- I can reflect in writing about my thoughts and feelings after reading "My Sky." (W.4.10)
- I can describe what inspired Jack to write the poem "My Sky." (RL.4.1, RL.4.3)
- I can show empathy and compassion for my classmates during a discussion of "My Sky." (SL.4.1)
These are the CCS Standards addressed in this lesson:
- RL.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
- RL.4.3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
- W.4.10: 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.
- SL.4.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Daily Learning Targets
Ongoing Assessment
- What Inspires Poets to Write Poetry? note-catcher (RL.4.1, RL.4.3)
Agenda
Agenda | Teaching Notes |
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1. Opening A. Reviewing Learning Targets (10 minutes) 2. Work Time A. Preparing to Read: Writing and Emotion (10 minutes) B. Reading and Reflection: The Emotional Impact of "My Sky" (15 minutes) C. Rereading and Discussion: What Inspired Jack to Write "My Sky"? (15 minutes) 3. Closing and Assessment A. Reflecting on Learning (10 minutes) 4. Homework A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal. B. Optional: Think of a time you experienced a strong feeling such as happiness, sadness, anger, or another emotion. Write a poem about this experience in the "My Poems" section of your poetry journal (from Unit 1, Lesson 1). |
Purpose of lesson and alignment to standards:
How it builds on previous work:
Areas in which students may need additional support:
Assessment guidance:
Down the road:
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In Advance
- Review the Thumb-O-Meter protocol. See Classroom Protocols.
- Post: Learning targets, Working to Become Ethical People anchor chart, and Discussion Norms anchor chart.
Tech and Multimedia
- Work Time B: For students who will benefit from hearing the text read aloud multiple times, consider using a text-to-speech tool such as Natural Reader, SpeakIt! for Google Chrome, or the Safari reader. Note that to use a web-based text-to-speech tool such as SpeakIt! or Safari reader, you will need to create an online doc, such as a Google Doc, containing the text.
- Work Time C: Students complete note-catchers using word-processing software--for example, a Google Doc--using Speech to Text facilities activated on devices, or using an app or software such as Dictation.io.
Supporting English Language Learners
Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards 4.I.A.1, 4.I.A.4, 4.I.B.5, 4.I.B.6, and 4.I.B.7
Important points in the lesson itself
- The basic design of this lesson supports ELLs by establishing a safe environment for reading and discussing a particularly emotional text and allowing students to reflect silently and to process their feelings through writing. This lesson also continues the analysis of what inspires Jack to write poetry.
- ELLs may find it difficult or uncomfortable to discuss powerful emotions because of traumatic or painful experiences, such as having to leave a family member behind in their home countries. In addition, it is important to be aware that expressing powerful emotions may be inappropriate in some cultures. Be sensitive to the emotional needs of students and consider checking in with students individually before and during the lesson.
Levels of support
For lighter support:
- During Work Time B, challenge students to generate questions about the key chunk from "My Sky" before asking the prepared questions. Example: "What questions can we ask about this chunk? Let's see if we can answer them together."
For heavier support:
- During Work Time A, prepare sticky notes with pre-written words or drawings based on the gist of different sections of "My Sky." As students listen to the poem, they can match the gist represented on the sticky notes with each section of the poem.
- During Work Time C, copy "My Sky" and display it side by side with the "The Tiger" and "Love That Boy" from Unit 1. Invite students to draw lines to show the similarities between the three poems. Invite them to use contrasting colors to underline portions that are different.
Universal Design for Learning
- Multiples Means of Representation (MMR): This lesson focuses on emotion as it is expressed through poetry. Some students may need additional support with recognizing social norms around emotional expression. Provide multiple representations of emotion to help students visualize the emotion (e.g., provide images, video clips, or text examples of various emotional responses or create scenarios for students to act out that require showing empathy or compassion).
