| 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 | MLA |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 9 |
| 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 |
MLA Formatting
Grade 9
English
30 minutes
20 students
This lesson aligns with the Canadian English Language Arts Curriculum for Grade 9, focusing on writing and representing, specifically in the area of citation and referencing.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length (minutes) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 5 | Briefly introduce MLA formatting and its relevance in academic work. Discuss key elements such as in-text citations and works cited page. |
| 2 | Checking Homework | 5 | Go through the homework from the previous lesson, reviewing answers without individual student presentations. Collect assignments to provide feedback later. |
| 3 | Explanation of MLA Format | 5 | Present the main components of MLA format (e.g., header, in-text citations). Use the projector/whiteboard for visual examples. |
| 4 | Hands-On Activity: Printable Cards | 10 | Distribute printable cards to students. Instruct them to fill in the elements of MLA formatting based on a given text or scenario. Circulate to assist. |
| 5 | Collecting/Checking Cards | 3 | Randomly collect or check the filled cards to assess understanding. Provide immediate feedback on common mistakes or points of confusion. |
| 6 | Assigning Homework | 2 | Assign homework related to creating a full MLA citation page. Explain the expectations clearly. |
| 7 | Conclusion and Q&A | 2 | Summarize key points of MLA formatting. Allow time for any questions or clarifications related to the lesson. |
"Good morning, class! Today, we’re diving into the topic of MLA formatting. Can anyone tell me why proper formatting might be important in academic writing? [Pause for responses.] Great points! MLA formatting helps us give proper credit to sources, enhances our credibility as writers, and makes our work easier for others to read.
We'll specifically look at in-text citations and the works cited page today. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a clear understanding of MLA formatting and how to apply it in your own writing."
"Before we jump into the new material, let’s take a moment to review your homework from our last lesson. [Read through a couple of the homework questions, inviting responses from the class.] Remember, I’ll collect your assignments later, so make sure they’re ready.
If there are any common misconceptions, I’ll provide feedback once I've reviewed all your submissions."
"Now, let’s discuss the main components of MLA format. I’ll be using the whiteboard/projector to show you a few key elements.
First, we have the header, which includes your last name and the page number at the top right of your paper. Next, in-text citations are essential for acknowledging the sources you reference in your writing. For example, if you quote from a book, you’ll need to include the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses like this: (Smith 23).
Finally, there’s the works cited page at the end of your document. This is where you list all sources used in your paper, formatted according to MLA guidelines. Any questions so far? [Pause for questions and clarify as needed.] Great, let’s move on!"
"Now it’s time for some hands-on practice! I’ll be handing out printable cards that contain elements of MLA formatting. Your task is to fill in these elements based on the given scenario.
Work in pairs to discuss how you would format a citation for the text provided. I’ll be walking around to assist if you have any questions. Make sure to think critically about each part of the formatting! Let's take about 10 minutes for this activity. Ready? Go!"
"Time's up! Please pass your cards to the front. I’ll take a moment to review a few randomly and provide feedback on common errors or areas of confusion I noticed in your work.
For instance, if someone forgot to include the publication date or used the wrong order of information, I’ll highlight these so we can learn from them together. [Provide feedback.] Thank you for your hard work on this!"
"For homework, I’d like you to create a full MLA citation page using at least three sources that you’ve used in your writing. Make sure to follow the MLA formatting guidelines we discussed today.
You will submit this assignment next class, and it will be part of your overall assessment on MLA formatting. Are there any questions about the homework expectations?"
"As we wrap up our lesson today, let’s summarize the key points we’ve covered: the importance of MLA formatting, the components like the header, in-text citations, and the works cited page.
Does anyone have any questions or need further clarification on what we discussed? [Pause for questions.] If you think of something later, feel free to reach out. Great job today, and I’ll see you in our next class!"
Explain why proper MLA formatting is significant in academic writing. Provide at least three reasons.
What information is included in the header of an MLA-formatted paper?
When you quote a source in your writing, what information must you include in an in-text citation? Give an example using a fictional author and page number.
Describe the format of a Works Cited page in MLA styling. What elements should be included for each source?
Create a full MLA citation for an online article you have accessed. Include the following information: author, title of the article, website name, publication date, and the date you accessed it.
For the following text, create an in-text citation: “The importance of citing sources cannot be overstated” (Johnson, 45).
Choose a fictional book and list how you would cite it in your Works Cited page. Include the author’s name, title of the book, publisher, and year of publication.
If your paper includes two different sources by the same author, how do you format the in-text citations to differentiate between them? Give an example.
Why is it important to keep track of your sources while conducting research, especially in the context of MLA formatting?
Reflect on today’s lesson: What aspect of MLA formatting do you find most challenging, and how do you plan to improve your understanding of it?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why is proper formatting important in academic writing? | |
| What are the main components of MLA format? | |
| How should the header be formatted in an MLA paper? | |
| What is included in an in-text citation in MLA format? | |
| What is the purpose of the works cited page in MLA format? | |
| Can you provide an example of an in-text citation using a book source? | |
| What details should be included in a full MLA citation? | |
| How many sources are you required to use in the homework assignment? | |
| What common errors should you be aware of when formatting in MLA style? | |
| How do you format the publication date for a source in MLA? |