ESL Lesson Plan - Vygotsky
This lesson plan utilizes the ideas of Vygotsky, in that it is centered upon social
interaction in the classroom and group work, with students tutoring each other.
Theme:
Poetry Writing
Materials:
Pre-typed Poems, poster paper, markers in different colours, pencils, paper.
Time Frame: One hour
Procedure:
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Teacher places the classroom in heterogeneous groups of four. Each
group gets four copies of the same poem (each group works with a
different poem).
Teacher asks group members to read the poem silently to themselves and
decide which type of font they would like to read. The poem is written with
lines typed in different fonts
The group then reads aloud, each taking turns by the type of font they
chose. The person whose font matches the font of the title/author reads
the title and author line, starting the round robin of the poem.
After first reading the teacher asks to re-read the poem silently and to (1)
think about what the poem says to them and (2) create two questions
about the poem. Students who are able can write their responses.
Students re-read poem aloud as before.
Teacher reviews Round Robin ground rules and shows an exemplar
response written on the board (for those who may not want or be able to
fully respond).
Students now do two more round robin sharing rounds.
Each person takes a turn telling the group what the poem said to them or
meant to them during the first round.
In the second round, each person takes a turn asking the two questions
they created about the poem.
Groups are given time to engage in discussion about the varied meanings
and about the questions they asked about the poem.
The teacher then asks the groups to select: 2 quotes, 2 statements, 2
images from the poem, and 2 symbols. This is done cooperatively.
Groups then create a Mind Map poster. This is an outline of a head on a
poster paper with the students writing inside the outline. Students
represent their 2 quotes, 2 statements, 2 images and 2 symbols creatively
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on the poster. All students must take a role in this part. Each participant is
given a different coloured marker and each colour is to be on the poster.
When students are done with the posters, the groups are to come to the
front of the classroom and show their poster. The groups will then read
their poem aloud to the rest of the class in the round robin with their preselected roles. Then the group explains their Mind Map to the class, each
person explaining one of the four segments.
Measurement:
Teachers can assess student progress many ways.
Teachers can watch for how the groups work together, and note the types of
questions other students are able to finish the assignment with.
Teachers can also assess the final product.
As well, during the presenting part of the lesson teachers can assess the
students' oral presentation of their poster and compare it to the poem they read.
Adapted from lesson : http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/dailylp/lang.shtml