- Multiples Means of Action and Expression (MMAE): After reading "My Sky," students are asked to describe what they are thinking and feeling. In the body of this lesson, this is written as a general statement. Consider breaking down this task into less complex components by selecting specific quotes that students can respond to from the poem. Ask targeted questions or provide sentence starters (Examples: "How does this line make you feel?" or "This line makes me think _____.")
- Multiples Means of Engagement (MME): Build engagement around poetry by reminding students that poetry is a way to make sense of emotions--even ones that are painful. It also helps us understand how others are feeling and become more empathetic and compassionate people. This is one of the special powers of poetry and why it is an important form of written expression.
Vocabulary
Key: Lesson-Specific Vocabulary (L); Text-Specific Vocabulary (T); Vocabulary Used in Writing (W)
- reflect, empathy, compassion, inspire (L)
Materials
- Working to Become Ethical People anchor chart (begun in Unit 1, Lesson 2; added to during Opening)
- Working to Become Ethical People anchor chart (example, for teacher reference)
- Paper (blank; one piece per pair)
- Love That Dog (from Unit 1, Lesson 2; one per student)
- What Inspires Poets to Write Poetry? note-catcher (from Unit 1, Lesson 10; one per student and one to display)
- What Inspires Poets to Write Poetry? note-catcher (example, for teacher reference)
- Discussion Norms anchor chart (begun in Unit 1, Lesson 1)
Materials from Previous Lessons
New Materials
Assessment
Each unit in the 3-5 Language Arts Curriculum has two standards-based assessments built in, one mid-unit assessment and one end of unit assessment. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize their understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.
Opening
Opening | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Reviewing Learning Targets (10 minutes)
"I can reflect in writing about my thoughts and feelings after reading 'My Sky.'" "I can describe what inspired Jack to write the poem 'My Sky.'" "I can show empathy and compassion for my classmates during a discussion of 'My Sky.'"
"What does each of these words mean?" (reflect = think deeply or carefully about; empathy = understand and share the feelings of another; compassion = concern for how someone or something else feels)
"Using the anchor chart as a guide, what does empathy mean in your own words?" (understanding and sharing the feelings of another) "What does empathy look like? What might you see when someone is showing empathy?" See Working to Become Ethical People anchor chart (example, for teacher reference). "What does empathy sound like? What might you hear when someone is showing empathy?" See Working to Become Ethical People anchor chart (example, for teacher reference).
"What might this look or sound like?"
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Work Time
Work Time | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Preparing to Read: Writing and Emotion (10 minutes)
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B. Reading and Reflection: The Emotional Impact of "My Sky" (15 minutes)
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"What did I feel after I read this line from the poem?" or "This line made me think _____." Repeat this format with several important lines from the poem. (MMAE)
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C. Rereading and Discussion: What Inspired Jack to Write "My Sky"? (15 minutes)
"Can you say more about that?" (Responses will vary.)
"What inspired Jack to write this poem?" (his dog Sky and reading poems by other poets)
"Where can you see evidence of this in the poem?" (Jack's poem has "blue car blue car splattered with mud," which is similar to a line from "The Tiger"; Jack's poem has "Hey there, son!" which is from "Love That Boy"; Jack's poem is about when his dog was hit by a car.)
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Closing & Assessments
Closing | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Reflecting on Learning (10 minutes)
"How did our class perform overall with this learning target?" (Responses will vary.)
Can you give an example?" (Responses will vary.)
"Is there anything we can add to our Discussion Norms anchor chart to help us remember to respect one another's feelings during discussions in the future?" (Responses will vary; add patterns in student thinking as appropriate.) |
"How did our class perform overall with this learning target?" Rephrase the question. Ask: "What is one way we met this learning target?" "What is something we can do better?" |
Homework
Homework | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal. B. Optional: Think of a time you experienced a strong feeling such as happiness, sadness, anger, or another emotion. Write a poem about this experience in the "My Poems" section of your poetry journal (from Unit 1, Lesson 1). |
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