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	CER written response giraffes closest cousin science standard about inherited traits
What length (min)	30
What age group	Year or Grade 4
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: CER Written Response - Giraffes' Closest Cousin

Subject

English

Topic

CER Written Response: Giraffes' Closest Cousin - Inherited Traits

Grade Level

Grade 4

Duration

30 minutes

Class Size

20 students

Objectives

Students will understand the concept of inherited traits.
Students will be able to frame a Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) written response.
Students will write a cohesive CER response regarding the connection between giraffes and their closest cousins.

Materials

Chart paper or whiteboard for definitions
Markers or dry-erase markers
Writing paper
Example texts regarding giraffes and vertebrates
Visual aids (images of giraffes and their closest relatives)
Rubric for assessing CER responses

National Curriculum Standards

This lesson corresponds to the English Language Arts standards for writing arguments and providing evidence to support those arguments.

Lesson Structure

Step Number	Step Title	Length	Details
1	Introduction to Inherited Traits	5 mins	Introduce the concept of inherited traits. Discuss examples within animals, including giraffes.
2	Introduction to CER	5 mins	Explain the CER framework. Define Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. Provide examples related to giraffes.
3	Group Activity	10 mins	In small groups, students will collaborate to formulate a Claim about why giraffes are related to their closest cousins, using evidence from provided texts.
4	Individual Writing	5 mins	Students will individually write their CER response, using their group's claim and evidence. Encourage students to articulate their reasoning clearly.
5	Peer Review	3 mins	Pair students to exchange their written responses for peer feedback, focusing on clarity and effectiveness of the CER structure.
6	Conclusion and Wrap-up	2 mins	Regroup as a class. Highlight key takeaways from the lesson. Close with a discussion of what the students learned about inherited traits and writing effectively.

Homework

Students will revise their CER written response based on peer feedback and submit it in the next class.
Teacher will check homework privately without presenting to the class.

Assessment

Use the provided rubric to evaluate students' CER responses, focusing on clarity of the claim, relevance and quality of evidence provided, and logical reasoning.

Additional Notes

Ensure to create a supportive environment where every student feels comfortable sharing ideas.
Provide scaffolding for students who may need assistance with writing.

This lesson plan is structured to engage Grade 4 students through active learning, collaboration, and individual writing, all while aligning with national educational standards.