Full lesson	Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle}
Which subject	English
What topic	Long way down
What length (min)	30
What age group	Doesn't matter
Class size	20
What curriculum
Include full script
Check previous homework
Ask some students to presents their homework
Add a physical break
Add group activities
Include homework
Show correct answers
Prepare slide templates
Number of slides	5
Create fill-in cards for students
Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments

Lesson plan

Lesson Plan: Long Way Down

Topic

Long Way Down

Grade/Age Group

Flexible (appropriate for middle school or high school students)

Subject

English

Objectives

• Students will understand the key themes and messages in the poem "Long Way Down."
• Students will analyze characters and their motivations.
• Students will reflect on personal connections to the poem’s themes.
• Students will engage in discussion and written responses to deepen their understanding.

Materials

• Copies of the poem "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds
• Whiteboard and markers
• Notebooks or digital devices for note-taking
• Discussion questions handout
• Graphic organizers for character analysis

Class Size

20 students

Time Length

30 minutes

National Curriculum Alignment

This lesson meets the standards for analyzing literature, understanding themes, and developing critical thinking skills.

Lesson Structure

Step Number	Step Title	Length	Details
1	Introduction	5 mins	Briefly introduce the poet and the poem; discuss initial thoughts.
2	Reading the Poem	10 mins	Read the poem aloud; encourage students to follow along and annotate.
3	Group Discussion	5 mins	Facilitate a discussion on first impressions and themes; use guiding questions.
4	Character Analysis	5 mins	Distribute graphic organizers; students work on identifying character motivations.
5	Reflection Writing	5 mins	Students write a short paragraph on how the poem connects to their own experiences.
6	Homework Explanation	2 mins	Explain homework assignment: additional reflection questions to complete.
7	Conclusion	3 mins	Recap key points discussed and remind students of homework expectations.

Homework

• Students will complete a reflection worksheet with specific questions related to the themes of "Long Way Down."
• Submit the homework in written form, with no requirement to present in front of the class.

Assessment

• Monitor participation during discussions.
• Review the written reflections to assess understanding of themes and personal connections.

Additional Notes

• Be mindful of diverse student backgrounds; allow space for sharing while respecting privacy.
• Adapt discussions to ensure all voices are heard and included.

Lesson script