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Lesson Plan for Inspiration 8.0
Introduction: This lesson is created for an 11^th and 12^th grade mixed course. The name of the particular course is African Literature and is an elective that upperclassmen chose to satisfy English/Language Arts credits. The materials and concepts taught in this course revolve around literature written by African authors. Along with texts, many of the ideals, cultural mores and history of Africa is a big focal point of the course. This particular lesson is aimed at garnering a better understanding of the first chapter of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. This would be the first text we tackled as a class and an understanding of some of the more difficult vocabulary is necessary in order to grasp the more complex ideas embedded in the novel. However, studying vocabulary is usually a “low point” and “unattractive” lesson/activity for students, so including some technology is a great way to keep students engaged in the text. Inspiration 8.0 offers students a way to study vocabulary using charts, diagrams, images, sounds and a variety of sources that are limited to a simple dictionary. This lesson serves to provide students with a way to interactively explore words they did not previously know the meaning of. Objectives: Students will create an organizer that examines the history, meaning and derivation of 5 distinct vocabulary terms. Students will explore vocabulary in order to extend understanding of Things Fall Apart. Standards: 1.1 Students use appropriate strategies before, during and after reading in order to construct meaning. 3.2 Students prepare, publish and/or present work appropriate to audience, purpose and task. Instructional Materials: Things Fall Apart (text) Computers (26 working and with internet access) Post-its with notes from previous night’s reading/work Pens/Pencils Copies of Assignment White-lined paper Scrap Paper Inspiration 8.0 on computers *Picture adopted from unc.edu Lesson Sequence: *Students were previously instructed to meet in the computer lab for lesson. *Objectives are written on the board. 1. Warm-up – Students will be instructed to complete the brief “free-write” with the prompt written on the whiteboard towards the front of the room. Prompt: “What are your first reactions to vocabulary words? What do you usually do when you come across a word that you do not recognize or understand?” 2. Briefly discuss students’ responses to vocabulary warm-up. Teacher will segue into the day’s assignment and agenda. 3. Students will be asked to take out their copy of Things Fall Apart and take out their post-its or notes. Teacher will ask a few students to offer examples of words they found and did not know or understand the meaning. 4. Explanation of Assignment: Teacher will hand out assignment (sheet attached) and will explain directions orally. 5. Brief Guided Practice – Using the word: “harmattan” the teacher will show students how to find information and input it in the TEMPLATE chosen. Questions and clarification time will occur at this time. 6. Independent Practice – Students will have the majority of the period to choose their individual vocabulary terms and review, research and input them in the vocabulary chart. *Teacher will be walking around and monitoring students’ progress throughout the period. 7. Closure – Quick Oral Survey: “How many people found out that a word they looked up was totally different than what they had originally thought?” Teacher will count. Will two volunteers (that have not spoken yet) please tell me two words they chose and a synonym that matched it? 8. Homework: Explanation of brief response paper and upcoming reading assignment. Evaluation/Assessment: Students will be assessed on the following criteria: Homework Completion Participation during initial warm-up discussion and closure discussion Completion and Accuracy of FINAL WORD WEB (with extra credit given for creativity and utilization of software) Homework that synthesizes the work we did in class today and the reading will be assessed the following day (first by peers then by teacher).
Homepage | Review of Inspiration 8.0 | Lesson Assignment | Lesson Homework Last Revised: June 12, 2008 | © C. Moffett | email: cmoffett@sjc.edu