ESL Lesson Plan: Individual Work - Realistic Fiction: Antonio's First Day of School
Grade Level
Grade 3
Topic
Realistic Fiction - Antonio's First Day of School
Learning Objective
Students will be able to understand the elements of realistic fiction and express their thoughts and emotions about a character's experience through creative writing.
Individual Work Activity: "Create Your Own First Day Story"
Overview
In this individual work activity, students will use their imagination to create a short story based on their understanding of Antonio's first day of school. They will relate to Antonio's feelings and experiences while infusing their personal touch into a narrative of their own.
Materials Needed
- Writing paper or notebooks
- Pencils or pens
- Colored markers or crayons
- Example story of Antonio's First Day of School (read as a class beforehand)
- Word bank (with vocabulary related to feelings, school, and first-day experiences)
Steps
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Briefly review the main events from the story of Antonio's First Day of School.
- Remind students of key vocabulary words related to feelings (e.g., excited, nervous, happy, scared) that were used in the example story.
2. Setting the Scene (5 minutes)
- Ask students to think about their own first day of school. What did they feel? What was exciting? What was scary?
- Allow them to share a couple of their thoughts with a partner, fostering peer interaction.
3. Writing Instructions (10 minutes)
- Instruct students to write their own short story about their first day of school, incorporating elements of realistic fiction.
- Encourage them to use vivid descriptions, emotions, and any interesting events that occurred. Remind them to refer to the word bank for help.
4. Story Elements to Include (10 minutes)
- Character: Who is the main character? (It can be themselves or a fictional character)
- Setting: Where does the story take place? (Their school)
- Plot: What happens during their first day?
- Conflict: What challenge or fear do they face?
- Resolution: How do they feel by the end of the day?
5. Time to Write (20 minutes)
- Allow students time to draft their stories. Circulate around the classroom to provide support and answer any questions.
6. Illustration (10 minutes)
- After writing, students can illustrate a scene from their story. Remind them that their drawings should represent an important part of their narrative.
7. Sharing (Optional - 15 minutes)
- Some students can volunteer to share their stories with the class, while others may choose to read to a partner. Provide positive feedback and encourage appropriate listening behavior.
Assessment
- Collect the stories and illustrations to assess understanding of realistic fiction elements.
- Use a simple rubric:
- Creativity and Imagination (4 points)
- Understanding of Story Elements (4 points)
- Use of Vocabulary (4 points)
- Illustration Quality (4 points)
Conclusion
In this individual work activity, students engage with the concept of realistic fiction while reflecting on their own experiences. By creating their own narratives, they practice writing skills, enhance creativity, and gain confidence in expressing their thoughts through storytelling.
This organized, step-by-step approach ensures that students are engaged and supported during their individual work, aligning well with the SIOP model principles.