The First Coconut Tree
Learning Objectives: to compare and contrast identities by answering the essential question, "How can I describe and compare my group identities with those of other people?"
Language Objectives: students will compare and contrast their identities after viewing media and reading excerpts. Students will then write a comparative paragraph using a Venn diagram in partners or groups of 3.
Lesson Plan Outline:
- Preview vocabulary words for a word web using a Frayer model graphic organizer:
imagine, malformed, cleverness, unexpected, rapidly - The First Coconut Tree by Nancy Bo Flood as a whole group while annotating in the margins. The second reading will focus on "annolighting," annotating and highlighting, to identify critical information throughout the text to find main ideas and details.
- Listen and read StoryCorps: I Tried to Hide my Stutter by Taro Alexander.
- Listen and read StoryCorps: Mitchel's Sister is Deaf by Debbie Watterson and Mitchel Watterson.
- Write comparative paragraphs using support from the texts as well as personal experience. Students must write a topic sentence with three supporting details in each paragraph in addition to transition words.