Course Plan: English for Year 1
Topic: Malala's Magic Pencil
Overview
This course consists of 10 lessons designed to introduce Grade 1 students to the story of "Malala's Magic Pencil." The lessons will cover reading comprehension, vocabulary development, creative expression, and understanding of themes related to kindness, education, and bravery.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Malala
Objectives
- To learn who Malala is and her importance.
- To introduce the concept of a "magic pencil."
Activities
- Read a brief biography of Malala.
- Discuss what students think a magic pencil could do.
Lesson 2: Understanding the Story
Objectives
- To introduce "Malala's Magic Pencil."
- To explore the cover and illustrations.
Activities
- Show the book cover and illustrations.
- Ask students to predict what the story might be about based on the title and pictures.
Lesson 3: Reading the Story
Objectives
- To read "Malala's Magic Pencil" aloud to students.
Activities
- Teacher reads the book with enthusiasm.
- Ask students to listen carefully for details.
Lesson 4: First Reading Comprehension Activity
Objectives
- To assess understanding of the story.
Activities
- Ask questions about the story, such as:
- What did Malala wish for with her magic pencil?
- How did she help others?
- Use visual aids for students to express their answers.
Lesson 5: Vocabulary Development
Objectives
- To learn new vocabulary from the story.
Activities
- Identify important words from the story (e.g., "education," "bravery," "dream").
- Create a word wall with definitions and illustrations.
Lesson 6: Second Reading Comprehension Activity
Objectives
- To deepen understanding and critical thinking.
Activities
- Students work in pairs to answer comprehension questions that focus on inference, such as:
- Why was the magic pencil important to Malala?
- How did her dreams help her community?
Lesson 7: Creative Expression
Objectives
- To express personal thoughts inspired by the story.
Activities
- Have students draw their version of a magic pencil.
- Ask them to write a sentence about what they would do with it.
Lesson 8: Themes and Messages
Objectives
- To discuss the main themes of the story.
Activities
- Group discussion on kindness, education, and bravery.
- Create a class chart with positive actions inspired by Malala.
Lesson 9: Role Play
Objectives
- To engage students in understanding character emotions and actions.
Activities
- In groups, students will act out scenes from the story.
- Encourage them to express feelings and motivations of the characters.
Lesson 10: Reflection and Summary
Objectives
- To summarise key points from the course.
Activities
- Ask students to share what they learned about Malala and her magic pencil.
- Have students draw a picture of what education means to them, inspired by the story, and present it to the class.
Assessment
- Continuous assessment through participation, artwork, and discussion contributions.
- A final assessment will be based on the comprehension activities and creative expressions.
Resources Needed
- Copies of "Malala's Magic Pencil"
- Art supplies (colouring pencils, paper, markers)
- Word wall materials
- Visual and audio aids for teaching
This course aims to instil a sense of identity, understanding, and participation in a global narrative while developing essential English skills.