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Lesson Plans

Abbi Freeman | Abbi's Plan | Tutor's comments

Abbi's plan

Name Abbi Freeman Level Mid Intermediate Date 03 11 2004 Course Day 18
Stage Inter action Mins Procedure Aim
Lead-in
OC
5
•How do you decide what books to read, films to see, albums to buy? Recommendations, friends, reviews...? •Introduce topic
•Activate SS's language
Pre-task reading
OC

SS


OC
2
•T provides SS with model review of The Da Vinci Code
•Have they read the book?
•SS read review, answer questions 1) Is it a good review? 2) what is the book about? 3) Does it make you want to read it?
•Confirm answers as WC
•Focus SS on model text

•Pre-task gist questions to gauge knowledge and understanding
Task 1
SSx2
8
•In pairs, identify information reviews contain
•Report back to class
•Information placed on board
•SS identify info provided in reviews ["in preparation for writing stage," Vicki added]
Task 2
SSx2


OC
5

•SS re-examine model and identify structure, role of each paragraph (Intro, Factual paragraph, Opinion, Conclusion/recommendation)
•Report back to class

•SS identify structure of written review

Structured practice
SSx2
5
•New pairs, given new model review cut up into 4 paragraphs. SS put back into correct order [see Note 1, Note 2] •SS confirm and practice recognition of structure
Task 3a
SSx1
5
•SS write notes under each heading [see Task 2, above] on book they will write review for [see Note 3]
Task 3b
SSx1
5
•SS write full review using notes and key phrases from models (2-3 sentences each ending only) [see Note 4]
•SS write review
•T monitors with error correction and support
Error correction
SSx2
5
•SS swap reviews and help each other with error correction •SS help each other with correction
Feedback
OC
15
•SS's review pinned up around the classroom
•SS go round the class, read reviews
•As OC decide which book they would read
•SS give feedback on other reviews

Notes

  1. Abbi's instructions here, Vicki noted, did not make clear what they had to do. Actually demonstrating might have avoided this (fairly major!) mistake.
  2. Vicki felt that it would have been better to have chosen a bad review, rather than a second good one.
  3. Having a dictionary or two at hand would have been a good idea. Abbi could, obviously, have provided the words, spelling, etc, but we want to encourage what we call "learner autonomy".
  4. "This is where you need to feed in some typical review language -'it takes place in...', 'the book deals with...'," Vicki suggested.
The following notes are added for the user; they did not form part of the original lesson plan.
  • Abbreviations used: T Teacher SS Students SSx3 (etc) Students in groups of 3 OC Open class
  • The above plan is reproduced as faithfully as possible to the original
  • The above should not necessarily be seen as a model, "perfect" lesson plan. Rather, it should be read in conjunction with Abbi's comments, those of her tutor Vicki Anderson and the materials used (not reproduced). It is the combination of lesson plan , materials and good classroom management that make a good lesson.