Sample Lesson Plans
Into the West Literary Elements
Rationale: Students need to learn and understand the literary elements common to all
texts.
Standards: E-5a Student responds to literature. This is a precursor to the response, a
procedure that requires students use an evaluative process to critique an author's work. This assignment reviews and strengthens student understanding of the literary elements that are essential precursors to analysis, interpretation or critique.
Workshop Materials: Reader's Choice Textbook, Literary Elements Worksheet, Into the
West
Opening Meeting: Mini-lesson on literary elements.
- A) Connection: Literary elements are used in all genres and are essential building blocks for good readers.
- B) Concept/Skill/Strategy/Topic to be taught: Literary elements
- C) Guided Practice: Use the worksheet and the textbook to create definitions for the most common and essential literary elements. For most students this should be review, but for some this may be an opportunity to present information in a manner that allows them to gain a previously missing skill.
- D) Link: All texts, including film use literary elements to develop a story.
that describes the role of each literary element; To encourage success and positive recognition of literary elements in a visual medium that will appeal to students; To instruct students on the role of literary elements in the film; To model the process of identification and lead a discussion of the effects of the use of literary devices.
What is my student's role? The student will use the worksheet with definitions to identify
as many literary elements as possible in the segments of the film I show them. Students will participate in the class discussion of elements identified in the clips as well as those they recall from their initial viewing of the film. Students will use appropriate turn taking behavior and act in a respectful manner to one another while contributing to the small group assignment at the end of class.
Closing: Students will work in small groups to discuss and report their findings on the
following prompts.
- A) Evaluate the stance of the filmmaker in his presentation of the subject.
- B) Explain the use of tone in the film.
- C) Explain the effect of point of view in the film.
- D) Identify different themes in the film.
- E) Identify which characters were one-dimensional and which were fully developed.
- F) Create a 250-word summary of the plot.
Osama Filmmaker Effects
Rationale: Some students will respond more readily to "reading" a film than a text if
they have previously had little success as good readers. The same essential skills help to create understanding and encourage readers to see a movie in their minds as they read.
Standards: E-5a Student responds to literature.
Workshop Materials: Filmmaker Effects Worksheet, Osama
Opening Meeting: Mini-lesson on film.
- A) Connection: Cinema has the unique ability to combine auditory and visual stimuli.
- B) Concept/Skill/Strategy/Topic to be taught: Strategies of filmmaking
- C) Guided Practice: Lead the class in completing a worksheet on specific scenes in the movie and identifying how the filmmaker achieved different effect by using different techniques.
- D) Link: Each of the films in this unit can be discussed and analyzed using this method.
understanding of how filmmaker's utilize the same techniques as writers to present a subject. To use the worksheet to discuss questions about setting, and culture. To moderate a class discussion about the film that should lead to broader understandings and comparisons.
What is my student's role? To complete the worksheet on filmmaker effects; To
participate in the class discussion about each of the scenes; To engage in thoughtful and considerate discourse about themes and attempt to make connections between the nations in the unit.
Closing: Students will come to understand how the filmmaker elements, similar to
literary elements, help to reflect the culture that shaped them.
Persuasive Advertisement Lesson Plan
Rationale: Students need to learn successful persuasive techniques so that they will be
better able to recognize and utilize persuasive techniques.
Standards: E-2e Write a persuasive essay. This is a precursor to the essay, a project
designed to begin introducing the elements of a successful persuasive essay such as capturing the reader's attention, expressing a clear voice, addressing an appropriate audience and using a wide range of strategies.
Workshop Materials: Writer's Choice Textbook, Thesaurus, Varied Art Supplies,
Sample Advertisements
Opening Meeting: Mini-lesson on adjectives.
- A) Connection: The media very skillfully manipulate consumers with effective advertising. Students are encouraged to be aware of the methods and techniques that effectively catch the audience's attention. This project will help students identify the rhetoric often employed to sway public opinion on issues of social concern.
- B) Concept/Skill/Strategy/Topic to be taught: Persuasive advertising
- C) Guided Practice: Model some advertisements relating to tobacco, "green" products and child abuse to students to explain criteria for the project.
- D) Link: Individuals create advertisements for the current social issue in America that they have chosen.
model an example of a superb persuasive advertisement. For individuals who appear to have difficulty, making suggestions. Circulate around the room, providing individual assistance and ensuring students are demonstrating "on task" behavior.
What is my student's role? The student will bring ideas, artwork and rhetoric to the table
as they create their advertisements. Students will work cooperatively within a pod of four to assist one another with artwork, editing, language and other aspects of the project. Students will adhere to the rubric that requires the advertisement to appeal to a specific audience, present evidence, have a "catchy" slogan, end with a clear call to action and use precise words with appropriate connotations.
Closing: Students will judge the effectiveness of the presentations and vote, which one
was most compelling, and discuss what elements made it a success.
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