citizen, filled in
connect it to be a good citizen of our classroom) opinion
writing
“We have learned that in the U.S. one of the most important rights is freedom of planning
speech. As citizens in this classroom we are going to exercise that right, and articulate sheet
what we think about the ban.”

“Let’s review our completed opinion writing planning sheet from Monday. This will help
us remember how to plan for opinion writing.”

***Review opinion planning sheet and key aspects of the sheet.

“Now, before you go to fill in your new sheet, let’s practice articulating what we think”

**Have students complete a ‘turn-and-talk’ to practice sharing their opinion with

teammates. Before beginning the turn-and-talk review turn-and-talk expectations and
answer any questions students may have about the assignment.

After turn and talk is complete have a few students share their opinion, providing
feedback when appropriate.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE (20 min.)

How will you clearly state and model behavioral expectations?
In what ways will students attempt to demonstrate independent mastery of the
objective?
How will you provide opportunities for extension?
Why will students be engaged/interested?
Blank
“Students, now it is time for you to show what you know! You will complete your own opinion
opinion-planning sheet on whether to let refugees into the country! Remember, this is planning
your time to show what you know so please work individually at a level zero.” sheet

***Model for students again how to complete their opinion-planning sheet. Remind Copies of
students to use complete sentences, thoughts, and conventions. Take note of who may texts read
need re-teaching in a small group. this week
available for
student
reference
CLOSING (20 min.)
How will students summarize what they learned?
How will students be asked to state the significance of what they learned?
How will you provide all students with opportunities to demonstrate mastery of (or
progress toward) the objective?
Why will students be engaged/interested?

Johns Hopkins University School of Education

Lesson Plan Template 3
 “Wow! You all worked so hard to complete your opinion planning worksheet! You
included many key details and reasons that will help support your writing. Now you will
have a chance share with your class what you wrote!”

At this time have students share their completed opinion planning worksheet with the
class. Allow students to respond to each other’s opinion respectfully after each student Commented [MD7]: We have been working on how to
shares. If needed review the objective and key details. Continue to work on this respond respectfully to each other, whether we agree or
opinion writing for the rest of the week and/or into next week if time allows. disagree.

Johns Hopkins University School of Education

Lesson Plan Template 4